RE: UT Chancellor Search Finalists
CAPS SO YOU CAN FIND MY COMMENTS, NOT BECAUSE I AM YELLING.
If Dr. Noland happens to not go to Knoxville, will the fact that he’s looking to leave ETSU hamper his leadership, effectiveness, and his ability to motivate and inspire the ETSU staff going forward as he “waits in the wings” for the next opportunity?
NO IMPACT ON HIS LEADERSHIP. THIS IS VIEWED SOMEWHAT SIMILARLY TO THE WAY MOST FANS VIEW STEVE FORBES. DR. NOLAND IS HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND IN DEMAND BECAUSE OF HIS TALENTS. FEW WOULD WANT TO STAND IN THE WAY OF HIM ADVANCING HIS CAREER.
Instead of playing the old second fiddle, hat in hand, subservient role to UT —- shouldn’t our Board of Trustees begin to assert themselves more, to be more visible, show more leadership, and state their expectations and aspirations for ETSU longterm?
THERE IS NOT A PERCEPTION OF PLAYING SECOND FIDDLE TO UT. UT HAS A DIFFERENT MISSION. STRATEGIC PLANNING IS A FUNCTION OF THE ADMINISTRATION, NOT A FUNCTION OF THE BOT. THE BOT ENDORSES OR REJECTS A STRATEGIC PLAN. IF THEY ENDORSE A STRATEGIC PLAN, IT IS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO REVIEW REPORTS FROM ADMINISTRATION REGARDING PROGRESS TOWARD THAT PLAN.
How much power do the Trustees actually have under this new TN higher education structure?
COMPLETE AUTHORITY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO COMPLY WITH THEC GUIDELINES. THAT SAID, THE BOT CANNOT BY LAW MICROMANAGE BECAUSE THE BOT HAS ONLY TWO EMPLOYEES, THE PRESIDENT AND THE INTERNAL AUDITOR.
To me, they need to step forward and go to bat for ETSU first and foremost — flush the attitude of ETSU being a stepping stone for UT or anybody else.
THAT IS A SOMEWHAT UNREALISTIC EXPECTATION IN HIGHER EDUCATION. AS I HAVE STATED IN OTHER POSTINGS, TALENTED INDIVIDUALS IN HIGHER EDUCATION OFTEN PUT THEIR TALENTS UP FOR SALE IN THE MARKETPLACE. IT ISN'T A STEPPING STONE, IT IS THE REALITY OF HIGHER EDUCATION. COACHES COME AND GO, PRESIDENTS COME AND GO, PROVOSTS COME AND GO, DEANS COME AND GO, FACULTY COME AND GO. ONE ISSUE IMPACTING ATTRACTING TALENT IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN TENNESSEE IS THE POLITICAL LEANINGS OF THE STATE AND THAT IMPACTS PRESIDENTS, PROVOSTS, DEANS, FACULTY AND KEY STAFF POSITIONS. IT IS BECOMING DIFFICULT TO ATTRACT TALENT TO A STATE THAT EQUATES A UNIVERSITY'S ROLE IN HIGHER EDUCATION TO THAT OF A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL. WHILE UNIVERSITIES HAVE A ROLE IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, UNIVERSITIES PREPARE GRADUATES FOR A LIFETIME OF EARNINGS IN PROFESSIONS THAT MAY NOT CURRENTLY EXIST. VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS PREPARE WORKERS FOR JOBS. SOCIETY NEEDS BOTH INSTITUTIONS, BUT THE ROLES ARE NOT THE SAME.
(This post was last modified: 04-14-2019 08:08 AM by BucDoctor.)
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