“Phased work begins this summer to advance Bendapudi’s vision, key goals”

[BobPSU92]

See the link below. From the article:

”UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Workgroups have been formed to advance each of the five key goals that Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi has identified for the University to work toward over the next five academic years. Efforts across each goal and from each workgroup will also contribute to a larger planning process — in which the broader University community will participate — to develop Penn State’s next strategic plan beginning this fall.

More than 80 individuals representing a broad cross-section of institutional perspectives and experiences were selected to serve on the workgroups by members of the President’s Council who are leading progress toward each of the five goals, which are to:

• Enhance student success
• Grow interdisciplinary research excellence
• Increase land-grant impact
• Foster diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging
• Transform Penn State’s internal operations

“As higher education and our world continue to change rapidly, the goals we are working toward will connect us as Penn Staters as we work together to build on our strengths, address challenges, and create a more inclusive, innovative, and effective University,” Bendapudi said. “By aligning our phased process to achieve our vision and goals with institutional strategic planning, we will develop a roadmap upon which each unit will be able to develop their own goals, measure outcomes, and continuously refine strategies to meet the needs of the students and communities we serve.”“

https://www.psu.edu/news/administration/story/phased-work-begins-summer-advance-bendapudis-vision-key-goals/

Workgroups, planning, strategery, roadmap…

MOAR. MONEY.

 

[TiogaLion]

Foster diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging

I have to throw-up now.

 

[TiogaLion]

Could someone please explain why cost reduction and balancing the budget aren't the top two goals? Anyone, please.

 

[BobPSU92]

Foster diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging

I have to throw-up now.

How much will it cost to be diverse, equitable, included, and belonged? How do you know when you’re DEIB. enough?

 

[BobPSU92]

Could someone please explain why cost reduction and balancing the budget aren't the top two goals? Anyone, please.

Take care of the little things, and the big things take care of themselves.

 

[HarrisburgDave]

Anyone who has ever accomplished successful tangible results knows that the possibility of achieving well defined goals diminishes with the addition of each member to any committee.

It is telling that academia, captured by do-gooder fools, seems to fall further behind each year in providing an affordable quality education to the people of this Commonwealth.

The counter revolution can’t come soon enough.

 

[Midnighter]

Foster diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging

I have to throw-up now.

LOL. Love the reactions to this stuff.

 

[HarrisburgDave]

Why the rolled eyes and contempt for making DEI a top priority?

You will obtain just results if you, 1. award achievement, and 2. make education affordable.

If you do anything else, such as establishing preferences based on income or race, you will be denying access to those who have earned it.

 

[Midnighter]

Why the rolled eyes and contempt for making DEI a top priority?

You will obtain just results if you, 1. award achievement, and 2. make education affordable.

If you do anything else, such as establishing preferences based on income or race, you will be denying access to those who have earned it.

Like the children of big donors or legacies….

 

[TiogaLion]

Like the children of big donors or legacies….

No, most of those people are considering sending their children to UVa or somewhere similar.

 

[JoeBatters1]

Anybody who has DIE as one of their key goals is not a serious person-but then, psu is likely not a serious institution.

 

[NittPicker]

Could someone please explain why cost reduction and balancing the budget aren't the top two goals? Anyone, please.

Because then they wouldn't be able to form as many work groups. It's always the same academic corporate speak regardless of who the university president is. There are always nebulous goals which require work groups to meet and talk about them. Rarely if ever do they come up with a solid plan designed to address the nebulous goals since the goals themselves aren't clearly defined. Enhance student success?? Grow interdisciplinary research excellence?? Blah, blah, blah. Those aren't defined goals. They're feel good ideas with no quantitative measuring stick.

But yeah, cost reduction goals and balanced budgets can be defined and analyzed. What are the work groups supposed to do with that??

