a-zip

Understood. I just don't think having a person in the interim/temporary position is a good idea right now....not for 3 years at least . My HOPE is they have someone targeted already.

How can you call the football team unimportant? The fact that so much has been invested in it and it is being led by TWO former BCS coaches - Bowden and Amato makes it VERY important. We've had to endure the holocaust and are on the up!!! The soccer program is consistently in the top 20, perennial MAC conference champion, plays an amazing schedule, beats Big 10 opponents and produces MLS draft picks every year (not to mention USA men's national players). Keep in mind it is very difficult to maintain a national championship team when your underclassmen are getting drafted or picked up by homegrown contracts. My boys and I have put together what some of our previous soccer teams would have looked like if the players had stayed all 4 years. Holy s*!t would they have been good. The basketball team is as exciting as ever with some great young talent. Coach has 9 seasons in a row with 20 wins. We've had some bad luck with injuries, suspensions, arrests just like the Cavs are experiencing. Bottom line, we are in great hands with KD. Somebody has got to figure out a way to appeal to Lebron. Seriously, he has got the coin to build King James Arena. Most subsidized athletic departments. Not sure I am seeing that….I would like to say we are not even in the top 100, but we are #100.Sort by % subsidy http://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances BTW - our women's basketball is on the rise, our track team is doing great…. Sorry Morris, but if we do not get a top replacement as AD….that would be a disaster. How could we put an interim AD in the middle of this?!?! We are at a critical time with our athletic department. I would have to say that is why this change has been made. I am praying for a dynamic replacement (even if they are only here for a couple of years).

I am going to change my name to George Costanza https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofOSlsNz5I8 Gotta stop replying with iPhone

BS

Jesus christ dude

I guess those people didn't watch our national championship soccer run ;-)

Seriously with a 97% acceptance rate, we are still essentially an open enrollment school and our enrollment is going down…..not good. In reading through the last couple days of information here it is absolutely clear that re-branding and restructuring of our programs has to happen. I liked Proenza but I am seriously questioning his administration.

If we are no longer an open enrollment school, wouldn't that be a reason for a decrease in enrollment?

Niche says we are not open admissions but says the acceptance rate is 97%!! https://colleges.niche.com/university-of-akron/statistics/

Looking up our open admissions policy….this is all I can find http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/03/university_of_akron_to_steer_s.html http://www.collegecalc.org/colleges/ohio/open-admissions/

zip-O……you just brought up something I have never completely understood………open admissions. How many other schools in Ohio have this? Why do we have this (I assume it is mandated by the state?). Is it a good thing? If we continue with open admissions, how could we ever be viewed as a "competitive" "selective" school. I have to assume this kills our freshman class profile, graduations rates, etc.

He is a great representative of UA. Impressive and fun journey he is on.

Lots of good comments and information……Thanks everyone, I have enjoyed reading.

Well, the Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to bring NEO their first championship in…..I don't know….forever? Lead by Akron's own Lebron James….Anybody excited or have anything good to say? The University of Akron put out a post with Lebron giving Zippy a bump….nice move (cost effective).

RED DID THAT WITHOUT INVOLVING EVERYONE!!!! BLASPHEMY!! LOL

AKRON Football - WE ARE IN THE TOP 10…..#1 IN OHIO!!!! http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2015/6/1/8678633/CHIPOTLE-RANKINGS

I don't think because there have been marketing strategies that have failed is a reason to do nothing. There have also been marketing strategies that have been wildly successful. I would also like to say that what UA is doing is much more than a marketing strategy. It is a fundamental change in delivering higher education and change to adapt to the financial concerns all schools are facing. Hopefully soon, we will hear more about the strategy and the reasons for it.

So you think students, faculty and alumni should make strategic decisions on the direction of the University?

Skip - I agree, you all are the majority right now. Trust me, when I first heard the news (as I sipped from my A-Roo mug ;-) my first reaction was…WTF!!! All I am saying is that I think people should reserve judgement until all the facts and research have been presented…..and I do understand the emotional reaction to the announcement. Unfortunately, I don't think this has initially been presented to the public in an ideal fashion (a leak that had to be addressed). I am not even saying I agree with anything at this point, I am just saying that based on the research I have done the vision makes sense to me. When the strategy and plan are rolled out, I may say….that's really stupid ;-) Others might hear it and say….that makes a lot of sense. I just don't think we know enough at this point. I think we can all agree that enrollment has gone down, the academic prestige is not where we would like it to be and the support for our sports teams are not the greatest.

1- Yes all schools should be spending 365 doing this. UA has done that and made a decision - created a vision, started a path. It was initially criticized was it not by Can't and the other NEO schools? They appear to be scrambling. My point is, if they thought we were making a bad move, why would they now be spending money on consultants to differentiate themselves. Damn, can't somebody acknowledge that our administration is forward thinking? Maybe smart? Seems like everything on here is negative. 2- Definition of success? Again, I think when the strategy is set, the plan is put in place….the administration will likely outline the expected impacts. I am quite sure they have goals in mind, I don't know what they are. If schools start folding up shop and we survive, I would say it was a success. If enrollment increases, maybe another success. Higher graduations rates, success. If the prestige of the school increases, success. Ticket sales and school spirit increase, national recognition …success. Profitability increases because of efficiencies, success. You are right…..there are a lot of questions. Who knows.

If it is successful, I would have to think people will accept it. We won't know until we try. I would have to think Can't state following suit AFTER us would lend some credibility to the moves we are making. Their president (after being critical of us) basically started saying the same things as Dr. S did about distinguishing themselves and becoming a "great" university. One of the reasons I get so frustrated with the leaking of information and the posting of miss-information is because I know how divisive it can be. So many people believe anything they read (whether it is on ZN.o or the ABJ) without investigating or researching (presidents get elected this way ;-) I firmly believe that UA's administration did not want all of this out yet for many reasons. This would have gone much better if they had a chance to finalize the strategy/rollout and been able to calmly present to everyone. For me, I have read a lot about where education is heading. My son, while in his senior year of H.S., is going to be taking college courses and receiving dual credits. Why would we do this? 1- the "basic" college courses he will take are being offered at a fraction of the cost. 2- it gives him a chance to acclimate to college courses in his home, where I can possibly help. 3- he will likely finish half if not all of what would be his first years college courses. 4 - It looks great on his college application 5 - while taking these courses he may say....wow, this major is not for me and change 6 - statistics show that students taking college courses while in HS are more likely to graduate and more likely to get a graduate degree. To me, this is a no brainer. With the economy being the way it is, I have to think this approach makes sense for a lot of people right now. To be clear, for us, I am only talking about doing this for basic courses, not core courses. http://classroom.synonym.com/advantages-taking-college-courses-during-high-school-1241.html http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/advantages-taking-college-courses-during-high-school-4897.html http://study.com/articles/Should_High_School_Students_Take_College_Classes.html My opinion, from the UA standpoint, is if they ignore this trend going on, they will lose $$ and possibly students (in my opinion). My opinion is that it would make sense for UA to focus time, energy and money in taking our strongest programs and making them even better. UA and many many other schools have had their budgets cut and we don't bring in millions of dollars from sports revenue. My opinion is the schools that rake in $$$ from sports or have huge endowments are the only ones that will be able to offer the wide range of college degrees. At this point, I don't know what UA's entire plan is. All I am saying is the vision makes sense to me and I am happy to see us take the lead in NEO.

How do you load your own pictures? Still can't seem to do it.

I am not sensitive I am not being sensitive. I guess I should have asked what is your point for asking this….to prove I said I didn't like the A-Roo? Honestly, I don't see where any of this is heading at this point so I am going to bow out.