392 replies to this topic

[Florida]

poonther, on Feb 8 2006, 09:34 AM, said:

Great summary TJ!  Thanks for doing that for us.  

I have a built in bias against the T.K. as you well know so I don't know if I'm reading more into this than is there.  In your report you quote T.K. several times and every time you do, well the man just sounds arrogant, cocky and sometimes flippant. Is that what you felt too?  What about others in the classroom?  How did they react to him?  I'm sure some of them were just "star struck."  Anyway, the man made some very good points and I feel all of them are valid and hold merit.  However my question is and has always been, is he the type of leader that can truly accomplish these goals?  I know he would be in a vacuum, but in the real world of working together, is he the right man for the job?

Also did he cite an example or two of how FSU is being taken for granted? While I agree w/many things, I'm not sure I agree that FSU is being taken for granted.  I would have loved some examples here.

All in all T.K. is quick to point the finger of blame at others (as always) but is he dedicated to this mission enough to be a partner? To compromise on a few points?  Or does he just wanna be The King?

Again great job!

Thanks Poonther. I think I felt the same arrogance, flippance that you percieve. I was surprised that he would say some of the things he said in front of the class, but it made for good note taking. He continues to pursue this "city within a city" business. I'm not sure I'm all to crazy about that view, it sounds devisive, as if he doesn't want FSU associated with Tallahassee.

He cited Naples and Indian River county as examples of communities welcoming FSU to promote economic development in their communities. He says the University annoucned plans for a remote medical school/clinic in those locations and all sorts of people began to throw money at the University. He says in Tallahassee, FSU is expected to Pay-Pay and Pay. I just wrote it down... I don't buy it. He knows good and well that this community gives to that University in more ways than I have fingers. I'm starting to feel it is FSU that takes this community for granted. No matter how we look at it, the simple thought that this is even a debate shows how big a problem this for us if we're ever going to learn to work together.

I don't remember much from our previous president, but was the previous president this controversial?

[DaiDreamer5]

TaureanJ, on Feb 8 2006, 12:31 PM, said:

Thanks Poonther. I think I felt the same arrogance, flippance that you percieve. I was surprised that he would say some of the things he said in front of the class, but it made for good note taking. He continues to pursue this "city within a city" business. I'm not sure I'm all to crazy about that view, it sounds devisive, as if he doesn't want FSU associated with Tallahassee.

He cited Naples and Indian River county as examples of communities welcoming FSU to promote economic development in their communities. He says the University annoucned plans for a remote medical school/clinic in those locations and all sorts of people began to throw money at the University. He says in Tallahassee, FSU is expected to Pay-Pay and Pay. I just wrote it down... I don't buy it. He knows good and well that this community gives to that University in more ways than I have fingers. I'm starting to feel it is FSU that takes this community for granted. No matter how we look at it, the simple thought that this is even a debate shows how big a problem this for us if we're ever going to learn to work together.

I don't remember much from our previous president, but was the previous president this controversial?

Well the previous president was involved in the tent city thing, when I was a freshman...

[EbonyGardens]

Somebody please change T.K. Wetherell's diaper and give him his bottle. I don't see how he doesn't want FSU associated with Tallahassee, as if he has a choice

[Florida]

DaiDreamer5, on Feb 8 2006, 03:45 PM, said:

Well the previous president was involved in the tent city thing, when I was a freshman...

Was this tent city thing a protest on sweat shop labor? I lightly remember this.

[DaiDreamer5]

TaureanJ, on Feb 8 2006, 07:17 PM, said:

Was this tent city thing a protest on sweat shop labor? I lightly remember this.

Yes.  They were out there for about a semster and an half before they changed some rules about putting up tents on campus (have to have a permit).

[Florida]

DaiDreamer5, on Feb 8 2006, 09:23 PM, said:

Yes.  They were out there for about a semster and an half before they changed some rules about putting up tents on campus (have to have a permit).

Ok... I rememeber this! Did he have any ongoing battles with the governments?

[DaiDreamer5]

TaureanJ, on Feb 8 2006, 10:48 PM, said:

Ok... I rememeber this! Did he have any ongoing battles with the governments?

I never really paid attention.    I was too busy at the time dealing with pothead roommates, working and paying bills, and a heavy schedule.  

I was also new to the area and doing the typical "OMG!!! Tallahassee is the Suxxor!" thing that most students do.  

[Florida]

Suxxor, thats a new one!! I never understand those students who do that. Don't they do their homework before they choose their college?!

Sandy was the one who had the idea of FSU building its own research park right? Do you think things would have turned out differently if he could have stuck around to see his vision thru?

[poonther]

I moved to Tally during Sandy's tenture as prez.  I thought all in all he was a good prez and much less controversial than T.K.  His style was not to bully but to compromise.  He brought Tally and FSU Seven Days and Seven Nights.  It was his idea to build all new buildings in the Gothic style (I think that's what it is) of Wescott and that part of campus.  He's the reason why the med. school looks like it does.  He was a local raised in Tally and Chattahoochee, but had lived many years in Miami and understood the whole town/gown give and take situation.  T.K. only understands the take IMO.  Sandy was at one time the prez. of the American Bar Association and he seemed much more of a scholar and a gentleman than the current cocky bully, I mean prez.

