(01-29-2015 11:21 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 11:13 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 10:34 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 10:29 AM)Phlegmish Wrote:  Simple solution: more alumni donations easily solves the problem.

I am willing to bet that if you post here, you are one of the 7% who donates, and probably in the top 20% at that.

An ongoing problem with JMU is that they simply FAIL to contact/reach out to the remaining 93%. If you got 1 out of 10 in that group to give, our giving numbers would more than double.

But hey, it's easy to point fingers rather than fix the real issue. Our development department is broken (or maybe, it has never worked).

You hit the nail on the head there.....if donations are lacking from a % of alumni as well as Total $$$$ look no further than the Development Department. Those men and women need to get their feet held to the fire a bit. WTF are they doing if anything to increase alumni giving. Work on getting the % up and that in turn will get the dollar value to rise exponentially over time. But you really need to set the hooks in right after graduation not wait 10 years later and then try to get them back.

So we end up back at accountability.

If you're not succeeding in your job as defined by measurable metrics, what is the typical outcome?

I don't want to hear the excuse that JMU doesn't admit/graduate giving people. In my experience, JMU alums are some of the friendliest, most caring, passionate, and giving people that I know.

We keep talking about changing that giving %. In my opinion, start at the source and work from there.

Agreed the % is the key. True new graduates cannot write big checks but over time and as they progress in their careers those $200 checks become $300, $500, $1000, etc....over time. And if you can get the giving % up to 30-35% (which I don't think would be that difficult) the $$$ value of donations over time would payoff.

I realize the big donors are vital but that is a very small % of actual donors that are willing to write those checks.

(01-29-2015 11:24 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 11:20 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  4 out of 5 students* complain that they'll never donate a dime to JMU because they can't get past themselves and see the bigger picture (sounds like some posters on here that we know). "I paid 250 whatever dollars for a parking pass and there's no parking on campus! They'll never get any money from me! I already paid a billion dollars to them for my tuition!" Changing some of that culture would be a good start.



*not an actual statistic i can back up

It may be just me, but I have NEVER heard those lines among my classmates and friends.

The typical refrain is "I haven't heard from JMU since I left".

Now, that is 1/2 their fault as well, but not many people reach out to give their hard earned dollars. It is JMU's job to solicit support from their grads, not simply expect it.

Agree....and that is exactly what a Development Staff does. They hold events, work the phones, etc......and do not mind folks saying 'no' over and over. There job is to wear them down and compete for charitable donation dollars.

(01-29-2015 11:17 AM)jmusuperfan Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 11:13 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 10:34 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 10:29 AM)Phlegmish Wrote:  Simple solution: more alumni donations easily solves the problem.

I am willing to bet that if you post here, you are one of the 7% who donates, and probably in the top 20% at that.

An ongoing problem with JMU is that they simply FAIL to contact/reach out to the remaining 93%. If you got 1 out of 10 in that group to give, our giving numbers would more than double.

But hey, it's easy to point fingers rather than fix the real issue. Our development department is broken (or maybe, it has never worked).

You hit the nail on the head there.....if donations are lacking from a % of alumni as well as Total $$$$ look no further than the Development Department. Those men and women need to get their feet held to the fire a bit. WTF are they doing if anything to increase alumni giving. Work on getting the % up and that in turn will get the dollar value to rise exponentially over time. But you really need to set the hooks in right after graduation not wait 10 years later and then try to get them back.

Head of large gifts is Yeager's son

Easy big fella, you have touched on a subject, that while true, is off limits. Expect a heated response(s).

Even I, the most hated poster on this board, stay away from this one. I don't want any of my fellow posters to burst a vain while working on campus.

The game is over, while are we arguing anyway?

All that is left, watching to see what alum do after they are feed the whole "balanced excellence" pile of #### that was described spot on above... "We are not good at anything but we are mediocre at everything" is what we are going to be sold and it's a perfect description of the administration itself.

Are you going to support this, that is all that remains.

JMU should change its motto from "Be the Change" to "Give some Change".

