I continue to be very impressed with President Barron. These facts should make all Seminoles very proud. He has exceeded my expectations in several areas:
1. Barron is clearly the dean of higher education in Florida. He has replaced President Machen in even-ground, high-pressure presentations and is even exceedingly good speaking extemporaneously on complex matters.
2. Barron has significantly neutralized UF's self-aggandizing efforts at the legislative level. FSU's Barron basically makes UF's Machen look provincial, which at that level of operation is a significant accomplishment. What makes this even sweeter is that Barron doesn't even try to do it. He's just that good in these forums. Bravo!
3. Barron is winning on the facts in the legislature. He's in command of the material and clearly has a plan. His plan benefits FSU - and more importantly - benefits all of Florida. His efforts don't look one-sided, which is a flaw Machen exhibits often.
Great job, President Barron!
Posted on 3/1 7:48 AM | IP: Logged
Do you think the senate/house and then Gov Scott will pass that new bill that lets FSU and UF charge higher tuition?
Go FSU Frank
Posted on 3/1 2:08 PM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by FSUFrank: Do you think the senate/house and then Gov Scott will pass that new bill that lets FSU and UF charge higher tuition?
Go FSU Frank
I certainly hope so. The bills were crafted by the Higher Education committees in the House and Senate so leadership in those chambers must be in favor of them. I would be very surprised if they don't pass the House and Senate.
The wild card is Gov. Scott. He has said that he does not favor tuition increases but this bill does not have the legislature or the governor raise tuition. It allows those universities that qualify to request tuition increases from their Boards of Trustees and the Board of Governors. I have no idea what he will do.
This is a perfect opportunity for everyone to contact their legislators and Gov. Scott to let them know how great this would be for the entire university system in Florida, not just FSU.
To President Barron's credit, this proposal was in his response to Gov. Scott's desire to be better than the Texas system. Maybe mention that in your emails/calls, and be nice. :)
Posted on 3/1 8:49 PM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by epiphany10: To President Barron's credit, this proposal was in his response to Gov. Scott's desire to be better than the Texas system. Maybe mention that in your emails/calls, and be nice. :)
Once again, this revelation by epiphany affirms my satisfaction with Dr. Barron's performance. Just great!
Great advice, Epiphany.
Posted on 3/2 10:01 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Mac_Nole:
Originally posted by epiphany10: To President Barron's credit, this proposal was in his response to Gov. Scott's desire to be better than the Texas system. Maybe mention that in your emails/calls, and be nice. :)
Once again, this revelation by epiphany affirms my satisfaction with Dr. Barron's performance. Just great!
Great advice, Epiphany.
Thanks Mac! I am very impressed with Barron as well and think all three of your points are well founded. I can't wait to see what the fully developed and launched $1 billion campaign looks like.
Speaking of the campaign, I keep seeing "Powering a Great University to New Academic Heights" in dean's reports and the like. I wonder if this is a tagline they are testing.
Posted on 3/2 3:54 PM | IP: Logged
My sister (B.A. M.A., FSU) and I attended an alumni event here in Jacksonville last year at which Dr. Barron and his wife were guests. He spoke about alumni giving, of course, along with updates about good things happening at FSU, among other University related news.
He took questions from the group, and his answers on the stump were both informed and well framed. My sister and I are very pleased that he's our President, coming as we both did from Dr. Marshall's era.
Posted on 3/3 11:23 AM | IP: Logged
"...and it's related issues of the COE and COM"
I'm under the impression that FSU has basically given up on ever having a pre-eminent COM or COE. The goal appears to have a limited/non-traditional school for med...and a sub-par/politically-correct school for engineering. And so long as this is the case...FSU should just set aside the AAU/pre-eminent university talk. That being said...I really am impressed with Barron and FSU is very lucky to have a guy of his caliber. He certainly has his hands full.
This post was edited on 3/4 12:34 AM by PoseidoNole
Posted on 3/4 12:33 AM | IP: Logged
"FSU's Barron basically makes UF's Machen look provincial"
Hopefully this will payoff for FSU. From what I've seen from Barron and Machen (on webcasts and "in person" at large events)...Machen absolutely comes across this way (the spoiled brat pleading to his parents as to why he deserves more than the other kids). Barron, on the other hand, makes his case...and yet still comes across as being a team-player. I'm really hoping to see him make a major positive mark on FSU...and make up some of the significant lost ground from the "lost decade".
Posted on 3/4 12:40 AM | IP: Logged
Can you provide specific details in how he has accomplished that? Just wanting to know the facts behind those generalities for my own benefit.
Posted on 3/1 8:37 AM | IP: Logged
I've been watching the presentations before the legislature, as shown by online video.
Barron, in multiple instances, just does a better job. He's more deft with facts, his verbal delivery is clearer, he has skillfully worked with sensitive issues and so on.
This post was edited on 3/1 11:39 AM by Mac_Nole
Posted on 3/1 9:41 AM | IP: Logged
Originally posted by Mac_Nole: I've been watching the presentations before the legislature, as shown by online video. Barron, in multiple instances, just does a better job. He's more deft with facts, his verbal delivery is clearer, he has skillfully worked with sensitive issues and so on.
This post was edited on 3/1 11:39 AM by Mac_Nole
I agree with the characterization of Barron's style. The botton line is that he is really smart and really articulate. In his presentations to the Florida legislature, he addresses concerns and explains the real tangible benefits of legislation.
It's not -- "We want more money so that we can be ranked in the top ten public schools by U.S. News."
Posted on 3/1 2:27 PM | IP: Logged
Exactly, NoleOne. Barron doesn't stoop to that level, which engenders (IMO) provincialism.
Posted on 3/1 7:34 PM | IP: Logged
Agree that he is doing a very good job, and is far ahead of TK in most every respect.
Waiting for him to move the needle on STEM growth, and it's related issues of the COE and COM.
Posted on 3/1 12:31 PM | IP: Logged
I agree. When articulating an academic point, he is light years ahead of all the presidents since Marshall. IMO, his ability to work a crowd is probably not his strong suit. Some type of Barron/d'Alemberte combo would probably be ideal. Still, I find Barron's academic prowess to be a breath of fresh air for FSU.
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