Poll deadline extended

Last week I added a poll to the blog (top right) to get a sense of what folks were thinking about a potential UD / SJ(C?) partnership that included Dr. Dobler and Trustees. I've since extended the deadline to November 13th.

Polls like these cannot be taken too seriously. Consider the biases of readers of this blog, for example. Many of us likely felt mislead by Dobler and company at the time of closing, so it only makes sense that the poll would skew as it does.

However, I do think it points to a potential problem UD may encounter in attempting to set up camp here. There is likely to be vocal opposition, or at least a lack of support, for any deal that doesn't signal a departure from the past.

Hmm...

On a recent virtual visit to the Unversity of Dubuque via their website, I came across the following:



Look familiar? It appears (if the site is up to date) that the former President of Sheldon Jackson College is a special assistant to the President of Dubuque. This could be a good thing, as Dr. Haaland is sure to be as aware of SJ(C?)'s strengths and weaknesses as anyone. Yet it may also signify that the future of the campus may indeed too closely resemble its past.

UD to get Alaska Outpost?

Here's a link to the article.

There aren't any revelations in the article, but of note: Dr. Dobler states that SJ(C?) will be giving the campus to UD should the deal go through. Does this mean that Trustees will no longer have a role? Not sure. Dobler's comments to the Chamber a few weeks ago seemed to suggest that he and Trustees were an active part of the future of the campus.

I come across like a cheerleader for the whole thing, which might be overstating things a bit! I am hopeful, like most people, that something good can come out of this partnership. I remain opposed to a scenario in which the Trustees play a role in the future of students. Time will tell...

Dubuque Times-Herald article

This coming Saturday's Dubuque Telegraph-Herald is scheduled to print an article about the potential Dubuque / SJ(C?) partnership. I was interviewed this morning and did my best to present the case that while many people here are supportive of Dubuque's efforts, some must have assurances that the mistakes of the past (termination without notice, students left without a school to attend) will not be repeated. The surest way to accomplish this remains, in my opinion, the exclusion of President Dobler and the Trustees from the equation.

Cut from the same cloth?

Warning: My biases may be all too obvious here; judge for yourself.

My earlier post about Dubuque's interest in Sitka's academic workforce has garnered quite a few comments. Among them are concerns that criticism of Dobler and the Trustees is unproductive and may hurt the chances of a future partnership between the two schools.

My take: Any partnership that fails to address the issues of the past and hold accountable those responsble will not last. Secondly, any partnership that allows the SJ(C?) Board of Trustees authority over student welfare clearly fails to acknowledge the harm caused to students at the time of closure and fails to take seriously the responsibility an institution has to its students.

Unfortunately, Dubuque President Jeffrey Bullock seems to think that Dobler and the Trustees "served admirably" during this time. More of the same...

What do others think?

Faculty Wanted

As reported in the Daily Sentinel, The City of Sitka is working with the University of Dubuque to assess Sitkan's readiness and/or willingness to teach college courses.

Sitka was, of course, far more ready and willing before 100 of us were laid off with no notice...What's to say things will be different this time if Dobler and the Trustees remain involved?

Good News

To hear the latest on Raven Radio about Dubuque taking over SJ click here: Dubuque