(01-29-2015 11:45 AM)jmu98 Wrote:  JMU should change its motto from "Be the Change" to "Give some Change".

Ha

Serious question...if this passes does JMU go back to Benson of the SB and beg to get in? If that door is closed and JMU can't become compliant in five years (unlikely at the FCS level), are we really looking at the possibility of the program being shuttered a la UAB?

I don't think JMU can expect alums to pony up much more than they already are for the current product, no matter how good the on field performance may be.

(01-29-2015 11:17 AM)jmusuperfan Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 11:13 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 10:34 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 10:29 AM)Phlegmish Wrote:  Simple solution: more alumni donations easily solves the problem.

I am willing to bet that if you post here, you are one of the 7% who donates, and probably in the top 20% at that.

An ongoing problem with JMU is that they simply FAIL to contact/reach out to the remaining 93%. If you got 1 out of 10 in that group to give, our giving numbers would more than double.

But hey, it's easy to point fingers rather than fix the real issue. Our development department is broken (or maybe, it has never worked).

You hit the nail on the head there.....if donations are lacking from a % of alumni as well as Total $$$$ look no further than the Development Department. Those men and women need to get their feet held to the fire a bit. WTF are they doing if anything to increase alumni giving. Work on getting the % up and that in turn will get the dollar value to rise exponentially over time. But you really need to set the hooks in right after graduation not wait 10 years later and then try to get them back.

Head of large gifts is Yeager's son

Yep. I used to meet 1-2 times a year in Atlanta with the former head of large gifts where I would cut him a check. He left, and I didn't hear anything from the department for a couple of years until Yeager Jr emailed me about getting together when he would be in Atlanta. I kindly told him no and that I had no interest in supporting a visionless cause where I've felt deceived by their tactics. Any money I donate to the university, now goes to the COB, which, unfortunately for JMU, is a lot less than I would contribute as a whole had they gotten the hell out of the CAA when they had the chance.

I'm not alone here by any stretch of the imagination, as I have a number of JMU alum friends in the area with very high paying jobs that don't donate to the school at all because they feel like there is nothing keeping them connected (i.e., they have zero interest in getting together to watch an FCS football game with other alums in the area).

(01-29-2015 11:27 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 11:24 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 11:20 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  4 out of 5 students* complain that they'll never donate a dime to JMU because they can't get past themselves and see the bigger picture (sounds like some posters on here that we know). "I paid 250 whatever dollars for a parking pass and there's no parking on campus! They'll never get any money from me! I already paid a billion dollars to them for my tuition!" Changing some of that culture would be a good start.



*not an actual statistic i can back up

It may be just me, but I have NEVER heard those lines among my classmates and friends.

The typical refrain is "I haven't heard from JMU since I left".

Now, that is 1/2 their fault as well, but not many people reach out to give their hard earned dollars. It is JMU's job to solicit support from their grads, not simply expect it.

Agree....and that is exactly what a Development Staff does. They hold events, work the phones, etc......and do not mind folks saying 'no' over and over. There job is to wear them down and compete for charitable donation dollars.

Sorry, they don't work the phones... They get student athletes to call donors. I don't blame the student athletes but their knowledge of what's going on at JMU regarding athletics is little at best. For the past 5 years, every athlete that has called me tells me JMU will go FBS very soon. When I spout out what I know, I can only assume they have a "deer in headlights" look on their face as they have no rebuttle or no clue as to what gets discussed. Of course, you can't argue with them cause that isn't their job. It's as though JMU does this purposefully so they won't have to answer the hard questions.

UVA, the highest donation school in the state, still only receives 24% alumni giving. That's with big boy sports and nearly Ivy League academic reputation.
I would actually argue that JMU is in line for the type of school that it is. I'm more in the camp of you need the chicken to get the egg.
Donors will open their wallets only after they're given reason to. JMU has had decades of expecting contribution without first providing action and reason.
Give us athletic direction, give us academic direction (I.e. Becoming a national university).

