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/
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/