TallTexan said:
Finally got around to submitting my comment so figured I would share here as well.
Quote:
Hello Regents,
In regards to SFA joining a system, I think it's a fantastic idea that can power SFA for the next 100 years. Some of the systems mentioned produce fine institutions.
SFA has several needs that systems can address. Additional funding. Increased admissions marketing. Initiatives to boost graduation rates. Support via athletic's buy games & conference moves. Prestige.
First, my opinion: I would be very much in favor of SFA joining the UT system. The UT Brand is known worldwide for academic quality. Additionally, based on the metrics, I think the system supports its schools very well. Overall, it has higher graduation rates, growth rates, professor salaries, & per student funding than the other systems. That will be good for every student who steps foot in Nacogdoches & our professors/staff too. I strongly believe in the "never be the smartest person in the room" principle. In any other system, we'd be the best & usually largest non flagship school on Day 1. I'd rather have peers that drive us to do better.
My next best option would be Texas Tech. To borrow an old technology industry adage, "no one ever got fired for buying IBM". If Texas is IBM, joining Tech is joining a promising startup. They understand political power & wield it effectively(see that new vet school) & understand regional identities. Furthermore, a synergistic relationship could exist tying East & West Texas together that could funnel excess DFW & HOU students to Nacogdoches. In 20 years, joining Tech could look very prescient.
Why not A&M or Texas State? Well for one, I'd ask whether SFA gains much under Texas State, besides losing our independent regents. They don't wield much if any political power & funding doesn't seem that great. As for A&M, their non PUF schools are languishing in growth rates & graduation rates. If not for the recent funding burst for Tarleton, a PUF school, all of their schools outside the flagship seem to be largely ignored or an afterthought. And under the state constitution, SFA will be a non PUF school no matter which system we chose, so how they treat non PUF schools is important.
So once again I reiterate my top 2 choices. UT, then Tech. I would be most happy with either.
If I were the regents, I would ask systems for the following statistics:
- Enrollment growth rate for the past decade
- Average Professor Salaries & Benefits
- Graduation Rates by race/first gen college students(and subsequent 10 year growth rates)
I would also be curious as to their plans for SFA, how they'll fund us, & whether we'll get system benefits like the UT Advantage program that provides funding for college for students whose families make under a certain threshold. UT RGV offers this for students whose families make under 100k. That would be huge for SFA students & their families.
PS: Much has been made about the name. Regardless of name, I will love the university in Nacogdoches currently known as SFA. I personally feel that some uniqueness is a plus. I will say that UT Nac, Texas Tech Nac, & A&M Nac would be a terrible branding decision.
If the name must change, I'd suggest one of the following based on system: UT East Texas, University of Texas Eastern, East Texas A&M, or East Texas Tech. Something that gives us some brandability within our home region without being too generic.
I'm confident that in today's political environment, the name will not change. One mention of "erasing Stephen F. Austin" will have prominent Texans who have to Google "where is SFA located" tying themselves to Surfing Steve & singing "we will not be moved". The name is safe.
As for the suggestion that all UT schools need an Orange highlight(debatable IMO), I'd suggest a reddish or pinkish orange replace the old red accents with a fitting name for the color like Tejas Sunset Orange to quell any naysayers.
You make very tangible points. My only difference, is with the naming convention. I feel this is an important point as the name is an important part of what makes SFA , SFA
Texas Tech is attractive because they have decided to allow autonomy with the benefits of system participation.
UT clearly has the biggest impact from a reputation standpoint. The monetary issues probably stack up very positively also, for the UT system. My compromise with respect to joining the UT system, would be our name. I would like us to be: Stephen F Austin University of Texas
Axe 'Em Jacks - Class of 85'