(01-29-2015 11:20 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  4 out of 5 students* complain that they'll never donate a dime to JMU because they can't get past themselves and see the bigger picture (sounds like some posters on here that we know). "I paid 250 whatever dollars for a parking pass and there's no parking on campus! They'll never get any money from me! I already paid a billion dollars to them for my tuition!" Changing some of that culture would be a good start.



*not an actual statistic i can back up

You're pointing the finger in the wrong direction if you're blaming the students. It is up to JMU admin and staff to create a culture of donating back to the school that starts from the freshman (or transfer) orientation all the way up through graduation and then followed up for the remainder of the graduate's life. For sh¡ts sake, the Christian Children's Fund found a way to fleece millions of Americans for a cup of coffee a day on something they'll never benefit from, why can't JMU?

(01-29-2015 12:51 PM)JMaddy Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 11:20 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  4 out of 5 students* complain that they'll never donate a dime to JMU because they can't get past themselves and see the bigger picture (sounds like some posters on here that we know). "I paid 250 whatever dollars for a parking pass and there's no parking on campus! They'll never get any money from me! I already paid a billion dollars to them for my tuition!" Changing some of that culture would be a good start.



*not an actual statistic i can back up

You're pointing the finger in the wrong direction if you're blaming the students. It is up to JMU admin and staff to create a culture of donating back to the school that starts from the freshman (or transfer) orientation all the way up through graduation and then followed up for the remainder of the graduate's life. For sh¡ts sake, the Christian Children's Fund found a way to fleece millions of Americans for a cup of coffee a day on something they'll never benefit from, why can't JMU?

Great point and why my earlier note about changing our motto to "Give Some Change" was only somewhat in jest. Why couldn't we ask every alumnus out there to donate the 30 cent change from the Starbucks they buy every day? There has to be a way to figure something out like this and make it work in such a fashion where there is nothing the person needs to do.

(01-29-2015 12:51 PM)JMaddy Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 11:20 AM)Deez Nuts Wrote:  4 out of 5 students* complain that they'll never donate a dime to JMU because they can't get past themselves and see the bigger picture (sounds like some posters on here that we know). "I paid 250 whatever dollars for a parking pass and there's no parking on campus! They'll never get any money from me! I already paid a billion dollars to them for my tuition!" Changing some of that culture would be a good start.



*not an actual statistic i can back up

You're pointing the finger in the wrong direction if you're blaming the students. It is up to JMU admin and staff to create a culture of donating back to the school that starts from the freshman (or transfer) orientation all the way up through graduation and then followed up for the remainder of the graduate's life. For sh¡ts sake, the Christian Children's Fund found a way to fleece millions of Americans for a cup of coffee a day on something they'll never benefit from, why can't JMU?

Yea, you've got to cultivate a culture of giving, a culture of pride, a culture of lookame! I'm a JMU Student/parent/alum/fan. Like you see when you have the Mary Washington Grad sporting the Uvgay hat and buying football season tickets, or the Vippsue fan returning from their latest wal-mart trip. And it needs to start early.

There was a discussion here some months ago about the Student Duke Club, does it still exist or not? At one time, in the not so recent past it was thriving, had pretty good numbers and seemed to grow every year. I think that is absolutely critical to developing this culture of involvement.

Even if it's "only" 2000-3000 in any given year, that's another potential 20-30K "Dukes for Life" in a short 10 years. Right now the stated goal for the Duke Club in it's entirety is only 3500. And even that is a HUGE jump from just a few years ago.

There needs to be some good old fashioned retail politicking, hitting the Fraternities and sororities, Academic Clubs, offer pre-game pizza parties to members and a guest, or two. Get the students and young alums still hanging around involved. Talk it up- talk about giving back, talk about the pride you have in your school and diploma. Talk about how much you loved your time and experience at JMU, and what it would mean to help someone else attend and whatever else the "Pros" in this stuff can come up with.

And of course, you have to spell out a plan. I think I'm probably about as patient as anyone on here, probably because there's a lot more going on everyday as it is, so this stuff takes an immediate backseat. So it if happens great, if it doesn't I got plenty other stuff to do.

