GA Tech is under consideration by my daughter. We just finished watching their Convocation at McCamish Pavilion welcoming all new students, both freshman and transfers. We missed the first part, but it finished up with President Bud Peterson speaking and having the incoming students putting on their GA Tech pins.

When I hear that Alger has not attended, much less addressed our group of incoming students, it makes me wonder just what the heck do we have leading our university? Bud Peterson is far, far more renowned than Alger, yet he doesn't miss this opportunity. In addition they put on a brunch today for parents and family members, at $20 per guest, allowing Peterson to speak and mingle with attendees.

Again I will not pretend to know Alger's priorities or whether they justify his absence from such events, but as so many have stated, some transparency would go a long way to this understanding. It's easy to have the opinion we have no more than a consigliere (an adviser to a incognito crime boss) representing JMU. Who is really running the fashion show on our campus?

(08-21-2016 06:02 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  GA Tech is under consideration by my daughter. We just finished watching their Convocation at McCamish Pavilion welcoming all new students, both freshman and transfers. We missed the first part, but it finished up with President Bud Peterson speaking and having the incoming students putting on their GA Tech pins.

When I hear that Alger has not attended, much less addressed our group of incoming students, it makes me wonder just what the heck do we have leading our university? Bud Peterson is far, far more renowned than Alger, yet he doesn't miss this opportunity. In addition they put on a brunch today for parents and family members, at $20 per guest, allowing Peterson to speak and mingle with attendees.

Again I will not pretend to know Alger's priorities or whether they justify his absence from such events, but as so many have stated, some transparency would go a long way to this understanding. It's easy to have the opinion we have no more than a consigliere (an adviser to a incognito crime boss) representing JMU. Who is really running the fashion show on our campus?

If this is accurate, then I do feel this is the amongst the most justified criticism of Alger. As president of JMU, he should be addressing our students as much as possible - especially when they first enter.

I think back to the summer I entered JMU, and I remember Uncle Ron addressing the incoming freshmen and then our parents during orientation, and then seeing him at Band Camp.

(08-21-2016 06:48 PM)NH/JMU Saxkow Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 06:02 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  GA Tech is under consideration by my daughter. We just finished watching their Convocation at McCamish Pavilion welcoming all new students, both freshman and transfers. We missed the first part, but it finished up with President Bud Peterson speaking and having the incoming students putting on their GA Tech pins.

When I hear that Alger has not attended, much less addressed our group of incoming students, it makes me wonder just what the heck do we have leading our university? Bud Peterson is far, far more renowned than Alger, yet he doesn't miss this opportunity. In addition they put on a brunch today for parents and family members, at $20 per guest, allowing Peterson to speak and mingle with attendees.

Again I will not pretend to know Alger's priorities or whether they justify his absence from such events, but as so many have stated, some transparency would go a long way to this understanding. It's easy to have the opinion we have no more than a consigliere (an adviser to a incognito crime boss) representing JMU. Who is really running the fashion show on our campus?

If this is accurate, then I do feel this is the amongst the most justified criticism of Alger. As president of JMU, he should be addressing our students as much as possible - especially when they first enter.

I think back to the summer I entered JMU, and I remember Uncle Ron addressing the incoming freshmen and then our parents during orientation, and then seeing him at Band Camp.

I'm sure the following statement is an over-exaggeration, but Uncle Ron seemed to be everywhere all at the same time. He really had a priority of getting out there for all to see. I'm sure he had many faults, and that Alger excels in many areas where Ron would fail, but from the outside looking in, Ron had my respect and I was proud he was in charge.

It has become very clear why Binghampton and Furman did not hire Jon Alger

Could you imagine the outrage at Furman if Christmas songs with a religious theme were banned from Holiday events?

(08-21-2016 07:54 PM)Dukeman Wrote:  It has become very clear why Binghamton and Furman did not hire Jon Alger

Could you imagine the outrage at Furman if Christmas songs with a religious theme were banned from Holiday events?

I believe he would have been a much better fit for either of those. Though Furman might be a bit of a stretch and I know little about Binghamton other than they have been mentioned as a peer of JMU in some publication. How that can be is beyond my comprehension of course Alabama has also been mentioned as one of our peers as well, go figure.

