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14 years 7 months
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The moment to stop caring…

The moment to stop caring about SAT scores--yours, or anyone else's--is when you're done with the college application process.   Caring about, boasting about, or comparing scores after that point is silly, and doing so decades later is beyond laughable.  I'm thrilled that guy got kicked out.

I feel compelled to nitpick:…

I feel compelled to nitpick:

The MSU president was not fired. 

Indeed, some of the board tried to fire him, but they did not succeed.  The episode revealed ugly infighting on the board, and a short time later he said NOPE THIS IS NOT FOR ME and resigned.  Things are a mess up there but, for what it is worth, he was able to make the choice to go.  I know this seems like a small point, but have we not spent the last decade telling people in other fanbases that Lloyd Carr was not fired?

And why this has f-all to do with football, I will add that we should all be concerned about the presidential situation.  I can't imagine what kind of person would be eager to be in that pool of presidential candidates, knowing the kind of board he or she will have to work with, and how they operate when they want change but can't work out a reasonable course of action between themselves.  It's bad, and MSU is at risk of not being able to the attract strong, experienced leadership they deserve.

While the dominance of…

While the dominance of sports on campus may have been an adjustment, I feel like people conveniently overlook what a hoops nut he was. 

 

This writeup has me feeling…

This writeup has me feeling so bad for them it might interfere with my enjoyment of the game

Huh.  I am pretty sure I'm…

Huh.  I am pretty sure I'm paying for Peacock (kid needed it for fantasy premier league) but also have Xfinity.

This would align with the fact that I apparently have TWO subscriptions to the same national newspaper.  

I need a service that goes through all your subscriptions each month and figures out what's superfluous and also helps you evaluate usage/ROI, and then does the legwork of telling which ones to f*ck off

Not just southern teams, I'm…

Not just southern teams, I'm worried about our new Big 10 rivals UCLA

It's a high-risk, high…

It's a high-risk, high-reward job in which "good people" get fired sometimes.  If this is unjust--and I'm not saying it is in this case, I don't know, I can't say it LOOKS like it but I admit I don't know all the details--I am only going to cry so many tears.  Head coaching a high-profile college program is a wackadoodle job and you take this job knowing your career can turn on a dime.  Would it be better if that weren't so?  Sure.  Add it to the list of things we should probably reform in college sports--but honestly, I probably won't put it as high on my list as the other things we should reform.  One reason is that good people (hell, even bad people) tend to land on their feet eventually in another position close to the sport they love--often a lucrative one.

 

To me, I have a hard time…

To me, I have a hard time seeing how the U would justify retaining Pearson.  Maybe there's some big contextual factors we don't know about.

As an employee of the University I want to see the U address Bancroft's behavior and how that was allowed to persist through the inaction of people who should have acted.  Whether or not that is a factor in Pearson's status, that can't be ignored.  Address it separately, but ADDRESS IT; it's another way the institution failed its employees.  I love the University but I'm tired of that list getting longer.

Ono won't be here until…

Ono won't be here until October.  He is meeting with EOs via zoom but he's not the president yet.  Perhaps Manuel does want Ono to weigh in, and perhaps that's already happened or will happen soon--but he can't be waiting for Ono to "get settled" because that's months off.  

It's easy to forget the timeline of transition because Ono has been on the charm offensive on Twitter, posting a lot about UM and what he's looking forward to. But he's a ways off yet!

Seems to be some basic…

Seems to be some basic assumptions in several replies that Schlissel doesn't understand/get/care about sports.  Where does that come from?  Maybe he's indifferent to football but he is a pretty huge basketball fan.

"Do not expect a year three…

"Do not expect a year three"

immediately begins wondering about a year three

FWIW I am told that there…

FWIW I am told that there was substantial discussion about making a student's aid status one of the explicit qualifying conditions.  They decided against it.

