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Courant: [Edit: w/in past month]FOIA- UConn no documents concerning the Big 12 - BE4evah - 02-16-2016 01:47 PM
http://www.courant.com/sports/hc-jeff-jacobs-column-0216-20160216-column.html
"The Courant did make a Freedom of Information request for similar information about UConn attempts to get into the Power Five and was told there was no relevant documents."
While the Cincy documents and President Santa Ono's words indicate that Cincinnati is a lock for the Big 12, it looks like UConn, contrary to some information out there, has not made the same sort of push to join the Big 12. While bloggers and message board posters claim that they have insider sources, etc., it looks like there is no there there for UConn. The Cincy FOIA request even concerned meal receipts, travel expenses, etc. Those are the sort of documents that even if one avoided the use of email, one could not help but generate.
My guess is that one of the Florida schools, Memphis or Houston is the target for number 12.
Edited to add:
Unbelievably, the Courant only requested documents from Jan. 1, 2016. So this FOIA request is comical. I expected better from the newspaper.
http://www.courant.com/sports/college/hc-jacobs-column-susan-herbst-power-5-0218-20160217-column.html
"This is a request under the Connecticut Freedom of Information Act for copies of all emails, letters, memos or other communications including text messages that were sent or received by Warde Manuel, Susan Herbst, Rachel Rubin or Mike Tranghese, and/or any other individuals associated with UConn or any of its allied organizations such as the UConn Foundation concerning UConn's entry into the Big 12 Conference and/or any Power Five conference. I request the above documents from Jan. 1, 2016, to the present."
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - CenterSquarEd - 02-16-2016 01:53 PM
To avoid registration, hop through the Googles: https://www.google.com/webhp#q=Jeff+Jacobs+documents+show+cincinnati+pushing+hard+for+power+5
RE: Hartford Courant: UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - uconnwhaler - 02-16-2016 01:55 PM
(02-16-2016 01:47 PM)BE4evah Wrote: http://www.courant.com/sports/hc-jeff-jacobs-column-0216-20160216-column.html
"The Courant did make a Freedom of Information request for similar information about UConn attempts to get into the Power Five and was told there was no relevant documents."
While the Cincy documents and President Santa Ono's words indicate that Cincinnati is a lock for the Big 12, it looks like UConn, contrary to some information out there, has no had any of the same sort of push to join the Big 12. While bloggers and message board posters claim that they have insider sources, etc., it looks like there is no there there for UConn. The Cincy FOIA request even concerned meal receipts, travel expenses, etc. Those are the sort of documents that even if one avoided the use of email, one could not help but generate.
My guess is that one of the Florida schools, Memphis or Houston is the target for number 12.
A non-response to a FOIA doesn't necessarily mean much in Connecticut. For example, the request could have been overly broad (e.g. 'get into a Power 5 conference,' which UConn can argue it doesn't recognize), overly narrow, or just requested the wrong terms. Given that this is the Courant and they have experience with FOIA's, that is unlikely. The are three other possibilities: (i) in Connecticut, if the requested subject matter is related to any sort of negotiation the documents don't need to be disclosed; (ii) they have gotten smarter and are using surrogates (like hiring Tranghese, consultants, etc., which we know that they have done); or (iii) there are no documents related to getting into a P5.
Of all of those, (iii) is the most unlikely. You cannot tell me that UConn has made no efforts to get into the P5, particularly when our AD has been public about his desire to see us in one shortly. Therefore, (i) and (ii) are the most likely. In short, the lack of FOIA documents is irrelevant. If anything, one can argue that Cincinnati leadership putting such documents out there may be doing a bit of public CYA ("hey, you saw the receipts, we did everything in our power").
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - C2__ - 02-16-2016 02:00 PM
That's because they've been messed with and shredded and coded language used esoterically that only those involved knows what it means. That's my conspiracy theory and I'm sticking to it.
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents - UConnHusky - 02-16-2016 02:17 PM
UConn's reply to BE4evah:
![[Image: b3fcd77e7ee2ad958ba45ff2ad6aa0e7.jpg]](https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/b3/fc/d7/b3fcd77e7ee2ad958ba45ff2ad6aa0e7.jpg)
RE: Hartford Courant: UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - SMUmustangs - 02-16-2016 02:22 PM
(02-16-2016 01:47 PM)BE4evah Wrote: http://www.courant.com/sports/hc-jeff-jacobs-column-0216-20160216-column.html
"The Courant did make a Freedom of Information request for similar information about UConn attempts to get into the Power Five and was told there was no relevant documents."