BUT, even that patience wears thin. 2 1/2 years of a freaking "listening tour" ought to be about enough. Figuring out what it is or what it takes to be an "engaged University" certainly sounds like a worthy, even admirable goal. Except NOBODY, including apparently the very author(s) and people driving this stuff, have any idea what that means.

Maybe I missed it, it's entirely possible. But at some point there has got to be some clearing of the air, otherwise we are a boat adrift. Having a vision of what you want to do and where you want to go is commendable, so tell us. We're your allies, your friends, your backbone. The little guys, who are, day in day out, more "engaged" (whoop, there's that word again) than probably 90% of any other JMU alums out there.

When WE have nothing to share, even to a spouse or with fellow alums or neighbors, then JMU has nothing to share. If we get a nugget we'll tell 4 others, maybe even to the guy in the purple shirt at the quickie mart. When we don't there is simply silence. And that's not good for anyone.

Okay rant over, I need a nap.

JMU just needs its own Phil Knight (according to wiki 450 million ballpark to Oregon) or T Boone Pickens (400 million Ok State). Even a fraction of that would do...

(01-29-2015 10:41 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  To summarize to those that might not have the DNR, a JMU graduate, Cox, has sponsored this legislation. The impact of capping fees at 70% for 1-AA schools is roughly $3M a year, but JMU would have five years to comply. 78% of revenues roughly currently come from student fees. At the 55% cap and the current budget, however, that equates to roughly $9M a year, right? An expert on VA government weighed in that this legislation is likely to pass and be signed by the governor. Didn't sound like Charlie King was too cooperative in answering any questions. If this passes, it might make it pretty difficult to move to 1-A without identifying other revenue sources to bridge the gap. As an aside, you also have to wonder if something like this helps the cause of Matt Brady if the Dukes can finish the season strongly.

Free on Rivals:
https://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1730907

(01-29-2015 10:41 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  To summarize to those that might not have the DNR, a JMU graduate, Cox, has sponsored this legislation. The impact of capping fees at 70% for 1-AA schools is roughly $3M a year, but JMU would have five years to comply. 78% of revenues roughly currently come from student fees. At the 55% cap and the current budget, however, that equates to roughly $9M a year, right? An expert on VA government weighed in that this legislation is likely to pass and be signed by the governor. Didn't sound like Charlie King was too cooperative in answering any questions. If this passes, it might make it pretty difficult to move to 1-A without identifying other revenue sources to bridge the gap. As an aside, you also have to wonder if something like this helps the cause of Matt Brady if the Dukes can finish the season strongly.

Compliance is required immediately but if JMU fails to comply immediately the punishment is the creation of a 5 year action plan. The action plan would be reviewed annually, buy an auditor, to make sure that JMU is keeping pace with the required steps of the action plan. Failure to meet any one year goal would result in reduced autonomy and any two failures over consecutive years will result in complete loss of autonomy. There is no guaranteed 5 year period of compliance for JMU. JMU could have up to 5 years to comply if they meet their annual requirements as set out in the action plan. JMU could also fail the first 2 years of the action plan and be in big trouble especially since the Carr Report mentioned that reliance on student fees would increase in the short term of the transition but would eventually reduce. Could make for a tough action plan period if the state auditor wants to see steep annual declines.

(01-29-2015 02:53 PM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 10:41 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  To summarize to those that might not have the DNR, a JMU graduate, Cox, has sponsored this legislation. The impact of capping fees at 70% for 1-AA schools is roughly $3M a year, but JMU would have five years to comply. 78% of revenues roughly currently come from student fees. At the 55% cap and the current budget, however, that equates to roughly $9M a year, right? An expert on VA government weighed in that this legislation is likely to pass and be signed by the governor. Didn't sound like Charlie King was too cooperative in answering any questions. If this passes, it might make it pretty difficult to move to 1-A without identifying other revenue sources to bridge the gap. As an aside, you also have to wonder if something like this helps the cause of Matt Brady if the Dukes can finish the season strongly.