(08-21-2016 07:09 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 06:48 PM)NH/JMU Saxkow Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 06:02 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  GA Tech is under consideration by my daughter. We just finished watching their Convocation at McCamish Pavilion welcoming all new students, both freshman and transfers. We missed the first part, but it finished up with President Bud Peterson speaking and having the incoming students putting on their GA Tech pins.

When I hear that Alger has not attended, much less addressed our group of incoming students, it makes me wonder just what the heck do we have leading our university? Bud Peterson is far, far more renowned than Alger, yet he doesn't miss this opportunity. In addition they put on a brunch today for parents and family members, at $20 per guest, allowing Peterson to speak and mingle with attendees.

Again I will not pretend to know Alger's priorities or whether they justify his absence from such events, but as so many have stated, some transparency would go a long way to this understanding. It's easy to have the opinion we have no more than a consigliere (an adviser to a incognito crime boss) representing JMU. Who is really running the fashion show on our campus?

If this is accurate, then I do feel this is the amongst the most justified criticism of Alger. As president of JMU, he should be addressing our students as much as possible - especially when they first enter.

I think back to the summer I entered JMU, and I remember Uncle Ron addressing the incoming freshmen and then our parents during orientation, and then seeing him at Band Camp.

I'm sure the following statement is an over-exaggeration, but Uncle Ron seemed to be everywhere all at the same time. He really had a priority of getting out there for all to see. I'm sure he had many faults, and that Alger excels in many areas where Ron would fail, but from the outside looking in, Ron had my respect and I was proud he was in charge.

He was everywhere! He was Clark Kent & Superman. Of course, we still had phone booths back then.

(08-21-2016 09:47 PM)olddawg Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 07:09 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 06:48 PM)NH/JMU Saxkow Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 06:02 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  GA Tech is under consideration by my daughter. We just finished watching their Convocation at McCamish Pavilion welcoming all new students, both freshman and transfers. We missed the first part, but it finished up with President Bud Peterson speaking and having the incoming students putting on their GA Tech pins.

When I hear that Alger has not attended, much less addressed our group of incoming students, it makes me wonder just what the heck do we have leading our university? Bud Peterson is far, far more renowned than Alger, yet he doesn't miss this opportunity. In addition they put on a brunch today for parents and family members, at $20 per guest, allowing Peterson to speak and mingle with attendees.

Again I will not pretend to know Alger's priorities or whether they justify his absence from such events, but as so many have stated, some transparency would go a long way to this understanding. It's easy to have the opinion we have no more than a consigliere (an adviser to a incognito crime boss) representing JMU. Who is really running the fashion show on our campus?

If this is accurate, then I do feel this is the amongst the most justified criticism of Alger. As president of JMU, he should be addressing our students as much as possible - especially when they first enter.

I think back to the summer I entered JMU, and I remember Uncle Ron addressing the incoming freshmen and then our parents during orientation, and then seeing him at Band Camp.

I'm sure the following statement is an over-exaggeration, but Uncle Ron seemed to be everywhere all at the same time. He really had a priority of getting out there for all to see. I'm sure he had many faults, and that Alger excels in many areas where Ron would fail, but from the outside looking in, Ron had my respect and I was proud he was in charge.

He was everywhere! He was Clark Kent & Superman. Of course, we still had phone booths back then.

...and this is why we need a "Like" button.

(08-21-2016 06:48 PM)NH/JMU Saxkow Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 06:02 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  GA Tech is under consideration by my daughter. We just finished watching their Convocation at McCamish Pavilion welcoming all new students, both freshman and transfers. We missed the first part, but it finished up with President Bud Peterson speaking and having the incoming students putting on their GA Tech pins.

When I hear that Alger has not attended, much less addressed our group of incoming students, it makes me wonder just what the heck do we have leading our university? Bud Peterson is far, far more renowned than Alger, yet he doesn't miss this opportunity. In addition they put on a brunch today for parents and family members, at $20 per guest, allowing Peterson to speak and mingle with attendees.

Again I will not pretend to know Alger's priorities or whether they justify his absence from such events, but as so many have stated, some transparency would go a long way to this understanding. It's easy to have the opinion we have no more than a consigliere (an adviser to a incognito crime boss) representing JMU. Who is really running the fashion show on our campus?