 

[BobPSU92]

Because then they wouldn't be able to form as many work groups. It's always the same academic corporate speak regardless of who the university president is. There are always nebulous goals which require work groups to meet and talk about them. Rarely if ever do they come up with a solid plan designed to address the nebulous goals since the goals themselves aren't clearly defined. Enhance student success?? Grow interdisciplinary research excellence?? Blah, blah, blah. Those aren't defined goals. They're feel good ideas with no quantitative measuring stick.

But yeah, cost reduction goals and balanced budgets can be defined and analyzed. What are the work groups supposed to do with that??

We’ve got bloat, in spades. Might as well use it.

 

[PSUFTG]

Because then they wouldn't be able to form as many work groups. It's always the same academic corporate speak regardless of who the university president is. There are always nebulous goals which require work groups to meet and talk about them. Rarely if ever do they come up with a solid plan designed to address the nebulous goals since the goals themselves aren't clearly defined. Enhance student success?? Grow interdisciplinary research excellence?? Blah, blah, blah. Those aren't defined goals. They're feel good ideas with no quantitative measuring stick.

But yeah, cost reduction goals and balanced budgets can be defined and analyzed. What are the work groups supposed to do with that??

 

[Midnighter]

You know you're my guy Barry, but I haven't once seen a proposed solution to any of the spending issues Penn State has save 'don't spend money!'. The work you do researching comparable costs of projects elsewhere is good but how do you turn that into action? How does anyone get Penn State to spend smarter? I don't know - does anyone else?

 

[Midnighter]

Why the rolled eyes and contempt for making DEI a top priority?

You will obtain just results if you, 1. award achievement, and 2. make education affordable.

If you do anything else, such as establishing preferences based on income or race, you will be denying access to those who have earned it.

What do you mean by 'just' results? As in, will accomplish DEI goals (by rewarding achievement and making education affordable)? In states where AA has been eliminated as a determining factor in higher education the DEI results have been, predictably, worse. California banned affirmative action in higher ed 30 years ago and minority enrollment plummeted by 40% (at top UC schools) in the first year. California has since course corrected (not quite back to AA numbers, and they spent lots, and lots of money), but other states like Michigan haven't recovered. I'm all for no discrimination, but extend that to everything - geography, legacies, donor status, income level, etc.

 

[PSUFTG]

You know you're my guy Barry, but I haven't once seen a proposed solution to any of the spending issues Penn State has save 'don't spend money!'. The work you do researching comparable costs of projects elsewhere is good but how do you turn that into action? How does anyone get Penn State to spend smarter? I don't know - does anyone else?

I've got a long list - most of them plenty simple enough (and that should be obvious).

Unfortunately, as of right now, 35-1 is tough to overcome. Alas.

 

[Midnighter]

I've got a long list - most of them plenty simple enough (and that should be obvious).

Unfortunately, as of right now, 35-1 is tough to overcome. Alas.

View attachment 368022

Right - obvious answer is 'spend less'. Now, get them to do it.

 

[Hugh Laurie]

Will be interesting to see if she's here 5 years from now. Could be hired away to fill another organization's diversity needs.

 

[PSUFTG]

I've got a long list - most of them plenty simple enough (and that should be obvious).

Unfortunately, as of right now, 35-1 is tough to overcome. Alas.

View attachment 368022

With regard to the topic at hand, I can certainly share with you my thoughts on that topic (which i outlined some time ago).

While not specific to any one administrative proposal, it is, IMO, an imperative step to moving in the right direction.
Whether or not anyone else on the Board agrees? You'd have to ask them (maybe not a bad idea).

"Within the provinces and responsibilities of the PSU Board, the most important standards we set are those which provide the framework for the President’s administration. It is integral to the most important duty of the Board – that duty being the selection, direction, and evaluation of the University President.

