Presentations have now been posted:
http://alumni.memphis.edu/s/1728/15/inde...&pgid=1668

(08-09-2018 04:43 PM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  Anybody else attend the Vision Forum at FIT on campus last Saturday. It was my third and they have all been quality experiences.

What they shared:
Yes the Phase 1 on park Avenue Campus is rolling.

No, we don't have a specific date for Phase 2 but money in hand was mentioned as an issue to address.

Yes the Music Building, an awesome structure is moving forward. I think they said $11,000,000 given and state match covers the rest.

Yes the land bridge is under construction and with it street closures, parking garage, Rec Building, reworking of south of the track fields and amenities.

Yes, Elma Rhone Field House had a face lift and the old girl now shines.

Yes, Patterson will soon be straightened and malfunction junction will be no more.

Yes, Rudd is leading plans for new gateways to the campus. on all sides. Some surprises they told us not to share yet.

Yes, more on campus housing partnerships to come.

Yes, many years of significant improvements on the Highland strip are coming. Included is a new pedestrian crosswalk on Highland.

Yes, more improvements are coming to Park Avenue campus overall not just athletics.

Yes, a new middle school in partnership with SCS is coming.

Yes, with continued procurement of properties the campus edges will continue to expand and linkages to Park Avenue will be improved.

We had Norvell by Video.
Miller filled in for Penny who was delayed while recruiting.
Bowen got loud and excited with tons of positivity but man he can sure use "I" a lot.
Coach Rock did a good job and had a great joke I'm saving for the perfect time.
Heard from Tony Poteet with the longest presentation covering all of the campus improvements, building remodels, new facilities on the books and those on the waiting list.
Provost Karen Weddle-West cranked out a ton of academic accomplishments that would make you proud.

After we broke up into focus group and alumni chapter business. It was a full day and we left with a swag bag.

Our leadership is in good hands!

When the whole Big12 fiasco was happening, we had visits from most Big12 school representatives; I think only one school did not visit at some point. The 3 knocks against us were our academic standing, facilities, both on campus and for sports, and low endowment.

Everybody came away impressed. Because of perception, they were surprised at how nice the university is, they were impressed by the vision we have for the future and they were impressed by Rudd and had faith that he could execute the plan.

(09-03-2018 11:56 AM)NDTiger Wrote:  Presentations have now been posted:
http://alumni.memphis.edu/s/1728/15/inde...&pgid=1668

Thanks for posting that. Note for the skeptics at the 10:30 mark of Part two is the presentation on the Patterson Realignment. A few details to finish before releasing for bid but Tony says time-line set to go with the opening of the new 1,100+ parking garage across the tracks.

(09-03-2018 12:04 PM)Stammers Wrote:  

(08-09-2018 04:43 PM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  Anybody else attend the Vision Forum at FIT on campus last Saturday. It was my third and they have all been quality experiences.

What they shared:
Yes the Phase 1 on park Avenue Campus is rolling.

No, we don't have a specific date for Phase 2 but money in hand was mentioned as an issue to address.

Yes the Music Building, an awesome structure is moving forward. I think they said $11,000,000 given and state match covers the rest.

Yes the land bridge is under construction and with it street closures, parking garage, Rec Building, reworking of south of the track fields and amenities.

Yes, Elma Rhone Field House had a face lift and the old girl now shines.

Yes, Patterson will soon be straightened and malfunction junction will be no more.

Yes, Rudd is leading plans for new gateways to the campus. on all sides. Some surprises they told us not to share yet.

Yes, more on campus housing partnerships to come.

Yes, many years of significant improvements on the Highland strip are coming. Included is a new pedestrian crosswalk on Highland.

Yes, more improvements are coming to Park Avenue campus overall not just athletics.

Yes, a new middle school in partnership with SCS is coming.

Yes, with continued procurement of properties the campus edges will continue to expand and linkages to Park Avenue will be improved.

We had Norvell by Video.
Miller filled in for Penny who was delayed while recruiting.
Bowen got loud and excited with tons of positivity but man he can sure use "I" a lot.
Coach Rock did a good job and had a great joke I'm saving for the perfect time.
Heard from Tony Poteet with the longest presentation covering all of the campus improvements, building remodels, new facilities on the books and those on the waiting list.
Provost Karen Weddle-West cranked out a ton of academic accomplishments that would make you proud.