If this is accurate, then I do feel this is the amongst the most justified criticism of Alger. As president of JMU, he should be addressing our students as much as possible - especially when they first enter.

I think back to the summer I entered JMU, and I remember Uncle Ron addressing the incoming freshmen and then our parents during orientation, and then seeing him at Band Camp.

The original comment was made in reference to JMU's "Choices" events, where students who have been offered admission are visiting campus, but have not yet accepted admission. The GT program is for newly enrolled freshmen at GT, not just those shopping for their school of choice.

Whereas there are several dates on which JMU's "Choices" take place, there is another date at which (like GT) newly enrolled freshmen at JMU are welcomed to campus and addressed as a group (in fact there are several such occasions), and you will find President Alger does appear at those functions.

Sorry to poke a hole in this inflated bit of outrage at Alger, but the original post, and the follow up referencing the GT ceremony, are but misinformed perceptions of how JMU handles the undergraduate recruitment and enrollment process.

(08-21-2016 10:05 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 06:48 PM)NH/JMU Saxkow Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 06:02 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  GA Tech is under consideration by my daughter. We just finished watching their Convocation at McCamish Pavilion welcoming all new students, both freshman and transfers. We missed the first part, but it finished up with President Bud Peterson speaking and having the incoming students putting on their GA Tech pins.

When I hear that Alger has not attended, much less addressed our group of incoming students, it makes me wonder just what the heck do we have leading our university? Bud Peterson is far, far more renowned than Alger, yet he doesn't miss this opportunity. In addition they put on a brunch today for parents and family members, at $20 per guest, allowing Peterson to speak and mingle with attendees.

Again I will not pretend to know Alger's priorities or whether they justify his absence from such events, but as so many have stated, some transparency would go a long way to this understanding. It's easy to have the opinion we have no more than a consigliere (an adviser to a incognito crime boss) representing JMU. Who is really running the fashion show on our campus?

If this is accurate, then I do feel this is the amongst the most justified criticism of Alger. As president of JMU, he should be addressing our students as much as possible - especially when they first enter.

I think back to the summer I entered JMU, and I remember Uncle Ron addressing the incoming freshmen and then our parents during orientation, and then seeing him at Band Camp.

The original comment was made in reference to JMU's "Choices" events, where students who have been offered admission are visiting campus, but have not yet accepted admission. The GT program is for newly enrolled freshmen at GT, not just those shopping for their school of choice.

Whereas there are several dates on which JMU's "Choices" take place, there is another date at which (like GT) newly enrolled freshmen at JMU are welcomed to campus and addressed as a group (in fact there are several such occasions), and you will find President Alger does appear at those functions.

Sorry to poke a hole in this inflated bit of outrage at Alger, but the original post, and the follow up referencing the GT ceremony, are but misinformed perceptions of how JMU handles the undergraduate recruitment and enrollment process.

I've met the man, nice guy, and one who the wife and I could have dinner with (where I could show him how to wear a cowboy hat), but never should he hold the title of President of James Madison University. If there is outrage, it should be directed at those who named him our leader. He is who he is and his resume clearly painted a picture of the man. He is exactly what they wanted.

(08-21-2016 10:20 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 10:05 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 06:48 PM)NH/JMU Saxkow Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 06:02 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  GA Tech is under consideration by my daughter. We just finished watching their Convocation at McCamish Pavilion welcoming all new students, both freshman and transfers. We missed the first part, but it finished up with President Bud Peterson speaking and having the incoming students putting on their GA Tech pins.

When I hear that Alger has not attended, much less addressed our group of incoming students, it makes me wonder just what the heck do we have leading our university? Bud Peterson is far, far more renowned than Alger, yet he doesn't miss this opportunity. In addition they put on a brunch today for parents and family members, at $20 per guest, allowing Peterson to speak and mingle with attendees.

Again I will not pretend to know Alger's priorities or whether they justify his absence from such events, but as so many have stated, some transparency would go a long way to this understanding. It's easy to have the opinion we have no more than a consigliere (an adviser to a incognito crime boss) representing JMU. Who is really running the fashion show on our campus?

If this is accurate, then I do feel this is the amongst the most justified criticism of Alger. As president of JMU, he should be addressing our students as much as possible - especially when they first enter.