While the Cincy documents and President Santa Ono's words indicate that Cincinnati is a lock for the Big 12, it looks like UConn, contrary to some information out there, has not made the same sort of push to join the Big 12. While bloggers and message board posters claim that they have insider sources, etc., it looks like there is no there there for UConn. The Cincy FOIA request even concerned meal receipts, travel expenses, etc. Those are the sort of documents that even if one avoided the use of email, one could not help but generate.
My guess is that one of the Florida schools, Memphis or Houston is the target for number 12.
I think to say it looks like Cincy is a lock for the Big12, is wishful thinking at this point.
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - Attackcoog - 02-16-2016 02:30 PM
(02-16-2016 01:55 PM)uconnwhaler Wrote:(02-16-2016 01:47 PM)BE4evah Wrote: http://www.courant.com/sports/hc-jeff-jacobs-column-0216-20160216-column.html
"The Courant did make a Freedom of Information request for similar information about UConn attempts to get into the Power Five and was told there was no relevant documents."
While the Cincy documents and President Santa Ono's words indicate that Cincinnati is a lock for the Big 12, it looks like UConn, contrary to some information out there, has no had any of the same sort of push to join the Big 12. While bloggers and message board posters claim that they have insider sources, etc., it looks like there is no there there for UConn. The Cincy FOIA request even concerned meal receipts, travel expenses, etc. Those are the sort of documents that even if one avoided the use of email, one could not help but generate.
My guess is that one of the Florida schools, Memphis or Houston is the target for number 12.
A non-response to a FOIA doesn't necessarily mean much in Connecticut. For example, the request could have been overly broad (e.g. 'get into a Power 5 conference,' which UConn can argue it doesn't recognize), overly narrow, or just requested the wrong terms. Given that this is the Courant and they have experience with FOIA's, that is unlikely. The are three other possibilities: (i) in Connecticut, if the requested subject matter is related to any sort of negotiation the documents don't need to be disclosed; (ii) they have gotten smarter and are using surrogates (like hiring Tranghese, consultants, etc., which we know that they have done); or (iii) there are no documents related to getting into a P5.
Of all of those, (iii) is the most unlikely. You cannot tell me that UConn has made no efforts to get into the P5, particularly when our AD has been public about his desire to see us in one shortly. Therefore, (i) and (ii) are the most likely. In short, the lack of FOIA documents is irrelevant. If anything, one can argue that Cincinnati leadership putting such documents out there may be doing a bit of public CYA ("hey, you saw the receipts, we did everything in our power").
Or it could be that all the travel and expenses related to conference realignment are being handed through a private fund created by donors--and all interaction is being handled on private phones and computers purchased and paid for via the personal checking accounts of the AD/prez. There would be no public paper trail. Given the ease of filing for FOIA, and the embarrassing releases of emails related to FOIA requests, it makes sense that university leaders are learning how to play the game under the radar.
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - MWC Tex - 02-16-2016 02:42 PM
just means that Cincy made a paper trail effort to join and UConn has not made the paper trail effort. UConn is a candidate as much as the others but the FOIA won't reveal a paper trail until the invite in offered.
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - Wedge - 02-16-2016 02:47 PM
(02-16-2016 02:17 PM)UConnHusky Wrote: UConn's reply to BE4evah:
And his reply...
![[Image: 58642120.jpg]](http://cdn.meme.am/instances/58642120.jpg)
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - BE4evah - 02-16-2016 03:27 PM
If the President conducts official business on her private email account it is still subject to FOIA.
The Courant is most important newspaper in the state. If any organization knows how to craft a comprehensive request, it would be UConn and their legal staff.
If they used surrogates, then the information transmitted to UConn would be covered. I guess it is possible to only have oral communication in person, but that is very difficult to do. Any phone logs, meal expenses, travel, rental cars, etc. would have to be released.