After we broke up into focus group and alumni chapter business. It was a full day and we left with a swag bag.

Our leadership is in good hands!

When the whole Big12 fiasco was happening, we had visits from most Big12 school representatives; I think only one school did not visit at some point. The 3 knocks against us were our academic standing, facilities, both on campus and for sports, and low endowment.

Everybody came away impressed. Because of perception, they were surprised at how nice the university is, they were impressed by the vision we have for the future and they were impressed by Rudd and had faith that he could execute the plan.

The universities endowment is low. I mean tiny. Not sure on how to improve that other than fund raising and it seems like they have stretched that pretty thin with other goals.

(09-03-2018 12:04 PM)Stammers Wrote:  

(08-09-2018 04:43 PM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  Anybody else attend the Vision Forum at FIT on campus last Saturday. It was my third and they have all been quality experiences.

What they shared:
Yes the Phase 1 on park Avenue Campus is rolling.

No, we don't have a specific date for Phase 2 but money in hand was mentioned as an issue to address.

Yes the Music Building, an awesome structure is moving forward. I think they said $11,000,000 given and state match covers the rest.

Yes the land bridge is under construction and with it street closures, parking garage, Rec Building, reworking of south of the track fields and amenities.

Yes, Elma Rhone Field House had a face lift and the old girl now shines.

Yes, Patterson will soon be straightened and malfunction junction will be no more.

Yes, Rudd is leading plans for new gateways to the campus. on all sides. Some surprises they told us not to share yet.

Yes, more on campus housing partnerships to come.

Yes, many years of significant improvements on the Highland strip are coming. Included is a new pedestrian crosswalk on Highland.

Yes, more improvements are coming to Park Avenue campus overall not just athletics.

Yes, a new middle school in partnership with SCS is coming.

Yes, with continued procurement of properties the campus edges will continue to expand and linkages to Park Avenue will be improved.

We had Norvell by Video.
Miller filled in for Penny who was delayed while recruiting.
Bowen got loud and excited with tons of positivity but man he can sure use "I" a lot.
Coach Rock did a good job and had a great joke I'm saving for the perfect time.
Heard from Tony Poteet with the longest presentation covering all of the campus improvements, building remodels, new facilities on the books and those on the waiting list.
Provost Karen Weddle-West cranked out a ton of academic accomplishments that would make you proud.

After we broke up into focus group and alumni chapter business. It was a full day and we left with a swag bag.

Our leadership is in good hands!

When the whole Big12 fiasco was happening, we had visits from most Big12 school representatives; I think only one school did not visit at some point. The 3 knocks against us were our academic standing, facilities, both on campus and for sports, and low endowment.

Everybody came away impressed. Because of perception, they were surprised at how nice the university is, they were impressed by the vision we have for the future and they were impressed by Rudd and had faith that he could execute the plan.

The endowment is low. I mean tiny. Not sure on how to improve that other than fund raising and it seems like they have stretched that pretty thin with other goals.

Great post! Thanks!

(09-05-2018 09:25 AM)tigerlands Wrote:  

(09-03-2018 12:04 PM)Stammers Wrote:  

(08-09-2018 04:43 PM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  Anybody else attend the Vision Forum at FIT on campus last Saturday. It was my third and they have all been quality experiences.

What they shared:
Yes the Phase 1 on park Avenue Campus is rolling.

No, we don't have a specific date for Phase 2 but money in hand was mentioned as an issue to address.

Yes the Music Building, an awesome structure is moving forward. I think they said $11,000,000 given and state match covers the rest.

Yes the land bridge is under construction and with it street closures, parking garage, Rec Building, reworking of south of the track fields and amenities.

Yes, Elma Rhone Field House had a face lift and the old girl now shines.

Yes, Patterson will soon be straightened and malfunction junction will be no more.

Yes, Rudd is leading plans for new gateways to the campus. on all sides. Some surprises they told us not to share yet.