In order for ANY performance standards, goals, and expectations to be useful – and, by proxy, for any performance evaluations to be worthwhile - they must meet certain minimum standards:
1) They must be congruent with the achievement of the institution’s most critical missions
2) They must be clearly defined and measurable and quantifiable – both in the present tense and moving forward
3) They must be ambitious, while not being unreasonable or unattainable
4) They must reasonably fall within the authority of the party held responsible

If done properly, the setting of those goals and expectations makes the evaluation process essentially a fate accompli – and it should.
In addition, a proper goal-setting process has many important ancillary benefits over and above serving as a basis for evaluation. And this is probably even more important and beneficial than the evaluation itself.

A well-defined process of setting the goals:

1 - Forces the Board to deliberate on just which missions are the most critical to the University and its stakeholders.
2 - Requires the Board to fully understand, in clear and factual terms, exactly where the University currently stands with regard to the achievement of those missions
3 - Requires the Board to monitor progress towards improving upon those missions

All of these are very significant benefits, above and beyond simply serving as the structure to develop Presidential Goals.
Only by knowing exactly what the mission is, knowing exactly where we are today, and knowing exactly what progress (or regression) has occurred, can any governing body evaluate the efficacy of the actions taken in the interim.

We have witnessed, over the previous decade, the fallout of having not gone through that process in a meaningful way. If we had, would Eric Barron have been a far more accomplished President? Would the process have helped to avert PSU’s precipitous slide in so many key metrics? I don’t know – but it certainly couldn’t have hurt, and likely would have, at the very least, put a more timely end to a tenure that resulted in crippling financial difficulties, dramatic drops in academic and other ratings metrics, etc.

If we don’t do it right, the process as adjudicated over the prior several years simply results in a false sense of solace – which hinders more than it helps.

In summary, this is a very important process - and one that deserves thorough deliberation, both in style and specifics. Checking off boxes relative to nebulous aspirations, with no basis established of clear measurable expectations (mission-critical, quantifiable and defined, attributable, and ambitious expectations) is Quixotic, at best, and potentially and historically harmful.

Determining exactly which goals should be prioritized, and how to incentivize goal achievement, is a task calling for the involvement of all members of the Board. That is an entirely separate process. But, to aid in clarity and catalyze conversation, let me provide a sample document, attached above, to show how such a set of goals might be presented (portions of which are borrowed from programs/contracts in place at other higher-ed institutions)"

 

[BobPSU92]

Right - obvious answer is 'spend less'. Now, get them to do it.

Tighten their belts except, “this is day of the expanding man…”

 

[PSUFTG]

Right - obvious answer is 'spend less'. Now, get them to do it.

I'd prefer "waste less (ideally, waste nothing)"... but I am sure we are on the same wavelength.

 

[ApexLion]

Our Prez would be fun to listen to while playing.

Bingo!

 

[TiogaLion]

Barry, I like your outline above, but we're in dire straits so here's what I'd do. Hoping this would pass by a vote of 36 - 0.

Board to Neeli

Prepare and implement an action reduction plan 10 weeks from today that:

A: Going forward the budget will be balanced within 10 weeks from today.
B: Includes a tuition reduction of 3% per year beginning Spring Semester 2024 for ALL Students, through 2030.
C: Provides for Graduate student compensation packages that are competitive with all Big Ten Institutions starting Fall 2024.
D: Slashes Administrative costs by a minimum of 15% no later then 10 weeks from today.

Bring your proposal for Board review 6 weeks from today. This is urgent so there will be no second chances.

Love, The Board.


If anyone here has gone through a hostile corporate takeover you will understand that the above actually works.

 

[Midnighter]

Barry, I like your outline above, but we're in dire straits so here's what I'd do. Hoping this would pass by a vote of 36 - 0.

Board to Neeli

Prepare and implement an action reduction plan 10 weeks from today that:

A: Going forward the budget will be balanced within 10 weeks from today.
B: Includes a tuition reduction of 3% per year beginning Spring Semester 2024 for ALL Students, through 2030.
C: Provides for Graduate student compensation packages that are competitive with all Big Ten Institutions starting Fall 2024.
D: Slashes Administrative costs by a minimum of 15% no later then 10 weeks from today.