I think back to the summer I entered JMU, and I remember Uncle Ron addressing the incoming freshmen and then our parents during orientation, and then seeing him at Band Camp.

The original comment was made in reference to JMU's "Choices" events, where students who have been offered admission are visiting campus, but have not yet accepted admission. The GT program is for newly enrolled freshmen at GT, not just those shopping for their school of choice.

Whereas there are several dates on which JMU's "Choices" take place, there is another date at which (like GT) newly enrolled freshmen at JMU are welcomed to campus and addressed as a group (in fact there are several such occasions), and you will find President Alger does appear at those functions.

Sorry to poke a hole in this inflated bit of outrage at Alger, but the original post, and the follow up referencing the GT ceremony, are but misinformed perceptions of how JMU handles the undergraduate recruitment and enrollment process.

I've met the man, nice guy, and one who the wife and I could have dinner with (where I could show him how to wear a cowboy hat), but never should he hold the title of President of James Madison University. If there is outrage, it should be directed at those who named him our leader. He is who he is and his resume clearly painted a picture of the man. He is exactly what they wanted.

Okay, the next time JMU is in the market for a President, we'll be sure you have a chance to meet him or her so you can veto any mistakes up front.

In the meantime the rest of us who work with Alger (and not just on an occasional basis) will soldier on.

As a proud Georgia Tech alum (Class of '87 B.S. and '89 M.S.) and an even prouder father of a JMU student who will graduate with 2 B.A. degrees this December, I feel compelled to throw my 2 cents into this thread.

For starters, this GT Freshman thing is a long-standing tradition and back when I was a nervous student there was always the traditional saying from whoever our President was... "look to your left, look to your right, one of those 2 students beside you won't make it through Tech". It was a sense of pride in terms of how tough the academic journey of Georgia Tech is and why so many of us alums don't refer to graduating at my alma mater, but instead refer to it as "getting out" (truth, ask any GT alum) as if you've been in prison. It is a badge of honor more than a criticism of the school. Having said that, I've learned that they quit doing that over the last decade as times have changed and the view of that is no longer politically correct anymore I guess.

Putting that aside, I met President Alger at not one, but two, events when my daughter was going through Choices as well as move-in. His arrival coincided with my daughter's entry class into JMU. I found him to be very approachable and a heckuva gentleman (as should be expected, but I've seen far worse in my life...and at Ga Tech).

I'm not poking holes into the original post's viewpoint by any means. We all have different experiences. Mine have been nothing but fantastic with JMU and I expect that will continue moving forward for the rest of time. It pains me though to see so much negativity towards JMU wrapped in a bow of "I'm negative to help JMU in the long run". Georgia Tech people are some of the most cynical and negative people on the planet. And even they/we aren't as negative as many I read on this board. It is what it is I guess. Odd though.

'cest la vie.

GO DUKES! GO JACKETS!!

(and congrats to Bleeding Purple and your daughter...over 30,000 applicants to the North Avenue Trade School and around 3,000 entering...quite an honor...she won't regret it)

(08-22-2016 08:20 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 10:20 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 10:05 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 06:48 PM)NH/JMU Saxkow Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 06:02 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  GA Tech is under consideration by my daughter. We just finished watching their Convocation at McCamish Pavilion welcoming all new students, both freshman and transfers. We missed the first part, but it finished up with President Bud Peterson speaking and having the incoming students putting on their GA Tech pins.

When I hear that Alger has not attended, much less addressed our group of incoming students, it makes me wonder just what the heck do we have leading our university? Bud Peterson is far, far more renowned than Alger, yet he doesn't miss this opportunity. In addition they put on a brunch today for parents and family members, at $20 per guest, allowing Peterson to speak and mingle with attendees.

Again I will not pretend to know Alger's priorities or whether they justify his absence from such events, but as so many have stated, some transparency would go a long way to this understanding. It's easy to have the opinion we have no more than a consigliere (an adviser to a incognito crime boss) representing JMU. Who is really running the fashion show on our campus?

If this is accurate, then I do feel this is the amongst the most justified criticism of Alger. As president of JMU, he should be addressing our students as much as possible - especially when they first enter.