If students have a high need they may very well have a good case for why they need to stay which they can make in the application.  Maybe it's a financial hardship to move home midyear, maybe their Wifi at home is terrible, maybe they don't have a good learning environment at home because they don't have their own room/desk, etc.

If they truly want to de-densify the residence halls, it's problematic to give any group an automatic qualification to stay, because even those within that group who could easily move might stay, eliminating options for others who need to stay. 

"driven solely by money"
I'm…

"driven solely by money"

I'm not sure I agree with you on this.  But as a point of principle, I hope people realize that decisions about "money" are not about personal greed.  Money is what you need to hopefully not lay off 850 people like UMass did.  To not cut library collections by over $2M like Penn State did.  To not cut programs or courses that would lengthen student's time to degree.  That kind of thing.  When the administration worries about money, it's because they feel a stewardship to protect UM's greatest assets (its people) and other assets like collections and programs and initiatives that make UM what it is.  They're trying to preserve UM for what it is.

I completely get that many people believe that the health and safety risks around the pandemic are so great that there are only a few appropriate paths forward, and that considering any fiscal factors in decision-making in this climate will always be inappropriate.  I understand that.  I'm not arguing that money is more important that life.  Just trying to make the point that budget decisions aren't about avarice.

 

Whatever you think about…

Whatever you think about what governors/states SHOULD be doing, I recognize that public universities are in very difficult limbo here.  These institutions very much WANT to be able to offer classes on campuses.  But if the actual pandemic conditions (or state regulatory responses) make that impossible, they need resources to make remote operations happen in a robust way.  One of the most precious of these resources being TIME.

By making the call now, the CSU system just ended the uncertainty.  They can start moving boldly ahead to transition course content, adjust curriculum, invest in necessary technology.  They can also commence creative planning now to make as much of the "co-curricular" stuff online as they possibly can.

The decision also allows current and incoming CSU system students to start making plans to move on if they think they can do face-to-face on another campus.  Then the CSUs can consider whether they want to revisit their own admissions decisions for new freshman and transfers, to replace those students.

It had to have been a difficult decision to make, but having made the decision a whole bunch of things can go from being "what if we have to" to "How can we do this well." 

Absolutely.  Let's say I…

Absolutely.  Let's say I give U-M an endowed fund to support research for pediatric cancer.  I could do lots of things with this money, but I gave it this way because I'm passionate about this cause and I've chosen U-M because I believe they can leverage my investment into effective treatments, maybe even a cure.   (this particular example is pretty relevant because about half of U-M's endowment is just for the Michigan Medicine part of the university). 

Anyway, now imagine I call up and say "how are things going, what kind of progress has my investment made?"  What I hear is "we decided to use your funds to discount tuition for everyone this year.  It won't cure cancer and it won't help future generations of students, either, but it went over very well among the student body."  Well, that's heartwarming on a certain level, but it's unlikely to inspire my future giving.  Or other people's, not from anyone who want to direct their donations to specific priorities.

People give for a certain reason. They get inspired by specific things, like the Marching band or study abroad opportunities or research to solve global issues or outreach to Detroit or scholarships for former foster kids who want to study engineering.  They want the university to do more great things or make those great things accessible to more students, and so they designate their money to fund them.  They allow the University to do more than what your tuition dollars would fund.



 

No, I don't think the other…

No, I don't think the other 50% can go to pay furloughed workers.  The guidance seems to be that it has to be tied to expenses incurred due to the shutdown/shift to remote education.  Paying workers is an ongoing expense, and bringing back a furloughed worker is probably stretching the intent.

You could use it for housing expenses that are no longer being paid for by fees (since some student fees were reimbursed)--the CARES act specifically says that's okay-- but other options would be the tech you had to buy for students whose laptops weren't robust enough to online education, hotspots installed for quarantined students, lab supplies/design kits you had to mail to students' homes, additional lecture-capture technology, PPE for staff or students, testing apparatus like temperature sensors, etc.

I can't speak for other…

I can't speak for other universities, but U-M can't really shutter a bunch of buildings and stop paying utilities and furlough all the people who maintain them. 

