U of A and ABOR: Hi, we haven’t met. But I really feel for the position you’re in. Really (ask me how I know…). This probably feels like a devil’s bargain to you, and you know that behind that shriveled carrot is a very large stick. In boardrooms, you’re hearing “we need to stay off the radar” and “if we don’t take the extra money, someone else will get it,” and “we need to think of the institution.” You’re probably worried not taking it paints a big ‘ol target on your back. You’re probably losing sleep. You might feel like there’s no one you can talk to about this outside of your small circle.
Putting you in this no-win situation is the point. Was it bad luck you’re one of the nine? Is it precisely because you complied in advance? Who knows, and it doesn’t really matter anyway. You’re in this situation now.
One thing we can be sure of is that if you sign this thing, this isn’t over. This is likely some think tank’s Step 3 of a multi-step process to give public universities a choice: break along OUR fault lines or die.
I’ve read that ten page compact, basically fell asleep with it in my hands last night as I obsessed over my finger-smudged copy. It leaves a lot of doors open to suppress academic freedom, and closes a lot of doors to students who don’t fit their mold, doesn’t it. You are all smart people, you can see what the ramifications are here, what they’re trying to do. You know it won’t stop with this, why build a tool if you aren’t going to use it?
Don’t sign it.
Don’t.
This administration has a history of not following through on their carrots, and you’re going to get the stick NO MATTER WHAT. We’ve seen this across the board, that the early adopters of these policies were not spared consequences. Now we’ve seen they’ve been made into examples.
Do you want the U of A to be what shows the country what Steps 4, 5, and 6 looks like? Do you want to be Ground Zero for the dismantling of any academic program Steven Miller doesn’t like? Do you want to be the University that is overrun with federal goons arresting students because they’re “Antifa?”
If the next 3+ years are going to be difficult anyway, regardless of signing or not signing that compact from Hades, then make them 3+ years where you’ve upheld the values you were committed to; the values your staff, faculty, students and community believe you are a beacon of. Make this 3+ years one of principled defiance and not of obsequious compliance.
Just remember our roots as a University run deep and have met the needs of this State proudly. Don't think this compact won't cone without further entanglements.
Regarding what's next: nobody knows what is next from a Mob Boss who bribes others in order to get his way. John Schaefer, former UA President described Trump's "deal" with the UA as a "poison apple" in his column today in the ADS. Schaefer said UA should not sign it.
The hypocrite in Chief said he wanted to get the federal government out of education; even abolish the Department of Education. His actions tell a different story: He wants to run our colleges and universities.
Agree with basically everyone. Sign NOTHING. They are coming after the UA for several reasons including its location in Tucson/Pima County which is a known hotbed of Pinko Patriots. Viva la GUERRA!!! The Chump administration probably thinks the new UA Prez will be pliable. BE STRONG! This is another example of McCarthyism. Meet the new boss...same as the old boss.
So now Tom Crosby wants a trial delay because of a "hernia operation". BS. This was ginned up as another distraction for Crosby to skate. The Crosby that needed a hernia operation was Pittsburgh Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby. Successful by all accounts. Tom Crosby is a LIAR. Hold his feet to the FIRE.
U of A and ABOR: Hi, we haven’t met. But I really feel for the position you’re in. Really (ask me how I know…). This probably feels like a devil’s bargain to you, and you know that behind that shriveled carrot is a very large stick. In boardrooms, you’re hearing “we need to stay off the radar” and “if we don’t take the extra money, someone else will get it,” and “we need to think of the institution.” You’re probably worried not taking it paints a big ‘ol target on your back. You’re probably losing sleep. You might feel like there’s no one you can talk to about this outside of your small circle.
Putting you in this no-win situation is the point. Was it bad luck you’re one of the nine? Is it precisely because you complied in advance? Who knows, and it doesn’t really matter anyway. You’re in this situation now.
One thing we can be sure of is that if you sign this thing, this isn’t over. This is likely some think tank’s Step 3 of a multi-step process to give public universities a choice: break along OUR fault lines or die.
I’ve read that ten page compact, basically fell asleep with it in my hands last night as I obsessed over my finger-smudged copy. It leaves a lot of doors open to suppress academic freedom, and closes a lot of doors to students who don’t fit their mold, doesn’t it. You are all smart people, you can see what the ramifications are here, what they’re trying to do. You know it won’t stop with this, why build a tool if you aren’t going to use it?
Don’t sign it.
Don’t.
This administration has a history of not following through on their carrots, and you’re going to get the stick NO MATTER WHAT. We’ve seen this across the board, that the early adopters of these policies were not spared consequences. Now we’ve seen they’ve been made into examples.
Do you want the U of A to be what shows the country what Steps 4, 5, and 6 looks like? Do you want to be Ground Zero for the dismantling of any academic program Steven Miller doesn’t like? Do you want to be the University that is overrun with federal goons arresting students because they’re “Antifa?”
If the next 3+ years are going to be difficult anyway, regardless of signing or not signing that compact from Hades, then make them 3+ years where you’ve upheld the values you were committed to; the values your staff, faculty, students and community believe you are a beacon of. Make this 3+ years one of principled defiance and not of obsequious compliance.
Do not sign it.
Just remember our roots as a University run deep and have met the needs of this State proudly. Don't think this compact won't cone without further entanglements.
Just BEAR DOWN and say No.
Regarding what's next: nobody knows what is next from a Mob Boss who bribes others in order to get his way. John Schaefer, former UA President described Trump's "deal" with the UA as a "poison apple" in his column today in the ADS. Schaefer said UA should not sign it.
The hypocrite in Chief said he wanted to get the federal government out of education; even abolish the Department of Education. His actions tell a different story: He wants to run our colleges and universities.
Agree with basically everyone. Sign NOTHING. They are coming after the UA for several reasons including its location in Tucson/Pima County which is a known hotbed of Pinko Patriots. Viva la GUERRA!!! The Chump administration probably thinks the new UA Prez will be pliable. BE STRONG! This is another example of McCarthyism. Meet the new boss...same as the old boss.
So now Tom Crosby wants a trial delay because of a "hernia operation". BS. This was ginned up as another distraction for Crosby to skate. The Crosby that needed a hernia operation was Pittsburgh Penguins Captain Sidney Crosby. Successful by all accounts. Tom Crosby is a LIAR. Hold his feet to the FIRE.