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - uconnwhaler - 02-16-2016 03:45 PM
(02-16-2016 03:27 PM)BE4evah Wrote: If the President conducts official business on her private email account it is still subject to FOIA.
The Courant is most important newspaper in the state. If any organization knows how to craft a comprehensive request, it would be UConn and their legal staff.
If they used surrogates, then the information transmitted to UConn would be covered. I guess it is possible to only have oral communication in person, but that is very difficult to do. Any phone logs, meal expenses, travel, rental cars, etc. would have to be released.
If you don't think there are ways around a request like this, then I don't know what to tell you. We know that the Kansas State President was in Hartford learning about UConn, its markets and programs because he tweeted about it. But, he was on the surface present for a basketball game so nothing would be subject to FOIA. Likewise, Warde was in Austin for a IMG event. Again, I am sure that he at least had a discussion with UT while there, but was smart enough to couch it in other business. And we also know that have hired consultants on conference realignment, and have designated a member of Herbst's staff to lead realignment efforts. As I noted above, any work that they are doing is outside of FOIA obligations because it can be considered as part of a negotiation. And finally, we also have a wealthy supporter that is on record as providing 'assistance' to UConn regarding conference realignment (this person also has their name on buildings in Storrs) - that too would not be subject to FOIA.
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - Nebraskafan - 02-16-2016 04:13 PM
Oh crap, they had dinner. That must mean it is a done deal.
UCONN has no paper trail. That means there is nothing imminent. A research company can recommend whatever school their own harts desire. It all comes back to getting votes within the Big 12 for expansion.
All of these idiots on Twitter that were saying Cincy and UCONN to the Big 12 is a done deal were being their usual fraudulent selves.
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - GoldenWarrior11 - 02-16-2016 05:29 PM
Did they not look into the local carwash?
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - BE4evah - 02-16-2016 05:51 PM
The Connecticut FOIA does not exempt "negotiations" to join a Power 5 conference.
The Act allows exempt records in three cases where a state unit is negotiating:
1. Litigation;
2. Collective bargaining;
3. Requests for Proposals.
Nowhere does the Act exempt records created by UConn in circumstances surrounding its efforts to get into a major conference.
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - Attackcoog - 02-16-2016 08:21 PM
(02-16-2016 05:51 PM)BE4evah Wrote: The Connecticut FOIA does not exempt "negotiations" to join a Power 5 conference.
The Act allows exempt records in three cases where a state unit is negotiating:
1. Litigation;
2. Collective bargaining;
3. Requests for Proposals.
Nowhere does the Act exempt records created by UConn in circumstances surrounding its efforts to get into a major conference.
They aren't negotiating. They aren't on official business. At most, UConn is selling--at the least, UConn officials are just having conversations. Once the Big12 actually decides to expand, then you might start to have real negotiations, but at this point, I think you could safely say no "negotiations" are occurring. Just having conversations and talking up your school is not necessarily the same as having negotiations or carrying on "official" business.
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - BE4evah - 02-16-2016 08:47 PM
(02-16-2016 08:21 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:(02-16-2016 05:51 PM)BE4evah Wrote: The Connecticut FOIA does not exempt "negotiations" to join a Power 5 conference.
The Act allows exempt records in three cases where a state unit is negotiating:
1. Litigation;
2. Collective bargaining;
3. Requests for Proposals.
Nowhere does the Act exempt records created by UConn in circumstances surrounding its efforts to get into a major conference.
They aren't negotiating. They aren't on official business. At most, UConn is selling--at the least, UConn officials are just having conversations. Once the Big12 actually decides to expand, then you might start to have real negotiations, but at this point, I think you could safely say no "negotiations" are occurring. Just having conversations and talking up your school is not necessarily the same as having negotiations or carrying on "official" business.
If documents are generated where UConn officials are "talking up their school" in an effort to make UConn attractive to a major conference, and the Hartford Courant asked for such documents, UConn has to produce them. Your definition of "official" business is nonsensical and not supported by the law. Any business President Herbst conducts with respect to her official duties implicates the FOIA. And this certainly includes matters that pertain to UConn's conference affiliation. As you may be aware, courts take a wide view of official business, to encompass even mixed business. Transparency and sunshine lie at the heart of our democratic institutions.