[stjoe]

Sandy was a great president...I agree.


"Sandy was the one who had the idea of FSU building its own research park right? Do you think things would have turned out differently if he could have stuck around to see his vision thru?"


Sandy insisted FSU run the research park...the COT disagreed.  They felt FAMU, TCC, and the COT should all have equal say in the research park.  The COT indicated they would not turn over the land they own at the park (or "University Park") if FSU ran it.  FSU believed that if you have 3 or 4 Chiefs, then you have NO chief.  The same reason why Innovation Park is not successful.  

So why Sandy was good with compromise, sharing leadership was not something he was willing to give in on.  That killed University Park.  TK came in and just thought it was too expensive....which is short sighted on his part.

[Florida]

I think FSU should give the research park idea another shot. I really think the area is ready for it.

[stjoe]

TaureanJ, on Feb 9 2006, 06:24 PM, said:

I think FSU should give the research park idea another shot. I really think the area is ready for it.

TK doesn't have the vision to push this.  Sandy did but the COT, County, etc wouldn't give FSU the land for it (the area near Innovation Park has land owned by the COT, the County, and the state).  So that ship has sailed.

[poonther]

Sad but I think you are right stjoe .  Wasn't some of the land to be used for this research park now been allocated for the new proposed intramural fields for FSU?

[Florida]

I'm just curious... I can't possibly see any better use for the land surrounding Innovation Park, than to move forward with the plans for this research park. Heck... why not beef up ol' Innovation park a little more and make it into more of a research park.

How much land do we need for this?

[stjoe]

poonther,
FSU spent about $150K for a study on "University Park".  The study stated FSU should be the Chief (so to speak) and the rest should be partners.  FSU needed the land of the COT and County, but they wouldn't do it if FSU was in majority control.  FSU walked away.

FSU doesn't have much land so it is now using what land it has over there for IM fields and a swimming facility.

Lost opportunity.


Taurean,
Innovation Park is considered a failure in higher ed research circles.  That is why FSU won't just 'beef it up'.  Basically throwing good money after bad.

[Florida]

stjoe, on Feb 10 2006, 12:28 PM, said:

poonther,
FSU spent about $150K for a study on "University Park".  The study stated FSU should be the Chief (so to speak) and the rest should be partners.  FSU needed the land of the COT and County, but they wouldn't do it if FSU was in majority control.  FSU walked away.

FSU doesn't have much land so it is now using what land it has over there for IM fields and a swimming facility.

Lost opportunity.
Taurean,
Innovation Park is considered a failure in higher ed research circles.  That is why FSU won't just 'beef it up'.  Basically throwing good money after bad.

What about it makes it a failure? I mean, to some great degree I agree with you in that its not living up to its potential. BUT this kinda reminds me of the voucher thing... "why take money from a failing school and allow its kids to go somewhere else?" Let me know if that's a bad analogy, but I've driven thru Innovation park and I see tremendous potential there. Why not dress it up?

[DaiDreamer5]

TaureanJ, on Feb 9 2006, 11:33 AM, said:

Suxxor, thats a new one!! I never understand those students who do that. Don't they do their homework before they choose their college?!

Sandy was the one who had the idea of FSU building its own research park right? Do you think things would have turned out differently if he could have stuck around to see his vision thru?

Blah, I didn't think that Tallahassee would be all drinking and football when I applied to FSU.  That's how I thought of it as a freshman.  I know better now.

[Florida]

DaiDreamer5, on Feb 10 2006, 12:34 PM, said:

Blah, I didn't think that Tallahassee would be all drinking and football when I applied to FSU.  That's how I thought of it as a freshman.  I know better now.

I know many who would agree with you... I blame that darn Tennessee Street and Potbelly's!

[stjoe]

TaureanJ, on Feb 10 2006, 12:32 PM, said:

What about it makes it a failure? I mean, to some great degree I agree with you in that its not living up to its potential. BUT this kinda reminds me of the voucher thing... "why take money from a failing school and allow its kids to go somewhere else?" Let me know if that's a bad analogy, but I've driven thru Innovation park and I see tremendous potential there. Why not dress it up?

school vouchers and research parks are apples and oranges.

Yes, Innovation Park is the best research park in Leon County.  But when it comes to battling the big boys...it is little league.  Is is a failure in regards to what FSU wants (or at least did under Sandy).  FSU waste any more money on Innovation Park when it doesn't CONTROL Innovation Park.  

Doesn't matter anyway...there will be no major research park in Tally.  It is a shame, we need one.

[Florida]

You're right... we do need one. I don't understand why FSU can't lead the park in partnership with the other intities. It really doesn't make the University look much like a team player, when you consider they would be using the resources of others to build this thing.

BTW... the vouchers thing was an analogy.