So I just received my BOT ballot email

[Nitt1300]

And for the first time ever, I find myself wondering if I care enough to even open it, let alone vote.

And I find myself both sad and angry about that. But mostly just sad.

 

[psu00]

Put that effort into calling your state rep/ senator to get the reform bill through the General Assembly in Harrisburg. (There’s a ‘find my legislator’ section in the left column).


http://www.legis.state.pa.us/index.cfm?mobile_choice=suppress

 

[Nitt1300]

Put that effort into calling your state rep/ senator to get the reform bill through the General Assembly in Harrisburg. (There’s a ‘find my legislator’ section in the left column).


http://www.legis.state.pa.us/index.cfm?mobile_choice=suppress

I don't vote in PA- but I agree with your thought

 

[Obliviax]

have to agree....what progress has been made in the last four years. At some point, you approach the definition of insanity. In the end, are you efforts better pointed to a place where you time and money will make a difference?

 

[demlion]

have to agree....what progress has been made in the last four years. At some point, you approach the definition of insanity. In the end, are you efforts better pointed to a place where you time and money will make a difference?

I might agree, were there any time or money involved. But voting in a BOT election is about as tough as applying for a resident fishing license, except its free.

 

[Obliviax]

I might agree, were there any time or money involved. But voting in a BOT election is about as tough as applying for a resident fishing license, except its free.

yes and no. To make a smart decision, you've got to research the candidates. that takes time...time that could be spent on something else. As it stands, a lot of people put a lot of time into reforming PSU. Perhaps I am wrong, you would know better, not a lot has improved. I thank you for your efforts. But the old guard still runs the BOT and they are still slamming through very questionable practices with no penalties to be paid.

I am not a PSU alum and don't have a vote. That doesn't mean I don't hold PSU near and dear to my heart. Nor do I underestimate the value PSU brings to the good people of PA. But if I did have a vote, I'd probably NOT do the research and put my time towards more productive efforts like supporting my local church or hospital. (or, I'd just do whatever Tom McA told me to do)

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I'm still stunned that there doesn't appear to be any sensible conflict of interest guidelines for the BOT and there appears to be at least a few members who benefit directly from Penn State contracts they approve (someone can correct me if I'm wrong).

 

[Glen]

Only four candidates on the ballot and is it possible that none are a " bad guy".

 

[Nitt1300]

I might agree, were there any time or money involved. But voting in a BOT election is about as tough as applying for a resident fishing license, except its free.

yeah, but you can actually catch some fish if you apply for it

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

They self-report "Conflicts of Interest".... which is a real joke - you can see the most recent ones here:

https://trustees.psu.edu/pdf/BOT RTK Disclosure Summary 1.10.17.pdf

And, in the meantime, no one pays attention - - - - and, sure as hell, ain't none of the Trustees ever going to speak up.

Like here, when Lubert was awarded contracts of over $878,000 per year (at lease rates of $25 per square foot - 2 to 3 times higher than comparable leases throughout State College) and NO ONE SAID "Boo"..... and every year its the same thing - like Groundhog Day:


BOT Minutes from Dambly's "Finance Committee".... July 2013


7/12/2013 BOT 5

7. Reports from Standing Committees (Continued)
C. Committee on Finance, Business and Capital Planning (Continued)
3) Conflict of Interest - Approval of Leases with PSRP Developers, Inc., Innovation
Park (Continued)

Will the committee on Finance, Business and Capital Planning recommend to the
Board of Trustees adoption of the following resolutions:

RESOLVED, That the current leases in 101 and 103
Innovation Boulevard with PSRP Developers, Inc., totaling 31,891
square feet at a current annual cost of $787,338 are hereby ratified.
FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, that the proposed lease in 101
Innovation Boulevard with PSRP Developers, Inc. for 3,575 square
feet at an initial annual cost of $90,806 is hereby approved



But the same worthless, mute nimrods - who tell us how difficult their job is, and how dedicated they are to serving you and the University - keep getting re-elected.


Because.....?

Are these resolutions voted on by the entire board?

 

[BrandonShort43]

And for the first time ever, I find myself wondering if I care enough to even open it, let alone vote.

And I find myself both sad and angry about that. But mostly just sad.

Vote! Even if not for me it takes only a few minutes and we need alumni to care so that mistakes of the past aren’t repeated.

 

[PSUMATT85]

And for the first time ever, I find myself wondering if I care enough to even open it, let alone vote.

And I find myself both sad and angry about that. But mostly just sad.

I have voted on every election since 1986. Not planning on this year

 

[Fizz1]

"""

And for the first time ever, I find myself wondering if I care enough to even open it, let alone vote.""

I feel the opposite. It is critical for alumni to remain engaged and voting is an important way to do so. Vote and encourage your fellow alumni to do the same. Nothing would send a louder message (to the relief of some) than a decrease in voter turnout.

 

[NewEra 2014]

Vote! Even if not for me it takes only a few minutes and we need alumni to care so that mistakes of the past aren’t repeated.

Brandon, I appreciate the sentiment. I voted, and voted for you, but I just don't care anymore.

The thing is, I don't think our BOT believes that they made any mistakes. So I'm pretty much done with Penn State, except for cheering for their athletic programs. I have no use for the rest of the University. Good luck with your candidacy.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Yes


And - almost without exception - “your” Trustees approve unanimously



Sometimes they ask for Chocolate Milk to be served

That's just - wow.