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - Attackcoog - 02-16-2016 09:13 PM
(02-16-2016 08:47 PM)BE4evah Wrote:(02-16-2016 08:21 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:(02-16-2016 05:51 PM)BE4evah Wrote: The Connecticut FOIA does not exempt "negotiations" to join a Power 5 conference.
The Act allows exempt records in three cases where a state unit is negotiating:
1. Litigation;
2. Collective bargaining;
3. Requests for Proposals.
Nowhere does the Act exempt records created by UConn in circumstances surrounding its efforts to get into a major conference.
They aren't negotiating. They aren't on official business. At most, UConn is selling--at the least, UConn officials are just having conversations. Once the Big12 actually decides to expand, then you might start to have real negotiations, but at this point, I think you could safely say no "negotiations" are occurring. Just having conversations and talking up your school is not necessarily the same as having negotiations or carrying on "official" business.
If documents are generated where UConn officials are "talking up their school" in an effort to make UConn attractive to a major conference, and the Hartford Courant asked for such documents, UConn has to produce them. Your definition of "official" business is nonsensical and not supported by the law. Any business President Herbst conducts with respect to her official duties implicates the FOIA. And this certainly includes matters that pertain to UConn's conference affiliation. As you may be aware, courts take a wide view of official business, to encompass even mixed business. Transparency and sunshine lie at the heart of our democratic institutions.
Like I said, where would there be written documents? There have been no offers made. A phone call on a private cell phone. A trip paid for by private money. Hell, maybe they didn't even take a trip, they just sat together at a game. There are no documents for stuff like that.
If you really want to find out whats happening on Big12 expansion via this method, you don't aim FOIA requests at potential expansion targets. They probably don't know crap. You'll get way more information aiming a FOIA request at Oklahoma, W Virginia, Baylor, and of course...Texas. Three of those schools are where the Big-12 expansion committee reps call home--and the other one pretty much controls the entire Big12. That's where any documents generated on Big12 expansion are likely to be found.
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - Nebraskafan - 02-16-2016 10:52 PM
(02-16-2016 09:13 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:(02-16-2016 08:47 PM)BE4evah Wrote:(02-16-2016 08:21 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:(02-16-2016 05:51 PM)BE4evah Wrote: The Connecticut FOIA does not exempt "negotiations" to join a Power 5 conference.
The Act allows exempt records in three cases where a state unit is negotiating:
1. Litigation;
2. Collective bargaining;
3. Requests for Proposals.
Nowhere does the Act exempt records created by UConn in circumstances surrounding its efforts to get into a major conference.
They aren't negotiating. They aren't on official business. At most, UConn is selling--at the least, UConn officials are just having conversations. Once the Big12 actually decides to expand, then you might start to have real negotiations, but at this point, I think you could safely say no "negotiations" are occurring. Just having conversations and talking up your school is not necessarily the same as having negotiations or carrying on "official" business.
If documents are generated where UConn officials are "talking up their school" in an effort to make UConn attractive to a major conference, and the Hartford Courant asked for such documents, UConn has to produce them. Your definition of "official" business is nonsensical and not supported by the law. Any business President Herbst conducts with respect to her official duties implicates the FOIA. And this certainly includes matters that pertain to UConn's conference affiliation. As you may be aware, courts take a wide view of official business, to encompass even mixed business. Transparency and sunshine lie at the heart of our democratic institutions.
Like I said, where would there be written documents? There have been no offers made. A phone call on a private cell phone. A trip paid for by private money. Hell, maybe they didn't even take a trip, they just sat together at a game. There are no documents for stuff like that.
If you really want to find out whats happening on Big12 expansion via this method, you don't aim FOIA requests at potential expansion targets. They probably don't know crap. You'll get way more information aiming a FOIA request at Oklahoma, W Virginia, Baylor, and of course...Texas. Three of those schools are where the Big-12 expansion committee reps call home--and the other one pretty much controls the entire Big12. That's where any documents generated on Big12 expansion are likely to be found.
If there are no documents at UCONN about expansion, which is shown to be the case, then there will be no such document at the Big 12 schools that detail anything of note.
The twitter parasites can say this and that is a done deal for all they want, but the real reality is that the Big 12 is simply looking at data until this summer and then will decide to expand or not, which it will likely be NOT expanding.
