Interview with Bruce Benson

[Buffnik]

Somewhat interesting. So much comes down to the state funding issue. Around $300 million for the university this year going down to $135 million next year. Considering that, I understand that the impetus from the CU president's office needs to be things like the building of the new university hospital, growth of the satellite campuses, increases in research partnerships, expansion of the university with new dorms and graduate programs, and bringing in more international students who pay a tuition premium.

However, I hope that Benson also understands that success in football and to a lesser extent men's basketball drive interest in the university which stimulates both applications and alumni/booster enthusiasm. Can those benefits be quantified? Have they been quantified to him? Because without laying out this case, I'm not sure that he's going to see it as being as big of deal for the financial situation as being the lead university on a research project.

There are difficult budget issues facing CU and they are getting worse. Will athletics, particularly facility projects for athletics, be put off to focus on other priorities? Will the AD be allowed to pursue boosters without the university administration getting involved to say that a portion (or all) of the donation should be directed to academic priorities instead - or blocking it if the AD pursues a booster who has traditionally been a donor to the academic side?

http://blogs.denverpost.com/college...ident-bruce-benson-additional-material/22524/

 

[Buffnik]

More of the Benson interview: http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_19527336

Controversial on the Hawk retention response, imo. If the president of the company and his #2 say they're leaning a certain way, that's an order no matter how you spin it. Besides, reports are of meddling way beyond the spin in that interview.

 

[btbuff]

More of the Benson interview: http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_19527336

Controversial on the Hawk retention response, imo. If the president of the company and his #2 say they're leaning a certain way, that's an order no matter how you spin it. Besides, reports are of meddling way beyond the spin in that interview.

Agree. I thought his comment that it was misunderstood was simply wrong. He and Phil gave an order. No other way to look at it, even if he didn't hand deliver it to Bohn.

 

[leftybuff]

This interview just confirms to me CU is led by a bunch of pols...always looking first and foremost to cover their backsides, then see to it they are taken care of, then, try to please everybody and finally, hope the job gets done, in that order. Leaders get the job done, and all the rest follows, except the pleasing everybody part, only a pol worries about that counterproductive and unbtainable goal......

 

[sackman]

CU is a de-facto private institution at this stage of the game anyway. They stopped relying on funding from the state more than 10 years ago. We all get the calls from the CU Foundation, and those calls aren't going to stop anytime soon. The athletic department is self-funding, and in reality is a source of revenue for the university as a whole. Outside funded facilities expansion does nothing to hurt funding of the school itself. In fact, it enhances it.

 

[absinthe]

More of the Benson interview: http://www.denverpost.com/colleges/ci_19527336

Controversial on the Hawk retention response, imo. If the president of the company and his #2 say they're leaning a certain way, that's an order no matter how you spin it. Besides, reports are of meddling way beyond the spin in that interview.

I am dumb enough to argue "leaning" and to make people even my bosses turn them verbally into orders, and certainly I would have in Mike's shoes.

 

[Buffalo Brad]

Time is now to make some official announcements. Do it during the recruiting final push. Bury the CSEwe new coach stories. Be a big boy school and get the support out on the table and finally show the commitment to sports. I am tired of hearing it is important and not see any progress.

 

[buffsyko]

Same old, same old at CU. Talk a big game and it's more of the same BS. Always a step behind in athletics.

 

[Darth Snow]

Same old, same old at CU. Talk a big game and it's more of the same BS. Always a step behind in athletics.

That want even talking a big game. That was pure "we don't care"

 

[sackman]

That interview was really just a bunch of talk. Nothing concrete. A lot of platitudes about wanting to be the best, blah, blah, blah. Until I see some real action, that's all it is. A lot of talk. We've had a lot of talk the last 15 years. Basically ever since Gordon Gee left. Just a lot of talk. I'm not sure they know how to do anything else, frankly.