 

[TenerHallTerror]

Depends on your definition.

What constitutes a "Bad Guy"?


Are you fond of disingenuous, lying posers (de Levie)?
Are you fond of do-nothing, lazy incumbents (Tribeck)?

If so, you've got some great options.

someone is off his meds again

 

[Nitt1300]

Vote! Even if not for me it takes only a few minutes and we need alumni to care so that mistakes of the past aren’t repeated.

I promise that if I do vote you will get mine Brandon- but I also promise that if I vote I'm going to be watching. And I would be trusting you to make some people uncomfortable- very uncomfortable.

 

[Art]

To those who have decided not to vote or are considering it, I urge you to rethink your position. Nothing will encourage those in power more than a low turn out. So make the whores and thieves like Dambly and Lubert just a wee bit uncomfortable even if it's just for a brief moment.......and VOTE!

 

[lauriestanell4alumnicouncil]

Nitt1300 I understand your feelings. I've been attending at least three Penn State related functions a week since January,(and a lot before that for years) and this is the overwhelming message I'm hearing. And these are gatherings of Penn Staters!

The number one question I get is "Why are you running for trustee?" A lot of times it's not asked with a smile, but with pity. Almost like "You pull teeth for a living, don't you want to do something fun?"

My answer is that, for whatever reason, having gone to over 16 BOT meetings has energized me. I have left every one of them saying "This is [RADIO EDIT]. I can make a difference. I have to do more."

I have seen BOT meeting attendance dwindle, and many of our fellow alums just walk away. I understand but it makes me sad.

I wish we had had more wins in the last few years. I wish what happened to Penn State had been a huge wake up call to other universities like Michigan State. It sucks that there doesn't seem to be any silver lining anywhere and that kids are suffering.

I only know the fire in me, and I wish I could share it. I'm going to get elected, and I know exactly what I'm going to do because I've seen first hand, for years, how this board operates. I would appreciate your vote, and I would appreciate you holding me to task for what I say I''m going to do, and what I do. I am going to try, and keep trying, and try loudly.

 

[demlion]

I'LL be voting, as will lots of my friends. What is there to lose by filling out a ballot?

It is not out of the ordinary to think thst it does not matter. I felt that way right up til 2011 myself. I never voted in an election before then. So, I KNOW ALREADY what the payoff is when i DON'T vote.

I will vote because, fail or succeed, I need to own it. When i paid no attention, they damn near ruined my University, and my daughter's University. I may donate my money elsewhere until these thieves are gone, but I will vote.

 

[PeetzPoolBoy]

I’m not voting, because I don’t believe in participating in “rigged games” (a 38 member Board of which only 9 are elected by the alumni). I’ll resume voting when and if real BOT reform is brought to PSU by whomever is in power in Harrisburg.

 

[PSUMATT85]

Nitt1300 I understand your feelings. I've been attending at least three Penn State related functions a week since January,(and a lot before that for years) and this is the overwhelming message I'm hearing. And these are gatherings of Penn Staters!

The number one question I get is "Why are you running for trustee?" A lot of times it's not asked with a smile, but with pity. Almost like "You pull teeth for a living, don't you want to do something fun?"

My answer is that, for whatever reason, having gone to over 16 BOT meetings has energized me. I have left every one of them saying "This is [RADIO EDIT]. I can make a difference. I have to do more."

I have seen BOT meeting attendance dwindle, and many of our fellow alums just walk away. I understand but it makes me sad.

I wish we had had more wins in the last few years. I wish what happened to Penn State had been a huge wake up call to other universities like Michigan State. It sucks that there doesn't seem to be any silver lining anywhere and that kids are suffering.

I only know the fire in me, and I wish I could share it. I'm going to get elected, and I know exactly what I'm going to do because I've seen first hand, for years, how this board operates. I would appreciate your vote, and I would appreciate you holding me to task for what I say I''m going to do, and what I do. I am going to try, and keep trying, and try loudly.

Laurie

I appreciate your passion.

I have shared my watch out to many university leaders over the years, “ never disregard extremely loyal people to the point they no longer care”. Well, that’s where we are. Does that mean they won? Probably, but again, I no longer care.

 

[PSUSignore]

I have seen BOT meeting attendance dwindle, and many of our fellow alums just walk away. I understand but it makes me sad.

The BOT has trivialized the voices of the alumni. They way they "revised" the public comment sessions at BOT meetings was laughable. The BOT doesn't respond to questions or criticisms, it's like they feel they are accountable to no one. This is why interest and attendance is dwindling. The BOT made it this way and from what I have seen, most of the BOT wants it that way.

 

[tk819]

Laurie Stanell has my vote. She is fearless and won't fade away once the election is over. Her connection with the alumni base is unmatched, and I know she will be my voice, our voice. She has already built solid connections with state legislators where real board reform must be initiated. Don't underestimate her ability to be a catalyst for change.

 

[MontereyLion]

It is simple...if you don't vote, they win. They have been saying since 2011..Move On. If you don't vote they win because you moved on.

 

[interrobang]

It is simple...if you don't vote, they win. They have been saying since 2011..Move On. If you don't vote they win because you moved on.

They won the minute they decided to use their power and influence to pin the entire Sandusky scandal on the athletic department