Nothing against UCONN, but it does nothing for TV viewership.
Cincy is limited in must watch TV too.
All of the ratings data is out there in public spaces for anyone to research.
All of this stuff is being built up to a big let down in the end.
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - Attackcoog - 02-16-2016 11:05 PM
(02-16-2016 10:52 PM)Nebraskafan Wrote:(02-16-2016 09:13 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:(02-16-2016 08:47 PM)BE4evah Wrote:(02-16-2016 08:21 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:(02-16-2016 05:51 PM)BE4evah Wrote: The Connecticut FOIA does not exempt "negotiations" to join a Power 5 conference.
The Act allows exempt records in three cases where a state unit is negotiating:
1. Litigation;
2. Collective bargaining;
3. Requests for Proposals.
Nowhere does the Act exempt records created by UConn in circumstances surrounding its efforts to get into a major conference.
They aren't negotiating. They aren't on official business. At most, UConn is selling--at the least, UConn officials are just having conversations. Once the Big12 actually decides to expand, then you might start to have real negotiations, but at this point, I think you could safely say no "negotiations" are occurring. Just having conversations and talking up your school is not necessarily the same as having negotiations or carrying on "official" business.
If documents are generated where UConn officials are "talking up their school" in an effort to make UConn attractive to a major conference, and the Hartford Courant asked for such documents, UConn has to produce them. Your definition of "official" business is nonsensical and not supported by the law. Any business President Herbst conducts with respect to her official duties implicates the FOIA. And this certainly includes matters that pertain to UConn's conference affiliation. As you may be aware, courts take a wide view of official business, to encompass even mixed business. Transparency and sunshine lie at the heart of our democratic institutions.
Like I said, where would there be written documents? There have been no offers made. A phone call on a private cell phone. A trip paid for by private money. Hell, maybe they didn't even take a trip, they just sat together at a game. There are no documents for stuff like that.
If you really want to find out whats happening on Big12 expansion via this method, you don't aim FOIA requests at potential expansion targets. They probably don't know crap. You'll get way more information aiming a FOIA request at Oklahoma, W Virginia, Baylor, and of course...Texas. Three of those schools are where the Big-12 expansion committee reps call home--and the other one pretty much controls the entire Big12. That's where any documents generated on Big12 expansion are likely to be found.
If there are no documents at UCONN about expansion, which is shown to be the case, then there will be no such document at the Big 12 schools that detail anything of note.
The twitter parasites can say this and that is a done deal for all they want, but the real reality is that the Big 12 is simply looking at data until this summer and then will decide to expand or not, which it will likely be NOT expanding.
Nothing against UCONN, but it does nothing for TV viewership.
Cincy is limited in must watch TV too.
All of the ratings data is out there in public spaces for anyone to research.
All of this stuff is being built up to a big let down in the end.
The absence of expansion documents at UConn makes sense. UConn isn't going to be in possession of emails/letters/expansion committee reports/expansion committee work product/Big-12 network estimates, etc. For instance, we know there is a report looking at the various options of a CCG with 10, 12 and 14 members.
The absence of expansion documents at UConn doesn't preclude the existence of expansion activity within the Big12. The Big-12 is really the decision maker here---not UConn. Why would UConn have any documents until they have an offer? On the other hand, the B12 members are likely to discuss UConn and many other options months BEFORE making any actual offer. There's likely to be plenty of emails, reports, letters, documents, etc. going back and forth between member schools and the league office.
RE: Hartford Courant: FOIA- UConn has no documents concerning the Big 12 and expansion - BE4evah - 02-17-2016 11:16 AM
All this talk about how the lack of documents means nothing makes no sense when compared to Cincinatti. How is it that Cincy has such documents? The simplest and best explanation is that Cincy is making an effort to get into a major conference behind the scenes. They are doing that because of the positive feedback they are receiving from the higher ups in the Big 12.
Uconn has a history of sometimes not being proactive when it comes to making a case for inclusion in a major conference. A while back, the Uconn athletic director went to the caribbean for a vacation. At the time, the ACC was about to choose a replacement for Maryland. Tom Jurich the AD at Louisville stayed and worked late to lobby for Louisville. The rest is history.
This doesn't need to be that complicated.