Yes, more on campus housing partnerships to come.

Yes, many years of significant improvements on the Highland strip are coming. Included is a new pedestrian crosswalk on Highland.

Yes, more improvements are coming to Park Avenue campus overall not just athletics.

Yes, a new middle school in partnership with SCS is coming.

Yes, with continued procurement of properties the campus edges will continue to expand and linkages to Park Avenue will be improved.

We had Norvell by Video.
Miller filled in for Penny who was delayed while recruiting.
Bowen got loud and excited with tons of positivity but man he can sure use "I" a lot.
Coach Rock did a good job and had a great joke I'm saving for the perfect time.
Heard from Tony Poteet with the longest presentation covering all of the campus improvements, building remodels, new facilities on the books and those on the waiting list.
Provost Karen Weddle-West cranked out a ton of academic accomplishments that would make you proud.

After we broke up into focus group and alumni chapter business. It was a full day and we left with a swag bag.

Our leadership is in good hands!

When the whole Big12 fiasco was happening, we had visits from most Big12 school representatives; I think only one school did not visit at some point. The 3 knocks against us were our academic standing, facilities, both on campus and for sports, and low endowment.

Everybody came away impressed. Because of perception, they were surprised at how nice the university is, they were impressed by the vision we have for the future and they were impressed by Rudd and had faith that he could execute the plan.

The endowment is low. I mean tiny. Not sure on how to improve that other than fund raising and it seems like they have stretched that pretty thin with other goals.

If they could somehow figure out how to establish a medical school or even dental school (maybe in Jackson?), endowment issues would take care of themselves.

(09-05-2018 09:42 AM)gulfcoastgal Wrote:  If they could somehow figure out how to establish a medical school or even dental school (maybe in Jackson?), endowment issues would take care of themselves.

Are you clairvoyant, or maybe just connected?

https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/n...200639002/

(09-04-2018 02:45 PM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  

(09-03-2018 11:56 AM)NDTiger Wrote:  Presentations have now been posted:
http://alumni.memphis.edu/s/1728/15/inde...&pgid=1668

Thanks for posting that. Note for the skeptics at the 10:30 mark of Part two is the presentation on the Patterson Realignment. A few details to finish before releasing for bid but Tony says time-line set to go with the opening of the new 1,100+ parking garage across the tracks.

Is there any interest in expanding enrollment? AFAIK, U of M has about 21K combined grad and undergrad? Seems low for a city our size when the other 3 local 4 years combine for less than 5K. But, it could ding admission and graduation percentages which administrators rightfully are concerned about, and which rankings wrongfully put too much weight on (esp the grad within x years).

It's a process, and we are definitely headed in the right direction. The construction projects are great news. Hopefully we have reached the tipping point for growth. Everyone needs to share the progress with others, especially business owners and professionals who could contribute to the endowment and understand the importance of a thriving university on a thriving community. They need to see the link between area universities (even those they didn't graduate from) to their community to their business to their bottom line and quality of life. This is why in an ideal world Ark State and Ole Miss would also be maximizing their potentials along with the U of M, Rhodes, CBU, LOC, SCO, UTHSC, St. Jude Grad, Union, etc. We need us all pulling in the same direction.

(09-05-2018 02:50 PM)kabluey Wrote:  

(09-04-2018 02:45 PM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  

(09-03-2018 11:56 AM)NDTiger Wrote:  Presentations have now been posted:
http://alumni.memphis.edu/s/1728/15/inde...&pgid=1668

Thanks for posting that. Note for the skeptics at the 10:30 mark of Part two is the presentation on the Patterson Realignment. A few details to finish before releasing for bid but Tony says time-line set to go with the opening of the new 1,100+ parking garage across the tracks.

Is there any interest in expanding enrollment? AFAIK, U of M has about 21K combined grad and undergrad? Seems low for a city our size when the other 3 local 4 years combine for less than 5K. But, it could ding admission and graduation percentages which administrators rightfully are concerned about, and which rankings wrongfully put too much weight on (esp the grad within x years).

