Balsy

I couldn't disagree with you more. There is a substantial difference in the two fields especially degrees in them. Yes the introductory, 100-level classes are nearly identical, because you deal mostly with the basics of those contents. Earth science is more of a physics based discipline, and primarily looks at the natural process of the planet. Environmental science looks at earth as a system, so you'd call it a system science. Earth Science is more broad. For example: Earth science would be dealing more with mineral formation/location, while Environmental science would focus on specific interactions of minerals in the environment/system. Might seem like minute differences, but it's not something that you just elminate and combine together. They're different disciplines, for different career paths/research paths. And really cutting one, isn't going to "save money". Instead you'd be limiting your opportunities for diversification within your research, which is asinine.

Old news spin I already posted that!

You don't cut off your left arm to make your right arm stronger. But that's not the point I was making at all. I was saying that he and his administration have shown a disregard for the UA community, regardless of the "repositioning" of the university, he has made zero effort to be engaged with students, faculty and staff. That is NOT a leader, certainly not a university leader. No you don't need to eat in the employee cafeteria, or even the student one. But when your students invite you to their meetings when you first become president, you should make every effort to attend as many as possible. Even if you don't give a rats-ass about some of them...those are your students; the reason you are there. This is the biggest thing UA has always suffered from my observations; there is a disconnect from those running UA and the students. You're in the student business, you should probably be heavily engaged with them. Period. Those three universities, labeled "safe branding", have a relationship with their student body that is about 100x better than UA's. Because they treat their students like they matter. They treat their alumni like they matter. They engage their students and their alumni as if they matter. THAT's being a leader.

I don't agree that due diligence has been done. Due dilligence would be conducting this discussion in an open and transparent manner. Due dilligence would be emercing yourself into the Culture of your new unversity (which he has not done) meeting with students (of all groups, walks and diciplines). Due dilligence would include getting to know your university's history, it's ups...it's downs...as well as the possible future options available. Dr. Scarborough has done his due dilligence? More like cherry-picked the bits he needed to fulfill his goal. Dr. Scarborough was invited (before ANY of this stuff was taking place) to visit the various meetings of student groups on campus. Proenza did it. Muse, Zook, Reubel did it. Scarborough did not attend a single one he was invited to. From graduate students, to volunteer community outreach groups. I have that on good multiple sources.

ABJ Article on the Rally.

How about complaining to Facebook to have a peaceful protest, organized by students and alumni of YOUR UNIVERSITY event deleted? The complete disregard for students, faculty, alumni is sickening. We don't matter. Now, I'm going to stop typing before I type something I might regret later. (not at you Keener, that's directed at this BS).

I'm still a protester, though I also realize the reality of our institution's true circumstance. I do fear that a further converstion to OPU is still on the table. In all reality, I don't think a whole lot of radical changes are coming...for now. I do question how adding OPU to the name makes us more competitive. I understand that shifting philosophies is one thing to attract potential investors...but are investors really THAT bent on a name? Or a specific word within a name? Until I see the research behind that, call me a sceptic. I agree with you ZipsRulz, hopefully it does not compromise any basic research. I would be even more inclined to walk way from UA if that were to happen.

From the protesters who met with Dr. Scarborough:

Good find, but after reading that I want to

Exactly my point. Akron will make one this year, mark my words. The question is: is it really worth it? The Fan in me says of course it is! The student who graduated with a degree in science, says no it's not.

Again, making a profit off of something they had no stake in. It's a cycle. If you don't accept the bid, it puts you at a competitive disadvantage. If you're at a competitive disadvantage, you might be risking the bloated amount you've already invested in your athletics. So, naturally, you have to invest more to maintain what you've already invested. Students (what a university exists for) are working out of lab last renovated in the 70's...while a football team takes a trip to the bahamas. Stupid. I find that very concerning. As an insitution of higher ed, education should always be the first priority. And I'd like to see a cost benefit analysis on the impacts of a bowl game on a University, I don't buy that the impact is all that much. Now, I'm playing the devil's advocate here, I love the Zips, I want (as a fan) to be a bowl game. But we've got to have an objective conversation about this. The cost of College athletics is absolutely out of control, and this is an example of it.

This kinda boggles my mind, and answers the question as to why there are so many bowl games. I mean the bowl provides the hotel but not the cost of travel? IMO that's an absolute joke. Another example of people making money off a system in which they don't contribute. I like football, but I like science more. You can equip a lab with brand new equipment for less than $600,000... Stupid waste of money. Western Nearly spent $1,000,000. I was always under the impression that schools were compensated for attending Bowl games. Ridiculous.

Zips did that ONCE...with the Pink Jerseys. I thought they'd do it with the Purple ones too...but it never materialized.

They're the same thing from what I understand. It's from the french Education model of Polytechnique universities.

How about 3-month olds?

VAZip hit it on the nose. But we should get some good quotes from Mr. Scarborough in the next couple of days. He has asked the protest organizers to meet with him to discuss any concerns that they have about the future of UA, and to answer any questions that protesters have for him. Actually pretty classy move IMO. Protest organizers have asked their fellow protesters to submit questions to ask Dr. Scarborough. I've been told by the organizers that two of my questions are on the list: 1. It's been said that the current changes being considered at UA will not include a name change, does that mean for changes now or all future changes and plans from you administration? (some sort of wording of this question) 2. What data, analysis or study is available to support the contention that polytechnique institutions, or institutions that have changed their names, become more competitive...or that will make The University of Akron more competitive.

I've been told by a very reliable source that a name change is all but a done deal as far as administration is involved, and that a change would likely start small...but the powers at be want a complete overhaul at some point down the road.

I'm pretty sure people are upset about both. Just go read the #NoNameChangeAkron page on facebook...or the petition that now has around 10,500 people on it: I think it's pretty clear that most in opposition to it know it's more than just the name "The University of Akron".

Agreed, I'm still sending my letters out that I've already written...and I'm still going to the protest. I'll believe it when I see it. Note: The first damage control message issued by UA on Friday, said that protesters and petitioners were too focused on the name change, and not at all on all the other things being considered. Which is a bit of a missinformation campaign on their part because no...those who started the petition and have organized the protest express interest in both.

Well said LibraryMark +1.

+1 Spin. Universities are supposed to build, foster and grow identities, not destroy them. The difference between all those "successful polytech" schools and us...is they were established that way, with a focus on the technicals from the getgo. UA is not that, cannot be that, will fail to be that. I'll sever every connection with the university I mean the Polytechnique if it's as shortsided and stupid as this.

No. It goes beyond that. The fact that someone who graduated from The University of Akron would even consider making this arguement troubles me. That's because it's such a BS arguement (no offense). VA Tech changed it's name in 1944. MIT was established as such in 1865. Georgia Tech was established in 1885. Renasslaer was established in 1824 "Polytechnic" is nothing new. It was developed by the french in the 1700's as a style of college institutions.

Here's info for the protest, organized by current students and recent grads. Sidenote: I was a supporter of Dr. Scarborough for being hired...I'm begining to see the error of my ways.

Anyone interested, current students and alumni are planning to hold a protest during the meeting on Friday. I'm rounding up my alumni friends, we're bringing our diplomas. Someone has also suggested that we sing the alma mater. If anyone here can make it, and gives a damn about our sense of UA community, now's the time.