Gov Daniels to become Purdue University President?

[HoosierHelen]

Inasmuch as I am NOT a Mitch Daniels fan, I am NOT excited about the following development:

Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) is a candidate to be the next president of Purdue University, WISH-TV reported Tuesday.

The school's board of trustees is set to vote Thursday morning on their nominee to succeed current President France Cordova, who is retiring next month after five years in the position.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/0...p_ref=politics

[TheBigB]

8 out of the 10 trustees at Purdue were appointed by Daniels, for what it is worth.

Do you have some sort of connection with Purdue, Helen? I'm not sure why non-Purdue people would care either way.

As much as the political implications enter the picture, do not discount Mitch's past life at Eli Lilly as the prime mover here - I don't think you could find a single company that puts as much money into Purdue's bank account as Eli Lilly.

[HoosierHelen]

8 out of the 10 trustees at Purdue were appointed by Daniels, for what it is worth.

Do you have some sort of connection with Purdue, Helen? I'm not sure why non-Purdue people would care either way.

As much as the political implications enter the picture, do not discount Mitch's past life at Eli Lilly as the prime mover here - I don't think you could find a single company that puts as much money into Purdue's bank account as Eli Lilly.

I have no official connection with Purdue, BigB. My son graduated from there, I have friends who are long time Purdue Basketball fans. My friends find Daniels about as likeable as I do. They have said this year they will no longer put up their Purdue Flag and follow the games. They are switching to Notre Dame fans. Pretty certain our attitudes about Daniels will cause him no suffering.

The 8 out of 10 trustees being appointed by Daniels is interesting info. Sweet for him.....

[WatchDog]

Just remember that Mitch Daniels also helped Ivy Tech succeed and grow. They have been very tied to the economic climate that has helped keep Indiana one of the few states with a positive Balance Sheet.

[edeevee]

Just remember that Mitch Daniels also helped Ivy Tech succeed and grow. They have been very tied to the economic climate that has helped keep Indiana one of the few states with a positive Balance Sheet.

Ivy Tech may be how Daniels cut his teeth for the Purdue position. It's become a good ole boys playground for ex-officials and the well connected (see Matt Bell's $225,000 a year salary) and its growth can be directly tied to state programs (job training/retraining) that were handed to the institution, some without transparency in the bidding process, others without bidding at all.

I don't know how Daniels' move can be a surprise to anyone though. He has a history of making sure his current job helps well position him for his next one. And isn't this exactly what the Republican party praises? Picking yourself up by somebody's bootstraps and clawing your way through any means necessary to the top of the heap?

[BigDeel]

....And isn't this exactly what the Republican party praises? Picking yourself up by somebody's bootstraps and clawing your way through any means necessary to the top of the heap?

Versus grabbing others boot straps and hanging on for a free ride? That is the democratic party way.

Why is he not qualified for this position? Is it the R beside his name? Please post his failures that would make him a bad choice for this position.

[TheBigB]

Versus grabbing others boot straps and hanging on for a free ride? That is the democratic party way.

Why is he not qualified for this position? Is it the R beside his name? Please post his failures that would make him a bad choice for this position.

Doesn't matter what letter is besides his name - I think the opposition is more due to his not having any sort of experience at the university level (beyond being a student). All will be forgiven if he parlays that Eli Lilly experience into 8 digit donations, though.

To put it another way, I'd have absolutely no problem with Condoleezza Rice as Purdue President.

[edeevee]

Doesn't matter what letter is besides his name - I think the opposition is more due to his not having any sort of experience at the university level (beyond being a student). All will be forgiven if he parlays that Eli Lilly experience into 8 digit donations, though.

To put it another way, I'd have absolutely no problem with Condoleezza Rice as Purdue President.

My thoughts exactly.

[HomeyG]

The same people that don't think Daniels is experienced enough to be President of Purdue are probably the same people that voted for Obama who had absolutely no experience at being President.

[TheBigB]

The same people that don't think Daniels is experienced enough to be President of Purdue are probably the same people that voted for Obama who had absolutely no experience at being President.

Did you read my post, or is this more partisan diarrhea from Homey?

Seriously, I don't think there are a lot of people here familiar with a university beyond perhaps an undergraduate education, so perhaps I can make some sort of analogy that is more meaningful to them. Homey, without revealing too much about yourself, could you give me a rough idea of your field of work?

[edeevee]

The same people that don't think Daniels is experienced enough to be President of Purdue are probably the same people that voted for Obama who had absolutely no experience at being President.

In 2008 we had two choices for president. I picked the one I thought would do the best job. Purdue's board wasn't limited in such a way. They could have chosen anyone and I would have expected them to pick someone with high level experience in a university setting. That they didn't do that makes it look like Daniels bought his position through favors paid in advance. He's a smart man and capable (if shrewd in a skeevy kind of way). He may end up doing a great job. I hope he does.

