In our post-meeting conversation, Gee said again that what is happening at WVU is happening at many other universities. The pandemic led to the great droput, and federal COVID funds were perhaps spent with less discipline than was needed. “This is not a surprise.”
He and Willis-Miller said WVU began looking at transformation back in 2020. “The pandemic really interrupted what we had thought would be a longer-range project,” Willis-Miller said.

So coming out of the pandemic, the transformation is accelerated.

“We want to get this transformation done and get on to being an even greater university,” Willis-Miller said.

And Gee added, “I do believe speed is our friend. The faster you go through this process, I do believe you squeeze fear out of the room. There’s a lot of fear that we need to address and we need to address it quickly so we can get on with our business.”

But, he said, “We are not in crisis. We actually are doing quite well.”

Fewer than 5% of people at WVU will be affected by the transformation, he said. “Those are individual lives and we’re cornered about our university family members.” Being under review doesn’t mean something will get chopped. They are about becoming a 21st century university serving the needs of the state, and business and industry in the state, and keeping young people here.

The transformation is beginning with data – how well programs are doing in enrollment and financially, they said. The BOG set metrics to meet for the deficit and they decided to move quickly – with BOG’s vote on recommendations set for Sept. 15.

Willis-Miller said, “If we didn’t have a budget deficit, I think this board would still say, ‘Continue with the transformation.”

'

Gee admitted that program reviews haven’t been done as robustly as they should have been. From now on, he said, one third of WVU’s programs will be reviewed each year.

We talked to Gee and Willis-Miller about faculty comments to The Dominion Post that cuts that already have occurred and will occur could damage WVU’s reputation.

Gee disagreed. “I think without doing what we’re doing, our future would be very bleak.” While doing what they’re doing raises short-term difficulties, long term it will enhance the quality of WVU.

Already, he said, research numbers are up substantially, the WVU Medicine system spans 24 hospitals, the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute is a national leader.

I think our reputation is very solid and it will grow by the decisions we are making right now.” There will be losses, but also gain. He prefers to think of cuts as investments. “I believe that we are developing an investment strategy that will sustain us for the long term.”

For an hour in the morning. It's a lighter day like last week, but I'll have updates from everything I see as usual.

Has anyone bought the new CRT Polo and if so are the sizes true to form?

Thanks in advance

More Democrat policies doing what they do to Blue cities everywhere. What's your take, @Soaring Eagle 74?

LINK: Americans are fleeing cities with high property taxes (Someone has to pay for all of that free stuff, right? I must be the burden of those who work and contribute)

EXCERPT: The problem is home prices have steadily risen this year amid a worsening inventory shortage, meaning property taxes are going up in real terms, where rates are not explicitly cut or capped, like California and Colorado.

"Some places, like Cleveland and Connecticut, are now in something akin to a death spiral," the study said. "They have raised property tax rates so much that a modestly priced home carries a huge annual tax price tag. Even with much higher effective property tax rates, the decline in home values and lack of price appreciation has depleted the coffers of local governments."

Defend your party's policies, @Soaring Eagle 74. What policies of Trump's hurt you and or America? Can you let go of Trump's tater tots long enough to answer?

LINK: Your Democrat policies at work

EXCERPT: "Defund the Police lunatics who pine for an anti-cop utopia just got their wish," Washington Times opinion editor Charlie Hurt said Wednesday on "The Five."

Shew

Any ideas on a good bar for drinks and food pregame?

"Applaud me bleaters...Applaud me. I'll tell you what's good and what's bad."

Democrats and their bleaters are destroying our country

LINK: Pelosi nudged a similar audience to clap during her remarks on the IRA at the White House last year

EXCERPT: Former House Speaker Nancy Pukeosi, D-Calif., struggled to drum up support amid her remarks about the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on Wednesday, insisting the audience should clap throughout certain parts of her speech.

Joined by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., at the White House to boast about the measure on its one-year anniversary, Pukeosi touted what she believes to be benefits of the IRA, which she described as a "remarkable accomplishment."

Pukeosi said there is "no more urgent task than saving our planet," claiming the issue of climate change is a "health issue," an "economic issue," and a "moral issue."

What Happens To The Rose Bowl Following The PAC 12’s Collapse?​

A view of the Rose Bowl ahead of a matchup between Utah and Ohio State.© Getty Image

Conference realignment has completely changed the landscape of college sports. Most effected by the movement has been the PAC 12, whose future is uncertain following the loss of eight members.

The Conference of Champions has been involved in some of college football’s most historic moments, including its most storied bowl game. Fans and media are discussing the future outlook of the “Grandaddy of them all” online.

The Rose Bowl has been a football staple since 1902, having been played annually since 1916. The “East-West” matchup typically pits Big Ten and PAC 12 opponents against one another each year in Pasadena.

Now, though, the PAC 12 has begun to crumble. A number of notable programs have opted to leave the conference as they announce intentions to join new leagues in 2024.

USC and UCLA paved the way, hopping to the Big Ten next year. Colorado followed suit this offseason with an announcement to join the Big XII, sparking a domino effect.

Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah will follow the Buffaloes to the Big XII. Oregon and Washington meanwhile will team back up with the Trojans and Bruins in the B1G.

Now, just four teams remain as the PAC 12 picks up the pieces.

That uncertainty has led to questions surrounding the future of the Rose Bowl. Brett McMurphy filled fans in on that future this week. It looks like the game will no longer have tie-ins as college football moves into the expanded playoff.

This isn’t necessarily a new development as it had been previously that the Rose Bowl would change its setup in the new playoff structure. No longer will it be restricted to the Big Ten-PAC 12 tie-in.

Instead, it will be a feature matchup within the CFP field. This came after the college football powers extended an ultimatum for the bowl game to join.

Fans have been quick to respond.

The Rose Bowl tradition is gone, but it will still remain one of the most important games of the year.

“I'm from West Virginia, and I've wanted to go here forever,” she said. “I just always kind of thought I was gonna go here, but now I might have to transfer.”

Suggested program cuts leave students lost

Has anyone placed anything they really like in terms of O/U win totals for this year? With the exception of WVU last year, I did pretty well betting overs. I am torn on Texas Tech this year. Over 7.5 is +110, which is strange because it seems like every publication lists them as a potential dark horse team and they return like 18 starters or something crazy. I missed the window on Iowa State it looks like, I was going to bet the U6.5 a couple of weeks ago but that was dropped to 5. Any jumping out at you all this year?

Forgoes final year. Surprising as the pay is really bad in the frontier league.

18 more days.
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What, not the team you were expecting? 😅

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