Bring your proposal for Board review 6 weeks from today. This is urgent so there will be no second chances.

Love, The Board.


If anyone here has gone through a hostile corporate takeover you will understand that the above actually works.

Is Penn State in the money making business? I find it odd when people think institutions (education, government, etc.) whose main mission is not making profits should operate as if it is....

Not that your ideas aren't good, but - the mission of Penn State is to provide an education and conduct research. They can do it better and should, but this wouldn't work.

 

[TiogaLion]

Is Penn State in the money making business? I find it odd when people think institutions (education, government, etc.) whose main mission is not making profits should operate as if it is....

Not that your ideas aren't good, but - the mission of Penn State is to provide an education and conduct research. They can do it better and should, but this wouldn't work.

So, it appears you have a problem with getting costs under control so that the institution can reduce tuition for all students and provide competitive graduate students with compensation which will attract the best and brightest who will likely teach many undergraduate classes as well as conduct research?

The school has been raising tuition continuously. Our graduate student compensation packages are horrendous and no really good candidate, meaning they have multiple offers, is going to come to Penn State. We are bleeding money everywhere and our academic ranking has suffered as a direct result.

Oh, I'd also tell Neeli to give the rest of the world the bird and honor Paterno in a BIG way. You'd watch donations skyrocket immediately. Bring Sue and all of her children and do not invite a single member of the OG BOT, not one.

 

[Midnighter]

So, it appears you have a problem with getting costs under control so that the institution can reduce tuition for all students and provide competitive graduate students with compensation which will attract the best and brightest who will likely teach many undergraduate classes as well as conduct research?

The school has been raising tuition continuously. Our graduate student compensation packages are horrendous and no really good candidate, meaning they have multiple offers, is going to come to Penn State. We are bleeding money everywhere and our academic ranking has suffered as a direct result.

Oh, I'd also tell Neeli to give the rest of the world the bird and honor Paterno in a BIG way. You'd watch donations skyrocket immediately. Bring Sue and all of her children and do not invite a single member of the OG BOT, not one.

No, but instead of starting with a number and working backwards from there, I'd start with the mission/priorities and identify the best way to accomplish them. Saying, 'Cut 15% of your costs. Now,' might work for shareholders, but not sure it's the wisest move for a university whose primary mission is to educate. Biggest issue working against Penn State is the academic ranking keeps dropping while the spending increases. They don't seem to have an enrollment problem. Incentive to drastically do anything is basically zero.

 

[TiogaLion]

No, but instead of starting with a number and working backwards from there, I'd start with the mission/priorities and identify the best way to accomplish them. Saying, 'Cut 15% of your costs. Now,' might work for shareholders, but not sure it's the wisest move for a university whose primary mission is to educate. Biggest issue working against Penn State is the academic ranking keeps dropping while the spending increases. They don't seem to have an enrollment problem. Incentive to drastically do anything is basically zero.

The incentive is that Neeli gets to continue in her job.

 

[PSUFTG]

No, but instead of starting with a number and working backwards from there, I'd start with the mission/priorities and identify the best way to accomplish them. Saying, 'Cut 15% of your costs. Now,' might work for shareholders, but not sure it's the wisest move for a university whose primary mission is to educate. Biggest issue working against Penn State is the academic ranking keeps dropping while the spending increases. They don't seem to have an enrollment problem. Incentive to drastically do anything is basically zero.

FWIW:

Actually, I would say there is a HUGE enrollment problem (actually, at least 2 distinct huge enrollment problems - and depending on how granular one wants to get, more than that).

 

[Midnighter]

The incentive is that Neeli gets to continue in her job.

Right, but Barry is the lone fiscal conservative on the BOT - he's badly outmanned. I also did not see any reference to balancing the budget or controlling costs in Neeli's five goals.

 

[Midnighter]

FWIW:

Actually, I would say there is a HUGE enrollment problem (actually, at least 2 distinct huge enrollment problems - and depending on how granular one wants to get, more than that).