In some buildings, faculty continued to need access to their classrooms/labs in order to teach their classes through Winter term.  Many research labs still need to be powered, even if researchers aren't in them--and these are scattered throughout campus, not concentrated in one building.  Any buildings where collections are stored also need consistent temp/humidity maintained.   That's every museum, every library. 

 

Last year softball had some…

Last year softball had some early trouble in the season.  Later Hutch talked about how that was good for the team.  Learning how to deal with adversity, bouncing back, taking nothing for granted.   

I know that's traditional "coach speak" but I'll take it.

Like you I have been puzzled…

Like you I have been puzzled by stuff like this.  However, I think that's how Hutch operates, particularly early in the season.  She tries different stuff, takes some chances.  I think she's also prepared to send the message to any player that they can get pulled from the lineup--and it also sends the message to any player than they can potentially break into the lineup, too.

DPSS is law enforcement. …

DPSS is law enforcement.  While it is valid to raise questions of potential conflict of interest or bias, it is not valid to suggest that they lack equipment, experience or training.  DPSS includes a cadre of sworn officers.  If you still have questions about whether they're conventionally trained, it might be helpful to know that partner with other LEOs in the area for a lot of training.

Also, I don't think it's fair to say that OIE staff have no experience or training.  They are highly trained in exactly this kind of work.

But even if they weren't up to snuff, the U got an outside firm to investigate so there wouldn't be questions of OIE's work (since it normally reports to the provost)

If you're alleging that Jim…

If you're alleging that Jim Duderstadt is continuing to work against the athletic department, I don't think that is true.  He has his space at the U to do some of the things he cares about deeply, and he continues to write provocative pieces that may challenge some of the status quo in higher ed.  But I have seen no evidence that he has serious or high-level influence on campus policy or priorities as it relates to athletics.

I knew who it had to be the…

I knew who it had to be the minute you said he was heckling the band

 

If they live in the U.S. I…

If they live in the U.S. I would assume there were some complications that required a longer hospital stay.  If not with mom, maybe with baby.  I know I got a little extra time after things went a little sideways, and our wee one stayed a week  (we are both fine now, except for the health problems associated with being a Michigan fan lately)

Natalia Rodriguez scored her…

Natalia Rodriguez scored her first collegiate home run against the Huskies! Talk about clutch.  That girl is usually a slapper but she bombed that sucker over the fence like nobody’s business.

Geez that mantis thing kind…

Geez that mantis thing kind of messed me up.

This sounds dopey, but I…

This sounds dopey, but I swear it can help your reputation at work:  Look busy and dedicated.  If you are heading somewhere, walk quickly.  Occasionally furrow your brow, carry a folder, that kind of thing. 

Of course, I would also say you should put genuine effort into your job.  But don't forget to project your good work ethic to people who may only see you occasionally or briefly during the day.

I gotta remember to sign on…

I gotta remember to sign on and take my turns this weekend.  I'm a four-star, my alma mater needs me!

Pseudointellectual checking

Pseudointellectual checking in!

Rats, I forgot to sign on

Rats, I forgot to sign on yesterday! 



Thanks for having the Sunday assignments active before 10 am.  I defended Deep Springs college just as ordered!

One of the CFB off-topic

One of the CFB off-topic communities yesterday claimed UM hacked some other teams something or other.  I don't know what it is, I'm too old to understand BUT before you dismiss me I proudly rock my FOUR STAR RATING.



Anyway, I will definitely not reveal to anyone, ANYONE, even someone who spies on this group, that I was told to defend Mary Baldwin College or my delight over their Fightin' Squirrels mascot.

Ugh, you just made me upvote

Ugh, you just made me upvote a comment that said having Tate Forcier back would be desirable.