Compliance is required immediately but if JMU fails to comply immediately the punishment is the creation of a 5 year action plan. The action plan would be reviewed annually, buy an auditor, to make sure that JMU is keeping pace with the required steps of the action plan. Failure to meet any one year goal would result in reduced autonomy and any two failures over consecutive years will result in complete loss of autonomy. There is no guaranteed 5 year period of compliance for JMU. JMU could have up to 5 years to comply if they meet their annual requirements as set out in the action plan. JMU could also fail the first 2 years of the action plan and be in big trouble especially since the Carr Report mentioned that reliance on student fees would increase in the short term of the transition but would eventually reduce. Could make for a tough action plan period if the state auditor wants to see steep annual declines.

So basically, if this passes, we're f'ed. As is GMU and Radford as they're both well above the threshold as well.

(01-29-2015 02:53 PM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  Compliance is required immediately but if JMU fails to comply immediately the punishment is the creation of a 5 year action plan. The action plan would be reviewed annually, buy an auditor, to make sure that JMU is keeping pace with the required steps of the action plan. Failure to meet any one year goal would result in reduced autonomy and any two failures over consecutive years will result in complete loss of autonomy. There is no guaranteed 5 year period of compliance for JMU. JMU could have up to 5 years to comply if they meet their annual requirements as set out in the action plan. JMU could also fail the first 2 years of the action plan and be in big trouble especially since the Carr Report mentioned that reliance on student fees would increase in the short term of the transition but would eventually reduce. Could make for a tough action plan period if the state auditor wants to see steep annual declines.

Just to clarify, there is no total loss of autonomy. If so, the General Assembly would have to open a branch office in Hburg to make all the school's decisions I guess. ; )

Under the bill, a school would lose certain extra autonomy that was granted to schools that meet certain criteria - I think it came from legislation about 10 years ago. Under the bill, if JMU fails to comply, they could still eat burritos but wouldn't be allowed to have sour cream or extra cheese.

It would actually create extra work for the state, so I really think they'd do whatever they could to make sure JMU didn't lose any authority. The bigger risk would come from pissing off the people who decide whether we get a fair share of state bond money for new academic buildings, etc. We don't want to do that.

(01-29-2015 03:08 PM)All Dukes_All Day Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 02:53 PM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 10:41 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  To summarize to those that might not have the DNR, a JMU graduate, Cox, has sponsored this legislation. The impact of capping fees at 70% for 1-AA schools is roughly $3M a year, but JMU would have five years to comply. 78% of revenues roughly currently come from student fees. At the 55% cap and the current budget, however, that equates to roughly $9M a year, right? An expert on VA government weighed in that this legislation is likely to pass and be signed by the governor. Didn't sound like Charlie King was too cooperative in answering any questions. If this passes, it might make it pretty difficult to move to 1-A without identifying other revenue sources to bridge the gap. As an aside, you also have to wonder if something like this helps the cause of Matt Brady if the Dukes can finish the season strongly.

Compliance is required immediately but if JMU fails to comply immediately the punishment is the creation of a 5 year action plan. The action plan would be reviewed annually, buy an auditor, to make sure that JMU is keeping pace with the required steps of the action plan. Failure to meet any one year goal would result in reduced autonomy and any two failures over consecutive years will result in complete loss of autonomy. There is no guaranteed 5 year period of compliance for JMU. JMU could have up to 5 years to comply if they meet their annual requirements as set out in the action plan. JMU could also fail the first 2 years of the action plan and be in big trouble especially since the Carr Report mentioned that reliance on student fees would increase in the short term of the transition but would eventually reduce. Could make for a tough action plan period if the state auditor wants to see steep annual declines.

So basically, if this passes, we're f'ed. As is GMU and Radford as they're both well above the threshold as well.

It was about seven or so schools. JMU, odu, GMU, Radford, Longwood, Norfolk state. Maybe va state.