Huge? Two of them? Go on....

 

[bdgan]

How much will it cost to be diverse, equitable, included, and belonged? How do you know when you’re DEIB. enough?

There's a separate Office of Diversity and Inclusion Engagement. There's also an Office of Educational Equity and an Office of Graduate Educational Equity. I know they have a Dean of Compassion and Caring and I'm sure I've missed other related departments. They probably have 40,000 employees to train when you include things like the Commonwealth Campuses, Dickinson Law, and the Hershey Medical Center. In fact there are probably DEI employees at each of those locations. There are efforts to recruit minorities which includes travel, advertising, minority scholarships, etc. Bottom line is that I'm sure they spend many $millions.

 

[TiogaLion]

Right, but Barry is the lone fiscal conservative on the BOT - he's badly outmanned. I also did not see any reference to balancing the budget or controlling costs in Neeli's five goals.

Sadly, budget and cost control is not part of her plan hence the BOT needs to tell her to do it. You don't seem to get it that our money problems are the main cause of all the other problems.

 

[Midnighter]

Sadly, budget and cost control is not part of her plan hence the BOT needs to tell her to do it. You don't seem to get it that our money problems are the main cause of all the other problems.

You don't seem to get that the BOT hired her.

 

[PSUFTG]

Huge? Two of them? Go on....

You'd probably want to get a Snickers to go with the comfy seat....
But just a couple of prime issues:
Thousands of empty seats at the CCs
Historically low yields - that are also lower than any of our peers (especially of "most desired" candidates)

 

[HarrisburgDave]

Is Penn State in the money making business? I find it odd when people think institutions (education, government, etc.) whose main mission is not making profits should operate as if it

What’s odd is that you can think that any not-for-profit can be successful without having revenues in excess of expenses. That is a priority for any well run organization.

Without those revenues there is nothing available to maintain facilities, invest in equipment, compensate staff, and undertake expanded operations.

The best CEOs of not-for-profit organizations generate revenues over expenses, operate fiscally sound organizations and are compensated very well.

I have sat on the Boards of two not-for-profits. Every Board meeting began with an overview of the financials, matching budgets with year to date operations, looking for changes in our fiscal assumptions and adjusting our operations accordingly.

When the goal of a public university should be to provide an affordable quality education it astounds me that Penn State does not make that THE priority.

You asked earlier “what is just”. Easy. Just is doing our best to provide that people in our society receive the benefits they have earned. Creating programs to dish out benefits to those who have not earned them, at the loss to the people who have, are unjust.

I don’t care if the classes at universities having science, math, and professional schools are disproportionally filled by students with ethnic Jewish, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese and Chinese backgrounds, if they earned those positions. I do care if ethnic Europeans, African, or Hispanic students get those spots based upon a wrong headed programs selective treatment, and not thru achievement.

Call me old fashioned.

 

[Bison13]

Huge? Two of them? Go on....

Huge? Two of them? There used to be a thread and Friday polls about those items…

 

[bdgan]

Why the rolled eyes and contempt for making DEI a top priority?

You will obtain just results if you, 1. award achievement, and 2. make education affordable.

If you do anything else, such as establishing preferences based on income or race, you will be denying access to those who have earned it.

There's a comedian named George Wallace who has segments in his routine that he starts with "If I was in charge, ...." In that spirit here's what my priorities would be "If I was in charge" at PSU.

• Offer best in class education in areas such as business, law, healthcare, and computer science.
• Do so at the lowest possible cost to students.

Everything else would be secondary. Other areas like sports and research are fine but they should be self funding and have no impact on the cost for 40,000+ students to obtain their degrees. DEI is nice but it shouldn't distract from the primary mission.

 

[JakkL]

Freeze tuition for a few years and then work backwards from there to reduce spending. PSU tuition is ridiculous for a state school.

 

[pamdlion]

Eliminate any jobs with more than 3 words in their title.