I think back to the summer I entered JMU, and I remember Uncle Ron addressing the incoming freshmen and then our parents during orientation, and then seeing him at Band Camp.

The original comment was made in reference to JMU's "Choices" events, where students who have been offered admission are visiting campus, but have not yet accepted admission. The GT program is for newly enrolled freshmen at GT, not just those shopping for their school of choice.

Whereas there are several dates on which JMU's "Choices" take place, there is another date at which (like GT) newly enrolled freshmen at JMU are welcomed to campus and addressed as a group (in fact there are several such occasions), and you will find President Alger does appear at those functions.

Sorry to poke a hole in this inflated bit of outrage at Alger, but the original post, and the follow up referencing the GT ceremony, are but misinformed perceptions of how JMU handles the undergraduate recruitment and enrollment process.

I've met the man, nice guy, and one who the wife and I could have dinner with (where I could show him how to wear a cowboy hat), but never should he hold the title of President of James Madison University. If there is outrage, it should be directed at those who named him our leader. He is who he is and his resume clearly painted a picture of the man. He is exactly what they wanted.

Okay, the next time JMU is in the market for a President, we'll be sure you have a chance to meet him or her so you can veto any mistakes up front.

In the meantime the rest of us who work with Alger (and not just on an occasional basis) will soldier on.

Well now, finally we agree with the vetting process coming through me. You can be so stubborn but at least on this one we are on the same page. All fun and games aside it does appear, through your own words, that a mistake was made, and by the mere fact he has been retained, the "mistakes" (your words not mine) continue.

(08-22-2016 08:28 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(08-22-2016 08:20 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 10:20 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 10:05 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 06:48 PM)NH/JMU Saxkow Wrote:  If this is accurate, then I do feel this is the amongst the most justified criticism of Alger. As president of JMU, he should be addressing our students as much as possible - especially when they first enter.

I think back to the summer I entered JMU, and I remember Uncle Ron addressing the incoming freshmen and then our parents during orientation, and then seeing him at Band Camp.

The original comment was made in reference to JMU's "Choices" events, where students who have been offered admission are visiting campus, but have not yet accepted admission. The GT program is for newly enrolled freshmen at GT, not just those shopping for their school of choice.

Whereas there are several dates on which JMU's "Choices" take place, there is another date at which (like GT) newly enrolled freshmen at JMU are welcomed to campus and addressed as a group (in fact there are several such occasions), and you will find President Alger does appear at those functions.

Sorry to poke a hole in this inflated bit of outrage at Alger, but the original post, and the follow up referencing the GT ceremony, are but misinformed perceptions of how JMU handles the undergraduate recruitment and enrollment process.

I've met the man, nice guy, and one who the wife and I could have dinner with (where I could show him how to wear a cowboy hat), but never should he hold the title of President of James Madison University. If there is outrage, it should be directed at those who named him our leader. He is who he is and his resume clearly painted a picture of the man. He is exactly what they wanted.

Okay, the next time JMU is in the market for a President, we'll be sure you have a chance to meet him or her so you can veto any mistakes up front.

In the meantime the rest of us who work with Alger (and not just on an occasional basis) will soldier on.

Well now, finally we agree with the vetting process coming through me. You can be so stubborn but at least on this one we are on the same page. All fun and games aside it does appear, through your own words, that a mistake was made, and by the mere fact he has been retained, the "mistakes" (your words not mine) continue.

I don't buddy around with the President, but he has done some remarkably positive things for JMU that (to an outside observer) would possibly not be seen as being particularly important. That shared, his hiring was not a mistake. In fact, I'd say he has done quite a bit of good in creating a more open and trusting dialog between faculty, staff and the Senior Administration. Goodness knows it was needed.

These days it's very uncommon for a President to serve more than 5-6 years. Any tenure approaching a decade is the exception. I doubt we'll see a repeat of Ron Carrier in our lifetime, and I wouldn't be surprised if President Alger retires (or moves to another school) within that timeframe.

(08-22-2016 11:34 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-22-2016 08:28 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(08-22-2016 08:20 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 10:20 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 10:05 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  The original comment was made in reference to JMU's "Choices" events, where students who have been offered admission are visiting campus, but have not yet accepted admission. The GT program is for newly enrolled freshmen at GT, not just those shopping for their school of choice.