(01-29-2015 03:25 PM)POTUS#4 Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 02:53 PM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  Compliance is required immediately but if JMU fails to comply immediately the punishment is the creation of a 5 year action plan. The action plan would be reviewed annually, buy an auditor, to make sure that JMU is keeping pace with the required steps of the action plan. Failure to meet any one year goal would result in reduced autonomy and any two failures over consecutive years will result in complete loss of autonomy. There is no guaranteed 5 year period of compliance for JMU. JMU could have up to 5 years to comply if they meet their annual requirements as set out in the action plan. JMU could also fail the first 2 years of the action plan and be in big trouble especially since the Carr Report mentioned that reliance on student fees would increase in the short term of the transition but would eventually reduce. Could make for a tough action plan period if the state auditor wants to see steep annual declines.

Just to clarify, there is no total loss of autonomy. If so, the General Assembly would have to open a branch office in Hburg to make all the school's decisions I guess. ; )

Under the bill, a school would lose certain extra autonomy that was granted to schools that meet certain criteria - I think it came from legislation about 10 years ago. Under the bill, if JMU fails to comply, they could still eat burritos but wouldn't be allowed to have sour cream or extra cheese.

It would actually create extra work for the state, so I really think they'd do whatever they could to make sure JMU didn't lose any authority. The bigger risk would come from pissing off the people who decide whether we get a fair share of state bond money for new academic buildings, etc. We don't want to do that.

Yes - Obviously I just meant they would lose the autonomy granted in the HEFOA. Sorry if that was not clear. Of course the commonwealth doesn't become the new President of the school if we fail two years of action plan requirements. All the autonomy we have been granted would go away though.

"Failure to meet the progress requirements of each plan approved pursuant to subsection E for two consecutive years, as determined by the Auditor of Public Accounts, shall result in revocation of all financial and administrative operations authority granted to the institution pursuant to the Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act. "

(01-29-2015 04:01 PM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 03:25 PM)POTUS#4 Wrote:  

(01-29-2015 02:53 PM)JMU_Degenerate Wrote:  Compliance is required immediately but if JMU fails to comply immediately the punishment is the creation of a 5 year action plan. The action plan would be reviewed annually, buy an auditor, to make sure that JMU is keeping pace with the required steps of the action plan. Failure to meet any one year goal would result in reduced autonomy and any two failures over consecutive years will result in complete loss of autonomy. There is no guaranteed 5 year period of compliance for JMU. JMU could have up to 5 years to comply if they meet their annual requirements as set out in the action plan. JMU could also fail the first 2 years of the action plan and be in big trouble especially since the Carr Report mentioned that reliance on student fees would increase in the short term of the transition but would eventually reduce. Could make for a tough action plan period if the state auditor wants to see steep annual declines.

Just to clarify, there is no total loss of autonomy. If so, the General Assembly would have to open a branch office in Hburg to make all the school's decisions I guess. ; )

Under the bill, a school would lose certain extra autonomy that was granted to schools that meet certain criteria - I think it came from legislation about 10 years ago. Under the bill, if JMU fails to comply, they could still eat burritos but wouldn't be allowed to have sour cream or extra cheese.

It would actually create extra work for the state, so I really think they'd do whatever they could to make sure JMU didn't lose any authority. The bigger risk would come from pissing off the people who decide whether we get a fair share of state bond money for new academic buildings, etc. We don't want to do that.

Yes - Obviously I just meant they would lose the autonomy granted in the HEFOA. Sorry if that was not clear. Of course the commonwealth doesn't become the new President of the school if we fail two years of action plan requirements. All the autonomy we have been granted [pursuant to the Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act] would go away though.

"Failure to meet the progress requirements of each plan approved pursuant to subsection E for two consecutive years, as determined by the Auditor of Public Accounts, shall result in revocation of all financial and administrative operations authority granted to the institution pursuant to the Restructured Higher Education Financial and Administrative Operations Act. "

Right, just wanted to make clear that schools had plenty of autonomy before that act ever existed and will still have plenty of autonomy if they get their hands slapped under this bill. I honestly have no idea what the biggest loss would be, but a lot of it is piddly stuff that doesn't matter.