[HomeyG]

Did you read my post, or is this more partisan diarrhea from Homey?

Seriously, I don't think there are a lot of people here familiar with a university beyond perhaps an undergraduate education, so perhaps I can make some sort of analogy that is more meaningful to them. Homey, without revealing too much about yourself, could you give me a rough idea of your field of work?

Didn't think I was throwing around the partisan diarrhea as I thought it was a legitimate statement. There are some that will comment about Daniel's lack of experience but still had no problem voting for Obama who obviously had little or no experience at being President.

Not quite sure why you need to know my field of work but I don't mind telling you. I had 24 years in the military working in the administrative field working at all levels of command. However, over the years I've been a business owner, worked in a factory, managed a bowling center, been a janitor, and even a union steward. As you can see I have a diverse work background but if you are looking for my educational background I admittedly have had little experience at a higher education level.

But, let's get back to Mitch Daniels. Looking at his background he has fulfilled many of the requirements they are looking for in a university president. My first inquiry on what board members are looking for in a university president led me to Missouri State's job description for their university president. If you will look at their job description you will find similarities between being a university president and a state governor. The glaring exceptions was he did not have leadership experience in higher education administration nor a record of excellence in teaching, research, and service activities at a university. However, if you look carefully these are only preferred and not required. http://www.missouristate.edu/preside...escription.htm

I guess I will have to reiteriate Big Deel's question: "Why is he not qualified for this position?"

[TheBigB]

Didn't think I was throwing around the partisan diarrhea as I thought it was a legitimate statement. There are some that will comment about Daniel's lack of experience but still had no problem voting for Obama who obviously had little or no experience at being President.

Your original statement did not say "some"; you pretty much painted anybody that had problems with Daniels in that position with the same broad brush. Are you backing off that statement, or are we going to play semantics games?

Missouri State is not Purdue. But with that said, I don't think he's unqualified. I just think his lack of experience at the university level (particularly in experience at a faculty level) could make it difficult for him to interact with his employees, and for a school with the stature of Purdue I think that it is enough to put him in the "not the *best* candidate" category.

I don't really care what your educational background is; I was asking that question because I thought maybe I'd be able to give you an understandable analogy as to why people might have a problem with this, partisanship aside. Let's take the military - what would you think of somebody being "appointed" as General that had no experience in the military before that (as a Lieutenant, Captain, etc.)?

[HomeyG]

Your original statement did not say "some"; you pretty much painted anybody that had problems with Daniels in that position with the same broad brush. Are you backing off that statement, or are we going to play semantics games?

Missouri State is not Purdue. But with that said, I don't think he's unqualified. I just think his lack of experience at the university level (particularly in experience at a faculty level) could make it difficult for him to interact with his employees, and for a school with the stature of Purdue I think that it is enough to put him in the "not the *best* candidate" category.

I don't really care what your educational background is; I was asking that question because I thought maybe I'd be able to give you an understandable analogy as to why people might have a problem with this, partisanship aside. Let's take the military - what would you think of somebody being "appointed" as General that had no experience in the military before that (as a Lieutenant, Captain, etc.)?

You are absolutely right in your first sentence. Normally, I try to use the word "some" for the very reason you mentioned. Your analogy about the military is a little off. It would be virtually impossible to make general without going through the ranks, its just the way the military is structured. However, I have seen in the military where pilots have been made Maintenance commanders yet they don't know the difference between an open end and a box end wrench. They are selected not on their ability to fix an airplane but rather their leadership ability and that's where I see the similarities with Daniels being selected as Purdue's new president. I'm reminded that when Obama was first elected I was told to give him a chance and I feel that Daniels should be afforded the same opportunity by those that are quick to criticize his selection.

[TheBigB]

You are absolutely right in your first sentence. Normally, I try to use the word "some" for the very reason you mentioned. Your analogy about the military is a little off. It would be virtually impossible to make general without going through the ranks, its just the way the military is structured. However, I have seen in the military where pilots have been made Maintenance commanders yet they don't know the difference between an open end and a box end wrench. They are selected not on their ability to fix an airplane but rather their leadership ability and that's where I see the similarities with Daniels being selected as Purdue's new president. I'm reminded that when Obama was first elected I was told to give him a chance and I feel that Daniels should be afforded the same opportunity by those that are quick to criticize his selection.

Another thing, that may or may not be related to politics, is that as Governor, Daniels proposed some changes at Purdue that could have a major effect on Purdue's stature as a leading university. I'm thinking that once he's actually in the job and not proposing changes from Indianapolis, he'll rethink some of them.

You keep citing Obama as an example, but I don't get it. He may have not had *much* government experience, but he had worked in the political arena a good part of his life. Daniels has not worked in the university arena, at all.

