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Thoughts on UA Rename


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A waste for NEOMed???

Do you have any idea what that institution is accomplishing for its size?

For its size? Are you kidding me? It is very average in terms of medical school enrollment. The only reason size appears as an issue is because it is not part of a larger institution.

What exactly is it accomplishing? Unnecessary expenses for services such as library subscriptions, academic record keeping, and janitorial contracts that are redundant with all larger universities? One of the lowest amount of federal research dollars of any medical school in the country? An isolating physical campus location that limits its collaborative opportunities with hospitals and research universities? A clinical footprint that is spread all over NEO requiring already indebted students to drive all over that quarter of the state? You mean those 'accomplishments?'

The only thing that really goes on at the Rootstown campus is some relatively little research and the first two years of basic science classes. The latter doesn't even require a physical location anymore because basic science courses at nearly all medical schools are available via podcast. I think there should be a national model for the first two years of medical school because they are nearly the same at all schools and there is tremendous redundancy in each school producing its own materials. This is part of the reason medical education is so unrealistically expensive (around $40k/year/student and that is only tuition and fees, not living expenses)..

NeoMed is a missed opportunity for the state and region. It is an unfortunate arrangement for patients and students and an economic and political boondoggle.

There is an issue of the UA magazine for alumni and friends from 10+ years ago that features a quote from former President Auburn who described his biggest disappointment as not getting the medical school for the City of Akron. It amazes me how few people realize the significance of that decision by the State.

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Quite a timely piece based on my comments from yesterday:

http://www.ohio.com/news/local/university-of-akron-boosts-r-d-spending-1.572753

In summary, OSU, UC, and Case have hundreds of millions of dollars of research expenditures, the most of which are associated with their medical schools and academic hospitals.

UA, UT, and CSU have around $70 million worth of research expenditures and a lot of CSU's increase is attributable to medical research performed in conjunction with the Cleveland Clinic.

NeoMed has $12 million of research expenditures; if NeoMed were in the city and better aligned with UA and the city hospitals, the figure could easily be a factor of ten higher. This is significant because federal research dollars create jobs and the funding does not diminished during a recession.

NeoMed is simply not a good return on investment for the State.The NeoMed President was not objective before going ahead with his capital improvement/expansion adventure.

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Dave.....I can't believe you've used your association with ZipsNation to catapult yourself to stardom. Congratulations. :thumb:

Seriously though, I really think that some of the recent discussions about using our avid group of fans to influence more and more support for Zips Athletics has potential. I hope we continue to discuss these sorts of things. I think this article could be just the beginning of "getting noticed" as a formidable force outside of our own relatively small circle.

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'A new name would "reflect its unique strengths in polytechnical and professional fields, along with career-focused applied learning," Scarborough said in his emailed statement. "This is only one of the many ideas that is being evaluated as part of ongoing strategic planning." '

Akron Tech?

Ohio Tech?

I imagine it would be difficult to accurately capture the polytechnical and professional aspects of the University in a succinct title. The two I listed above may be the best but I feel they don't do justice to law, nursing, or the arts, which are all prominent on campus. Consider that Georgia Tech does not offer law, or nursing, and their arts cater to technology (e.g. history of technology, etc.).

UA implies a major state research university in Akron. Precisely the same as institutions in Houston, Memphis, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Dayton, Chicago, and Toledo. That is some really good company. Let's stick with UA.

However, I do like how the UA's schools, colleges, and departments have been reorganized. A school of medicine would complement the others nicely.

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No. Just no. Instead, focus on making all classrooms 21st century compatible (reliable wi-fi, smart boards) and providing e-texts for all text books as well as a tablet rental/loaner program for all students. Learn from the Browns and don't follow their bad marketing decision and make "changes" that aren't really needed and/or aren't really even changes.

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We could take a cue from Ohio State and rename ourselves THE University of Akron.

And like the Browns make our helmets oranger errrrr bluer.

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I really struggle with who is more irritating...the people that blow a gasket when they hear someone say "Akron U," and feel compelled to scream "IT'S not Akron U it's THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON!! THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON!!"

Or the people that, when they hear someone say "Look at Zippy over there, he's taking pictures with some kids" freak out like their hair's on fire and scream "ZIPPY'S A SHE...ITS NOT A HE IT'S A SHE!! A SHE!!"

Both are bad...but I can't figure out which is worse.

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I really struggle with who is more irritating...the people that blow a gasket when they hear someone say "Akron U," and feel compelled to scream "IT'S not Akron U it's THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON!! THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON!!"

Or the people that, when they hear someone say "Look at Zippy over there, he's taking pictures with some kids" freak out like their hair's on fire and scream "ZIPPY'S A SHE...ITS NOT A HE IT'S A SHE!! A SHE!!"

Both are bad...but I can't figure out which is worse.

Is anyone doing either of those in this thread?

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No. Just no. Instead, focus on making all classrooms 21st century compatible (reliable wi-fi, smart boards) and providing e-texts for all text books as well as a tablet rental/loaner program for all students. Learn from the Browns and don't follow their bad marketing decision and make "changes" that aren't really needed and/or aren't really even changes.

while I agree with your overall point, I think that UA does a pretty solid job with your points above. At least in the newer colleges like the CBA. Something like Zook may be another story. I only had one class in there and hardly went.

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Both are bad...but I can't figure out which is worse.

I used to be in a similar quandary about football uniforms vs basketball officiating. Now that there is a thread for both, it is apparent to me.

Have you ever been employed at a company where a new employee changes A to B? That employee moves on, and another employee is hired. This new employee changes B back to A. Both feel like they are earning their salary, but in fact, they really aren't doing a thing. The suggestion of a name change reminds me of this setting. I feel like GP1 would have nipped this thing in the bud a long time ago.

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  • 4 weeks later...

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