(05-08-2018 07:44 AM)PTLROCK Wrote: One of the points the UT President made recently as a key factor in University national rankings was the number of alumni that donate. A gift as little as $50 annually has a lot to do with university rankings. If UT graduates, or fans have any loyalty, an annual gift means a lot.
It does because it shows retained interest. It has to be a goal, keep graduates from "moving on." $10 this year, becomes $1000 and more as disposable income increases in post children years.
If a grad leaves with any bad feelings on their experiences, it quickly gets forgotten if for no other reason than no one goes into a workplace talking about how badly educated they were. Heck, Columbus St made a career of putting out LARGE numbers of mediocre graduates and thanks to a football team (they admit this) kept that loyalty, used those donations to grow the academics until they are legitimately, a reasonably good school.
(05-08-2018 07:44 AM)PTLROCK Wrote: It is really impressive the value on credibility UT has placed on academics. This has been a fairly recent focus that has been very successful.
Beyond words, what have they done? Only graduate improvement on professional tests, something with direct comparison to other universities will support your statement. Until then, it's smoke and mirrors and this is why I say the University does not want to put promotion into the Athletic GPA thing. It has zero unbiased sources and is too easily challenged thanks to common reason but supported by this rankings fiasco.
Athletes do not call themselves better when not based upon direct competition. The university/AD department should not be doing it for them. It's bad form and a terrible arrogance.
As is, the only ones the athletes can claim to be academically better than are their fellow students. And THAT's bad for general population morale because the general population student does not have access to the same extensive resources they are paying for.
What I'm being called "a-hole" for pointing out, is something that's going to cause adverse reaction against athletics. Bothersome that some can't see that through the rose colored glasses. But given that, go ask the students. There is backlash coming.
People need to think the perspectives of those who are the lifeblood of the university, the entirety of the student population. Not just a small segment.