Whereas there are several dates on which JMU's "Choices" take place, there is another date at which (like GT) newly enrolled freshmen at JMU are welcomed to campus and addressed as a group (in fact there are several such occasions), and you will find President Alger does appear at those functions.

Sorry to poke a hole in this inflated bit of outrage at Alger, but the original post, and the follow up referencing the GT ceremony, are but misinformed perceptions of how JMU handles the undergraduate recruitment and enrollment process.

I've met the man, nice guy, and one who the wife and I could have dinner with (where I could show him how to wear a cowboy hat), but never should he hold the title of President of James Madison University. If there is outrage, it should be directed at those who named him our leader. He is who he is and his resume clearly painted a picture of the man. He is exactly what they wanted.

Okay, the next time JMU is in the market for a President, we'll be sure you have a chance to meet him or her so you can veto any mistakes up front.

In the meantime the rest of us who work with Alger (and not just on an occasional basis) will soldier on.

Well now, finally we agree with the vetting process coming through me. You can be so stubborn but at least on this one we are on the same page. All fun and games aside it does appear, through your own words, that a mistake was made, and by the mere fact he has been retained, the "mistakes" (your words not mine) continue.

I don't buddy around with the President, but he has done some remarkably positive things for JMU that (to an outside observer) would possibly not be seen as being particularly important. That shared, his hiring was not a mistake. In fact, I'd say he has done quite a bit of good in creating a more open and trusting dialog between faculty, staff and the Senior Administration. Goodness knows it was needed.

These days it's very uncommon for a President to serve more than 5-6 years. Any tenure approaching a decade is the exception. I doubt we'll see a repeat of Ron Carrier in our lifetime, and I wouldn't be surprised if President Alger retires (or moves to another school) within that timeframe.

Don't mean to go too far off topic but this is something that has intrigued me for a long time now. I know in the past that you mentioned that Dr. Rose was not good with interacting with the faculty, pointing out that he only met with the faculty senate twice in his 12 years as president, once for a farewell get together (feel free to correct, this is my recollection of a post you made a long time ago). We also know (again, IIRC) that the faculty went long stretches of time with no or very modest raises (feel free to correct me here) during his tenure. Do you feel that Alger's ability to "create a more open and trusting dialogue between faculty, staff and the senior administration" is above and beyond the norm at other universities or are you comparing him to his predecessor ("goodness knows it was needed")?

most professors ive spoken with have less than high views of Alger

(08-22-2016 12:32 PM)Centdukesfan Wrote:  most professors ive spoken with have less than high views of Alger

+4 the number of professors who I know feel this way

An introverted diversity attorney from new jersey who opposes cost of attendance for athletes - who would have know he would be such a perfect fit for JMU?

(08-22-2016 12:23 PM)JMUETC Wrote:  

(08-22-2016 11:34 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-22-2016 08:28 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(08-22-2016 08:20 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-21-2016 10:20 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  I've met the man, nice guy, and one who the wife and I could have dinner with (where I could show him how to wear a cowboy hat), but never should he hold the title of President of James Madison University. If there is outrage, it should be directed at those who named him our leader. He is who he is and his resume clearly painted a picture of the man. He is exactly what they wanted.

Okay, the next time JMU is in the market for a President, we'll be sure you have a chance to meet him or her so you can veto any mistakes up front.

In the meantime the rest of us who work with Alger (and not just on an occasional basis) will soldier on.

Well now, finally we agree with the vetting process coming through me. You can be so stubborn but at least on this one we are on the same page. All fun and games aside it does appear, through your own words, that a mistake was made, and by the mere fact he has been retained, the "mistakes" (your words not mine) continue.

I don't buddy around with the President, but he has done some remarkably positive things for JMU that (to an outside observer) would possibly not be seen as being particularly important. That shared, his hiring was not a mistake. In fact, I'd say he has done quite a bit of good in creating a more open and trusting dialog between faculty, staff and the Senior Administration. Goodness knows it was needed.

These days it's very uncommon for a President to serve more than 5-6 years. Any tenure approaching a decade is the exception. I doubt we'll see a repeat of Ron Carrier in our lifetime, and I wouldn't be surprised if President Alger retires (or moves to another school) within that timeframe.