[HomeyG]

Another thing, that may or may not be related to politics, is that as Governor, Daniels proposed some changes at Purdue that could have a major effect on Purdue's stature as a leading university. I'm thinking that once he's actually in the job and not proposing changes from Indianapolis, he'll rethink some of them.

You keep citing Obama as an example, but I don't get it. He may have not had *much* government experience, but he had worked in the political arena a good part of his life. Daniels has not worked in the university arena, at all.

If you are painting the political arena with a broad brush and including community organizing you are right; however, if we are only talking about actual political experience at state and federal level I would say not so much. If we are looking at experience being a criteria then Hillary with her experience as a Senator and First Lady would have made her a better selection than Obama, and; I'll throw this in at the dismay of some of my liberal friends, a much better president.

You may be right he might have to do some rethinking, and it that is so, he may have some influence with the policies of other state governors, but we will have to take a "wait and see" attitude.

[TheBigB]

If you are painting the political arena with a broad brush and including community organizing you are right; however, if we are only talking about actual political experience at state and federal level I would say not so much. If we are looking at experience being a criteria then Hillary with her experience as a Senator and First Lady would have made her a better selection than Obama, and; I'll throw this in at the dismay of some of my liberal friends, a much better president.

It is interesting that you (as well as many people identifying themselves as being conservative) think that Obama is some sort of champion of the liberals. Most of the devout (and many of the moderate) liberals that I know are not happy with Obama at all, as he has done little to promote issues of importance to them. Many of the moderate liberals think that Clinton would have been a better choice as President (as well as some of the lefty liberals), truth be told.

Most of the strongest Obama supporters that I know are either moderate liberals or from the "previously not that involved with politics" camps.

[HoosierHelen]

8 out of the 10 trustees at Purdue were appointed by Daniels, for what it is worth.

Do you have some sort of connection with Purdue, Helen? I'm not sure why non-Purdue people would care either way.

As much as the political implications enter the picture, do not discount Mitch's past life at Eli Lilly as the prime mover here - I don't think you could find a single company that puts as much money into Purdue's bank account as Eli Lilly.

I remain so disappointed and dissatisfied with Purdue's choice for Daniels for their President. I refuse to give this topic enough of my energy to bring me to the level of anger. The question TheBigB posed to me here asking if I have any sort of connection with Purdue was truly a fair one. As I said earlier, my son got his bachelors from Purdue and his Doctorate from IU. So, I have a historical investment in Purdue, however, beyond this, I have carried a pride for several friends who received their engineering degrees from Purdue and excelled in their fields. Purdue has been an excellent academic resource within Indiana. I do have a deep desire to preserve it's integrity and reputation.

In my opinion Daniels caused great harm to our K-12 public schools by slashing unnecessary budget cuts from them. I feel these were manipulative, political moves that did not enhance the education and opportunities of our public students. After succeeding at slashing their budgets, cutting teachers & staff, he then magically discovered $320 million in the general fund that could have saved these jobs. Did he rehire them when he found these missing funds? NOT! Who suffered from this kind of manipulations? Teachers & Staff and their families, some very close to retirement and of course most importantly our Students.

Here are a couple of links that lead me to my concerns:

Group protests Daniels as Purdue president http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/indiana...urdue-pres-dbl

Mitch Daniels group discovers $320 million in 'missing' corporate tax revenue:

The Mitch Daniels administration in Indiana recently unearthed $320 million in "missing" corporate tax revenue.

In the interest of fairness on this topic, here is a link with a different point of view than mine: Mitch Daniels Can Help Shake Up Higher Education

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-0...education.html

[ARMYMPVET]

I am not a fan of Mitch Daniels either. I think that the President of a university should have a background in education. Inasmuch that he has already been appointed by the board, I hope he does a wonderful job for the sake of Purdue and the students and faculity.

Politics and political contributions aside, he may be able to raise educational contributions for the school. Time will tell.

I think that boycotting games is somewhat extreme. Athletic events and merchandise generate huge funds for the school. Lets remember, the students and their education is the number one priority here, not who is the school president.

[HoosierHelen]

I am not a fan of Mitch Daniels either. I think that the President of a university should have a background in education. Inasmuch that he has already been appointed by the board, I hope he does a wonderful job for the sake of Purdue and the students and faculity.

Politics and political contributions aside, he may be able to raise educational contributions for the school. Time will tell.

I think that boycotting games is somewhat extreme. Athletic events and merchandise generate huge funds for the school. Lets remember, the students and their education is the number one priority here, not who is the school president.

Army, I certainly agree with the priority being on the students education. As distasteful as I find Daniels, you are also correct, we need to hope for the best in his job performance for the sake of Purdue, it's good reputation and our students education. Now that he has been appointed, his position is most secure until/unless his mistakes become severe enough to draw significant attention. This is one of those times I hope my instincts are wrong about this.