UF Presidential Finalist - Ben Sasse

Seems to me he checks a lot of boxes.....extremely impressive personal academic career, appear to have done well as a Univ Pres (albeit a small institution), and certainly knows the political ropes and probably an outstanding fundraiser. Bonus points for being a huge football guy.

 

Spoke with a friend who talked me off the ledge.

I am woefully unimpressed with the academic work credentials. UF specifically listed University President at Midland University (1,300 student Lutheran school in Fremont, Nebraska), taught at UT Austin (no idea what), and had award winning dissertations. Compared to Fuchs (from Cornell), Machen (President of Utah and Provost of Michigan), and Young (Chancellor of UCLA), this feels VERY underwhelming.

BUT his political connections could/should be very useful for fundraising and getting the research dollars and donations up which is a big part of the job.

I still don’t like the hire but perhaps not as bad as I feared.

 

In today’s Politico story on this, Sasse said: “This time is different because the University of Florida is different: I think Florida is the most interesting university in America right now.”

 

Other institutions in FL recently have experienced vast failures trying to hire new admins. At FIU the top three finalists dropped out.

 

Yes, because it would be a shame for a bunch of intelligent people to infiltrate the board. BTW - poster's MOs on Too Hot are nothing like they are in the 'Gas. Some of the people whose politics I am diametrically opposed to are good friends over here. They even tolerate me from time to time.

 

I agree. And if I may opine, if we need to get a congressman from Nebraska to be the President of UF, conservative or otherwise, then the problems at UF or in the nation, are considerable.

The main goal of the President of a major college is to fund-raise. It is what it is. Is he up to the task of schmoozing some "less-than-Mid-West" types? I guess we shall see.

Oops, I just saw he was a senator and not a representative.

Welcome aboard! And bring your money guys. Cha CHING!!!

 

Strike one. We have only two more strikes.

How about editing and saying, "I am not sure if a conservative or moderate understands the implications of the NIL and those mouth-breathers in Alabama and Georgia." That should work.

 

To me he looks extremely qualified and I think the response to him in politics turning lukewarm probably made this choice easy for him.

 

Ah, got it. Well maybe the fact that he's a moderate means the political part is less interesting

 

As long as he wins us one more game then he is IN!

 

One? Let's aim higher!

 

Those for or against him due to his politics are just dumb.

The real question we all should be asking is can he recruit???

 

I think it's a weird choice for a lot of reasons, but it seems one that has been made.

That being said, those on the left will threaten to pull donations, and those on the right will say they are ready to go with their money more than ever... for a while. But if the money keeps coming in and the university keeps growing, that will settle out faster than a lot of folks may think.

Honestly, personal politics shouldn't matter much simply due to the demands on funding for a university. It doesn't afford allowing more radical chauvinism creeping into how to keep things going. Florida has something like a $3.4 billion dollar operational budget, and state funds accounts for less than 20% of that, if I read the last numbers correctly. The president's job is $$$, through his or her direct efforts and/or through having a vision that creates an environment that lets the various colleges and centers on campus bring it in. That may be a slight oversimplification, but it ultimately pretty well sums it up. Whether that money is in red or blue pockets, it's all still green, all still scarce, and presidents who are good at getting it know all of that and act accordingly.

It will certainly be interesting to see what happens.

 

Hope he’s qualified. Period. As a staunch conservative/nationalist, he doesn’t move the needle for me.

 

Not excited about the hire but didn't expect to be given the current environment in tally. Would have preferred an academic, no matter his politics. Hopefully, Sasse leaves his politics in Nebraska and focuses on academic excellence.

 

I love the choice. Anything but an academic would be my pick. The pillars of academia do weird things to a mind. JMHO! Most of my pals are PhD's. They sure like to disagree on things. One of my buddies sayings sums it up nicely: "I think I've said all you need to say about that!" Ha.

It says he's a Republican (a non-Trump supporter) but also previously at Yale, amongst others. New. Young. Blood. Less woke I hope. I also hope he's someone that serves the university well, and brings some needed 'balance', not just a caterer to the loudest screamers! Good Lord this country needs balance.

If he can continue our upward trajectory that'd be glorious. The University of Florida has done remarkably well over the years-I'd love to see some of the departments and colleges really make some quantum leaps over the next decade.

A non-political President would be good. A president that knows how to get more endowment $!

Gainesville and the University are a special place and deserve the best. We can only hope he's the one. Hopefully his first play won't be the dive play!

It's great to-be a Florida Gator.

Go Gators.

 

If he brings up the 96 Fiesta Bowl, he may want to get a place in Lake City.

 

Being a U.S. Senator is more impressive in my book.

But he seems perfectly capable of fundraising, annoying and appeasing both sides of the aisle, setting reasonable policy, and continue to raise the profile of the school.

 

Is he bringing Frost.