It's a process, and we are definitely headed in the right direction. The construction projects are great news. Hopefully we have reached the tipping point for growth. Everyone needs to share the progress with others, especially business owners and professionals who could contribute to the endowment and understand the importance of a thriving university on a thriving community. They need to see the link between area universities (even those they didn't graduate from) to their community to their business to their bottom line and quality of life. This is why in an ideal world Ark State and Ole Miss would also be maximizing their potentials along with the U of M, Rhodes, CBU, LOC, SCO, UTHSC, St. Jude Grad, Union, etc. We need us all pulling in the same direction.

Yes, growth is a goal but the landscape of higher ed has changed. Tons more options including massive growth in on-line options. When the FedEx tuition support program has a little time under its belt, especially when it expands to all hubs Rudd says by numbers we will be the largest unit in the state.

There is a trend toward micro credentials and certifications in many fields including many tech areas. I recently attended an event in Memphis called the Age of Agility that combined workforce execs and higher ed folks including Rudd. FedEx and Hilton both openly supported the concept of credentialing over traditional degree paths in many areas of need. Rudd was his usually innovative thinking, motivational, UM promoting self.

In education it’s change or die. Maintaining quality is the biggest challenge in cyber education.

As a Memphis Alumnus it brings joy to my heart to see just how much we are progressing since I was a student there.

Thanks all for sharing so much. Muy appreciado.

I drove around campus the other day, going down a Midland it looked like the SigEp house was the only fraternity house occupied. What’s going on there.

Yesterday's BOT meeting had some good info on building projects as well as enrollment growth/targets. I had it on in the background and haven't gone back to pick up specs, but recall Rudd mentioning getting a financing proposal ready in the coming months so there is no gap between phase I and II of the football facilities. Also, I think I heard a presenter say half of the 1500 or so FedEx Global inquiries have enrolled and the program is rolling out to Indy within the month (think he said three weeks).

(09-06-2018 08:05 AM)U_of_Elvis Wrote:  I drove around campus the other day, going down a Midland it looked like the SigEp house was the only fraternity house occupied. What’s going on there.

SAE just got shut down for 5 years. Pike has been shut down for a while.

(09-06-2018 06:34 AM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  [prior quotes clipped for brevity]

Yes, growth is a goal but the landscape of higher ed has changed. Tons more options including massive growth in on-line options. When the FedEx tuition support program has a little time under its belt, especially when it expands to all hubs Rudd says by numbers we will be the largest unit in the state.

There is a trend toward micro credentials and certifications in many fields including many tech areas. I recently attended an event in Memphis called the Age of Agility that combined workforce execs and higher ed folks including Rudd. FedEx and Hilton both openly supported the concept of credentialing over traditional degree paths in many areas of need. Rudd was his usually innovative thinking, motivational, UM promoting self.

In education it’s change or die. Maintaining quality is the biggest challenge in cyber education.

I trust the leaders are looking at all options, and that they understand the indispensability of in-person students in a community's growth of transplanted talent. I too have seen the growth of online and distance learning, especially over at Arizona State (distance learning, as well as multi-campuses is a big part of their exceeding 100K in enrollment) and other schools that, granted, have a power-5 and land/space/etc grant advantage. I'm not expecting comparable numbers, but am hoping for growth in the university that will contribute to new residents of the city and their innovations and businesses after graduation. Universities seem the quickest way to bring in new people and start enticing them to stay.

The FedEx bachelor's initiative and, if rapidly expanded, an online-only program, have very solid precedents, which should help the university keep pace with leaders in educational innovation. So hopefully both online/tech and expanded enrollment can be achieved.

(09-05-2018 02:50 PM)kabluey Wrote:  Is there any interest in expanding enrollment?

In short, yes.

https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news...rgest.html

Rudd noted that the FedEx/U of M Global partnership has been well-received. Roughly 11,000 local FedEx employees are currently eligible for the free-tuition degree program, and it will expand to FedEx hubs in Indianapolis and Oakland, California, over the next few months.
***
As part of Rudd’s presentation to the board, one of his slides said: “Don’t be surprised if U of M is the largest university in Tennessee in 24 months.” For the Fall 2017 semester, the U of M had approximately 21,500 students enrolled compared to about 28,000 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

As someone else mentioned, Rudd typically doesn't step out on statements unless he feels very certain of them.