THE THINGS MY MICHIGAN FANDOM MAKES ME DO

I just clawed my way to four

I just clawed my way to four stars.  And you should have seen the grim smile on my face when I saw today's assignment was ATTACK OHIO STATE

This is my personal challenge

This is my personal challenge right now.  For Mother's Day, my family completely ripped out everything in an overgrown, problematic flowerbed.  It was a lot of work and I appreciate it.  But now I have this blank plot of land, 9' by 20' on a steep slope that I have to turn into something.   Something attractive, erosion-resistant, and neglect-tolerant.  That's because every year I start the season with hope and ambition and by mid-July I'm tired of it.



We seem to be paralyzed by options.

Currently upvoting you like

Currently upvoting you like I'm your crazy stalker ex-girlfriend!

I agree

Given the absolutely disastrous track record seen around the Nasser cases, we should applaud when MSU appears to seriously address an incident of sexual assault on its campus.  But we should not accept as "unbelievable" the concept that when they do handle a case, it will only err in the direction of leniency.

I have no idea if this man's claims have merit, but the idea that no accused student  could in any way be ill-served by MSU's process is hardly "unbelievable" to me.

Me too!

Cackled with glee when I saw today's map, too.

THREE STARS

I updated my sub karma and other stuff and now feel INVINCIBLE!  Three stars baby!  

I barely know what I'm doing

I barely know what I'm doing but I go in and get my orders and make my click every weekday!



An alliance with Clemson is physically painful to me, but one does what one must

Good luck on your

Good luck on your recovery.



I don't know if I can get over the idea of you being in the south, the cradle of good eatin', and ingesting nothing but oranges.

I am not sure why their



I am not sure why their postseason play was so off (suddenly, errors & cold bats) but this has still been an enjoyable team to follow.  

Whoever floated the idea that we should shitcan Hutch, that gave me the kind of laugh I don't normally get to have on a Monday morning, so thank you very much for the comedy.

Yeah, my gut feeling is that

Yeah, my gut feeling is that if she didn't have to focus on pitching, she could have become an even better hitter.

Moron checking in.
My

Moron checking in.



My marching orders were "attack connecticut"

Okay, first challenge was remember where CT was.  Once I solved that, I saw that the territory was currently held by Ohio State.  I'd be more than happy to attack those guys.... but it doesn't give me that option.  It shows me other schools I could attack (or defend) but not OSU.



So real slow for the natural blonde:  What am I supposed to do here?

Economics guy took a shortcut

As a squirrel has now pointed out, Economist guy sourced his tuition numbers from some third-party site which wasn't up to date 100%



EMU eliminated nonresident tuition differentials in 2016.  He may tweak his numbers going forward.

 

I was recently at an event

I was recently at an event where president Schlissel was making remarks. He recalled emails he got last year from alums saying Beilein had lost his edge and should be DONE as a coach,

I stare at those empty chair

I stare at those empty chair backs and wonder who has to die for me to get them.



Are yours chairbacks?



If so, how’s your health lately?

I will give him the nod in

I will give him the nod in rowing. It is unwatchable (regardless of men’s or women’s) and crew afficionados will admit the same. Nothing to do with quality.



Otherwise, you are right to push back.

This sounds pretty dismissive

This sounds pretty dismissive of a program that has been in the national spotlight for a long time AND which is unusual for its region. Most of the top softball teams in the country don’t have to travel for the first month of each season to avoid playing in snow.

I am headed to Louisville for

I am headed to Louisville for the weekend and am afraid we will have trouble watching the UM-Wisconsin game on Saturday.



I checked prior threads to see if there is a "UM bar" but it appears there isn't one.  If someone wants to correct that notion I am all ears.

Good

I wondered what her salary would be after seeing what OU was paying. I know there's a championship bonus in that deal but it still felt like a benchmark to pay attention to. Hutch absolutely deserves it.

Good news!

Even though I knew she wasn't going anywhere, I was antsy about this getting her signed for another 5.  Glad it's done.

They had a great weekend up in Traverse City!  Both the new freshman pitchers got some game time, and so did the other freshmen.