Don't mean to go too far off topic but this is something that has intrigued me for a long time now. I know in the past that you mentioned that Dr. Rose was not good with interacting with the faculty, pointing out that he only met with the faculty senate twice in his 12 years as president, once for a farewell get together (feel free to correct, this is my recollection of a post you made a long time ago). We also know (again, IIRC) that the faculty went long stretches of time with no or very modest raises (feel free to correct me here) during his tenure. Do you feel that Alger's ability to "create a more open and trusting dialogue between faculty, staff and the senior administration" is above and beyond the norm at other universities or are you comparing him to his predecessor ("goodness knows it was needed")?

A bit of both. Alger "gets the faculty" and has actively reached out to them. Neither Carrier or Rose spent any time or effort doing that, but Carrier was smarter and more charismatic than Rose, and could smooze his way thru conflict. Alger is a nice guy, and is super smart, but he lacks the charisma of a Carrier. As such, Alger is above average, but not superior. Think .250 major-league hitter with an above avg. glove, but he's no threat on the bases, and isn't going to the HOF.

(08-22-2016 12:32 PM)Centdukesfan Wrote:  most professors ive spoken with have less than high views of Alger

My sense is that the majority of faculty don't have an opinion (or the basis of forming a rational opinion) one way or the other. This majority would consist of faculty who have been at JMU less than 10 years.

Those of us who have been around JMU 20 years or more, and who have represented the faculty in numerous leadership positions (such as the Faculty Senate, or the more important standing University Committees like the Committee on Academic Programs or "CAP") would say Alger is competent and doing a "good" job.

He's not a "rah rah" kinda guy (Duh), however, he's been consistently committed to addressing the historic staff and faculty compensation issues that had been left to fester under Rose, and I think some of the lingering distrust of the administration isn't a specific problem with Alger, but simply the after effects of 14 years of Rose.

(08-22-2016 07:45 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-22-2016 12:23 PM)JMUETC Wrote:  

(08-22-2016 11:34 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(08-22-2016 08:28 AM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(08-22-2016 08:20 AM)Longhorn Wrote:  Okay, the next time JMU is in the market for a President, we'll be sure you have a chance to meet him or her so you can veto any mistakes up front.

In the meantime the rest of us who work with Alger (and not just on an occasional basis) will soldier on.

Well now, finally we agree with the vetting process coming through me. You can be so stubborn but at least on this one we are on the same page. All fun and games aside it does appear, through your own words, that a mistake was made, and by the mere fact he has been retained, the "mistakes" (your words not mine) continue.

I don't buddy around with the President, but he has done some remarkably positive things for JMU that (to an outside observer) would possibly not be seen as being particularly important. That shared, his hiring was not a mistake. In fact, I'd say he has done quite a bit of good in creating a more open and trusting dialog between faculty, staff and the Senior Administration. Goodness knows it was needed.

These days it's very uncommon for a President to serve more than 5-6 years. Any tenure approaching a decade is the exception. I doubt we'll see a repeat of Ron Carrier in our lifetime, and I wouldn't be surprised if President Alger retires (or moves to another school) within that timeframe.

Don't mean to go too far off topic but this is something that has intrigued me for a long time now. I know in the past that you mentioned that Dr. Rose was not good with interacting with the faculty, pointing out that he only met with the faculty senate twice in his 12 years as president, once for a farewell get together (feel free to correct, this is my recollection of a post you made a long time ago). We also know (again, IIRC) that the faculty went long stretches of time with no or very modest raises (feel free to correct me here) during his tenure. Do you feel that Alger's ability to "create a more open and trusting dialogue between faculty, staff and the senior administration" is above and beyond the norm at other universities or are you comparing him to his predecessor ("goodness knows it was needed")?

A bit of both. Alger "gets the faculty" and has actively reached out to them. Neither Carrier or Rose spent any time or effort doing that, but Carrier was smarter and more charismatic than Rose, and could smooze his way thru conflict. Alger is a nice guy, and is super smart, but he lacks the charisma of a Carrier. As such, Alger is above average, but not superior. Think .250 major-league hitter with an above avg. glove, but he's no threat on the bases, and isn't going to the HOF.

Good to know. Thanks.