THE IUP Football Thread

[Fightingscot82]

Thanks for the update. I'm going to assume that it is credible. Also, I hope other posters understand why this brief conversation is coming up on the IUP Football thread as it is important stuff.

I don't think anybody would be blindly optimistic. Driscoll can cite positive applications numbers. Hopefully, that trend will bear itself out. Also, reading between the lines (making assumptions) it seems possible the resources they do have are moving to the development of the medical school. As I understand it, a Dean for that has to be in place to move forward and he/she will not be cheap. I believe that if Driscoll himself has a vision for IUP is transforming into a STEAM-focused place. The Business school will rebound and thrive, also, IMO. That is a legitimate direction for IUP. The bottom line is so much of the future for IUP (and all PASSHE schools) depends on what decisions are made in Harrisburg. The entire state system is going to continue to change. I don't know if you can say continue to evolve.

They're raising money for the med school but nothing monumental like the Kopchick gift. The reporting they're sending the state, though, says their savings is almost dry. Fortunately for IUP that means they can just keep taking from West Chester to pay the bills. They just lose a lot more financial autonomy. There are more yet to be announced major changes down the pike coming from Sutton Hall. I'm assuming more consolidations, program eliminations, and layoffs. To make this all more fun, almost every union contract for PASSHE expires June 30. Only the police have settled so far. Still to come are APSCUF (2 contracts for professors & coaches), AFSME (clerical & maintenance), and SCUPA (student facing professional staff).

I do think a Pennsylvania Western University hubbed out of Indiana with specialized node campuses could work. I just don't think collective IUP world would go for that nor do I think the system & state governance is that creative.

[Fightingscot82]

I hate to say it, but could this be the precursor to folding IUP into Penn West? I've said it before...I think the integration was the 'dipping the big toe into the water' to streamline more campuses entering the fray. Thoughts?

IUP and West Chester have immunity from mergers & closures. IUP had it as a condition for joining PASSHE then West Chester added it during the merger extravaganza since they're the only real successful school right now.

[RockPride]

Thanks for the update. I'm going to assume that it is credible. Also, I hope other posters understand why this brief conversation is coming up on the IUP Football thread as it is important stuff.

I don't think anybody would be blindly optimistic. Driscoll can cite positive applications numbers. Hopefully, that trend will bear itself out. Also, reading between the lines (making assumptions) it seems possible the resources they do have are moving to the development of the medical school. As I understand it, a Dean for that has to be in place to move forward and he/she will not be cheap. I believe that if Driscoll himself has a vision for IUP is transforming into a STEAM-focused place. The Business school will rebound and thrive, also, IMO. That is a legitimate direction for IUP. The bottom line is so much of the future for IUP (and all PASSHE schools) depends on what decisions are made in Harrisburg. The entire state system is going to continue to change. I don't know if you can say continue to evolve.

I hate to say it, but could this be the precursor to folding IUP into Penn West? I've said it before...I think the integration was the 'dipping the big toe into the water' to streamline more campuses entering the fray. Thoughts?

[IUPNation]

IUP is financially now approaching the stage where the PennWest schools were right before Covid. PASSHE internal reporting suggests that IUP will be completely out of financial reserves by August. These cuts will save approximately $2 million a year from salary & benefits. Driscoll has now entered the most difficult stage of his presidency: maintaining face while trying to keep things afloat.

The facilities strategic plan is being updated and slashed significantly. A new football stadium has been eliminated from the plans. There is a suggestion of a donor funded indoor facility at what looks like behind the home stands of Miller. The design looks like an indoor track & turf style facility but some info suggests a new pool.

TLDR: IUP is broke and unless they figure out how to reverse a decade of enrollment losses they're going to have to start cutting into the bone.

Give IUP the money Penn state wants for their foosball stadium.

[iupgroundhog]

IUP is financially now approaching the stage where the PennWest schools were right before Covid. PASSHE internal reporting suggests that IUP will be completely out of financial reserves by August. These cuts will save approximately $2 million a year from salary & benefits. Driscoll has now entered the most difficult stage of his presidency: maintaining face while trying to keep things afloat.

The facilities strategic plan is being updated and slashed significantly. A new football stadium has been eliminated from the plans. There is a suggestion of a donor funded indoor facility at what looks like behind the home stands of Miller. The design looks like an indoor track & turf style facility but some info suggests a new pool.

TLDR: IUP is broke and unless they figure out how to reverse a decade of enrollment losses they're going to have to start cutting into the bone.

Thanks for the update. I'm going to assume that it is credible. Also, I hope other posters understand why this brief conversation is coming up on the IUP Football thread as it is important stuff.

I don't think anybody would be blindly optimistic. Driscoll can cite positive applications numbers. Hopefully, that trend will bear itself out. Also, reading between the lines (making assumptions) it seems possible the resources they do have are moving to the development of the medical school. As I understand it, a Dean for that has to be in place to move forward and he/she will not be cheap. I believe that if Driscoll himself has a vision for IUP is transforming into a STEAM-focused place. The Business school will rebound and thrive, also, IMO. That is a legitimate direction for IUP. The bottom line is so much of the future for IUP (and all PASSHE schools) depends on what decisions are made in Harrisburg. The entire state system is going to continue to change. I don't know if you can say continue to evolve.

[Fightingscot82]

IUP is financially now approaching the stage where the PennWest schools were right before Covid. PASSHE internal reporting suggests that IUP will be completely out of financial reserves by August. These cuts will save approximately $2 million a year from salary & benefits. Driscoll has now entered the most difficult stage of his presidency: maintaining face while trying to keep things afloat.