(09-06-2018 11:36 AM)kabluey Wrote:  

(09-06-2018 06:34 AM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  [prior quotes clipped for brevity]

Yes, growth is a goal but the landscape of higher ed has changed. Tons more options including massive growth in on-line options. When the FedEx tuition support program has a little time under its belt, especially when it expands to all hubs Rudd says by numbers we will be the largest unit in the state.

There is a trend toward micro credentials and certifications in many fields including many tech areas. I recently attended an event in Memphis called the Age of Agility that combined workforce execs and higher ed folks including Rudd. FedEx and Hilton both openly supported the concept of credentialing over traditional degree paths in many areas of need. Rudd was his usually innovative thinking, motivational, UM promoting self.

In education it’s change or die. Maintaining quality is the biggest challenge in cyber education.

I trust the leaders are looking at all options, and that they understand the indispensability of in-person students in a community's growth of transplanted talent. I too have seen the growth of online and distance learning, especially over at Arizona State (distance learning, as well as multi-campuses is a big part of their exceeding 100K in enrollment) and other schools that, granted, have a power-5 and land/space/etc grant advantage. I'm not expecting comparable numbers, but am hoping for growth in the university that will contribute to new residents of the city and their innovations and businesses after graduation. Universities seem the quickest way to bring in new people and start enticing them to stay.

The FedEx bachelor's initiative and, if rapidly expanded, an online-only program, have very solid precedents, which should help the university keep pace with leaders in educational innovation. So hopefully both online/tech and expanded enrollment can be achieved.

Growth is a definite goal of the university in many areas. To do it right takes time. If you admit to many marginal students to get enrollment up, your retention and graduation rates(which are now state funding metrics) take a hit. Increasing graduation rates means dips in enrollment because more students graduate on time.

Between the UM Global online program, the FedEx program, the potential to expand that program to other corporations, and Dr. Rudd's goal of expanding the reduced out of state tuition program, we could see some significant growth in the next few years. I think largest in the state is very optimistic but he knows what's talking about.

(09-06-2018 10:07 AM)3601 Wrote:  

(09-06-2018 08:05 AM)U_of_Elvis Wrote:  I drove around campus the other day, going down a Midland it looked like the SigEp house was the only fraternity house occupied. What’s going on there.

SAE just got shut down for 5 years. Pike has been shut down for a while.

The SAE house looked like crap. It's a good facility, housing corp or whomever owns it needs to do something with it to keep it from falling apart while empty.

ATO house should probably be condemned and get it over with unless they poured a lot of money into it since the late 90s.

I believe the university neighborhood associations have been pushing code enforcement and environmental court to condemn and demolish the ATO house. I think the SAE house is on pretty bad shape. It may be more structurally sound than ATO but I bet it needs tens of thousands of dollars of work to get it to comparable to the new dorms on campus and newer apartments that have gone up in the past few years.

(09-06-2018 12:20 PM)tigergreen Wrote:  

(09-05-2018 02:50 PM)kabluey Wrote:  Is there any interest in expanding enrollment?

In short, yes.

https://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/news...rgest.html

Rudd noted that the FedEx/U of M Global partnership has been well-received. Roughly 11,000 local FedEx employees are currently eligible for the free-tuition degree program, and it will expand to FedEx hubs in Indianapolis and Oakland, California, over the next few months.
***
As part of Rudd’s presentation to the board, one of his slides said: “Don’t be surprised if U of M is the largest university in Tennessee in 24 months.” For the Fall 2017 semester, the U of M had approximately 21,500 students enrolled compared to about 28,000 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

As someone else mentioned, Rudd typically doesn't step out on statements unless he feels very certain of them.

Just saw that. That is great news. And expanding Memphis' brand to Indy and Oakland is awesome for the city and the university. I cant stress how integral I think number of students is on most growing cities. Seems like Rudd is adopting some of the best or newest (I suspect both, but some are too early to tell) practices out there. I like the direction and ambition, and just hope the message is shared across the community to generate more local donations and business-education research collaborations