The facilities strategic plan is being updated and slashed significantly. A new football stadium has been eliminated from the plans. There is a suggestion of a donor funded indoor facility at what looks like behind the home stands of Miller. The design looks like an indoor track & turf style facility but some info suggests a new pool.

TLDR: IUP is broke and unless they figure out how to reverse a decade of enrollment losses they're going to have to start cutting into the bone.

[iupgroundhog]

Here is the IG article. It's pretty comprehensive.

https://www.indianagazette.com/news/...s-source=login

[Fightingscot82]

If these schools were run by business people instead of academics they'd cut a lot more than these five from yesterday.

Lean and Six Sigma don't work in industries where the product is directly delivered by rank and file expertise. I think you can identify cost savings in replacing with lower salaried less experienced workers and inefficiencies on the back end, where all of these changes were made at IUP. If you cut on the front lines of your constituents (in this case students, prospective students, alumni & community) that usually is met with a corresponding drop in revenue by students leaving, students not choosing IUP, or decreased alumni & community support. Its similar in heath care. You don't notice the cuts in marketing or billing but you sure as heck notice the cuts in service providers. Toward the end of my time at Bobby Mo, they were using a Lean model of annual percentage-based personnel cuts, you'd spend the next year getting used to the new normal with a heavier workload, then the same time next year it repeats itself again. It cut the soul out of the campus and they've had a directly related reduction in enrollment, revenue, and alumni support. But hey, those corporate exec trustees can now enjoy those epic basketball games against Illinois State and UW-Green Bay in the comfort of the club level in that basketball arena!

[iupgroundhog]

If these schools were run by business people instead of academics they'd cut a lot more than these five from yesterday.

But they cut the business aspects, not the academics.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

I get what you're saying. In my experience the division VP supervises mid-level department managers and reports upward to the president & trustees. Yes, some set strategy and tone (my current one excels at this) but often the specific strategy and execution is at the department director level. You can have the best VP but if you have crap directors managing the operational teams, it won't work.

If these schools were run by business people instead of academics they'd cut a lot more than these five from yesterday.

[Fightingscot82]

You could be right. Who knows the actual dynamics of it all. I think you are confusing the strategic with the operational, though.

Like I said I thought these people were there to create, provide, and implement the directions of the efforts. That is different than "doing the work." Also, like I said, it's possible they weren't effective or maybe the "direction" part is better left to outside consultants.

The bottom line is that it appears to be primarily a cost-cutting measure and those are rarely good.

I get what you're saying. In my experience the division VP supervises mid-level department managers and reports upward to the president & trustees. Yes, some set strategy and tone (my current one excels at this) but often the specific strategy and execution is at the department director level. You can have the best VP but if you have crap directors managing the operational teams, it won't work.

[iupgroundhog]

Expertise but also top heavy. They weren't doing the actual work - just supervising the people or the directors of the people who were doing the work. I imagine what he'll do is lower the title rank of the leadership positions and hire new people. You get two birds with one stone: new blood at a lower cost. Here's who is remaining:

You could be right. Who knows the actual dynamics of it all. I think you are confusing the strategic with the operational, though.

Like I said I thought these people were there to create, provide, and implement the directions of the efforts. That is different than "doing the work." Also, like I said, it's possible they weren't effective or maybe the "direction" part is better left to outside consultants.

The bottom line is that it appears to be primarily a cost-cutting measure and those are rarely good.

[Fightingscot82]

Yeah, but from what I recall, these people had expertise in the specific area. That's why they were hired, to provide expertise and direction. I admit I don't know the entire landscape but I don't think there is anybody as qualified to assume the responsibilities. Maybe they weren't effective, I don't know. I just think having specialists in those areas was a good thing. Plus, these two areas don't seem to be Driscoll's fortes.

Expertise but also top heavy. They weren't doing the actual work - just supervising the people or the directors of the people who were doing the work. I imagine what he'll do is lower the title rank of the leadership positions and hire new people. You get two birds with one stone: new blood at a lower cost. Here's who is remaining:

Enrollment Management: Graduate Admissions (7 people), Admissions Operations (3 people), Financial Aid, Undergraduate Admissions (3 people), Enrollment Engagement & Partnerships (4 people), Strategic Advisor for Student Success.

Marketing & Communications: Brand Management (3 people), Creative (1 person), Design (4 people, Writing (2 people including one regular on here), Digital (3 people), Video (2 people).

University Advancement: Strategic Partnerships (1 person), Alumni & Constituent Engagement (11 people), Development (4 people), Advancement Services & Annual Giving (8 people).

There are still 7 people remaining in HR.

By downgrading the rank/title of the positions, its possible he could reduce his eventual direct reports and also save a few hundred thousand dollars in payroll & benefits. In PASSHE, benefits are usually 125-150% of salary.

[IUPNation]

I suppose in fairness one can only question how well they were actually doing their jobs.


Enrollment Management and Marketing & Communications ... two items not exactly thriving over the past 5 years. IUP's enrollment is horrendous and its marketing is basically also horrendous.

Until they get room and board more affordable...it will continue. It's 50% of the total cost.

[IUPbigINDIANS]

Yeah, but from what I recall, these people had expertise in the specific area. That's why they were hired, to provide expertise and direction. I admit I don't know the entire landscape but I don't think there is anybody as qualified to assume the responsibilities. Maybe they weren't effective, I don't know. I just think having specialists in those areas was a good thing. Plus, these two areas don't seem to be Driscoll's fortes.

I suppose in fairness one can only question how well they were actually doing their jobs.


Enrollment Management and Marketing & Communications ... two items not exactly thriving over the past 5 years. IUP's enrollment is horrendous and its marketing is basically also horrendous.