OT: $324 Million master plan is a go for WVU

[http://wvmetronews.com/hepc-signs-o
ff-on-wvu-master-plan/]

The state Higher Education Policy Commission gave final approval Friday to a $324 million master plan from West Virginia University.

The sweeping, 10-year plan includes upgrades to numerous facilities, new construction, an increase in the number of beds available to students and a new wellness center.

WVU spokesman John Bolt said most of the 18 projects will be developed over the next five years.  Many of those are part of the Evansdale Redevelopment plan, which is already well underway, Bolt said.

“Really over the next five years, the focus will be on these projects, most of which have already been funded,” Bolt said.  “Some things are the agricultural sciences building, the art museum, College of Law addition, student housing master plan and more.”

The projects will be funded through bonds, private contributions, and reserves.

Bolt said the PRT could also receive upgrades as part of the plan.  He said WVU is fortunate to be in a position to improve facilities.

“So many other major universities are having to contract and we’re able to keep pushing ahead for now,” Bolt said.  “Every piece of it is intended to make it a better place for students.”

The WVU Board of Governors originally endorsed the plan last December.

 He said WVU is fortunate to be in a position to improve facilities.

“So many other major universities are having to contract and we’re able to keep pushing ahead for now,” Bolt said.  “Every piece of it is intended to make it a better place for students.”

Would like for some people on here to tell me again how its not important for the Athletic Dept to maximize its income so that it can remain self sufficient....

by keeping the Athletic Dept up and running on its own it allows other funding to go where it belongs...

The past few days, I have been on Facebook responding to some of my old MHS schoolmates about the AD and our current football coach.  Some of these guys are on the same page as DAD.  They feel Luck does not have the fans' best interests at heart.  They don't trust Dana.  They give me insider information that supports their POV.

I asked one of my old mates to tell me what his vision of WVU athletics would be.  Big time... or not.

It was interesting... he would rather go cheap... instead of sacrificing what it takes to move up.

I do not want to see my favorite college team playing in the Southern Conference again... 

Is it fear that is affecting some of these fans?  Fear that making such large investments may fail?  Fear that WVU will not be able to compete on a regular basis?  Fear that outsiders will have too much influence on their hopes and dreams?

Nehlen was once an outsider?

There are only so many WV connected coaches and administrators out there... 

I think there is some fear bbwvfan, mostly that as the program continues to grow, some of the down home country kind of fans will be left behind.  I personally want to see WVU excel, on all levels, and that sometimes disenfranchises people.  No doubt things will get more expensive, seats, refreshments, programs and such, and honestly, a greater majority of the families consisting of 4 or more members, just won't be able to attend games on a regular basis.  I am all for the expansion of services, new housing for students, and God only knows that the Evansdale campus has needed the now started upgrades.  I understand that the old Sunnyside area is being transformed even more too.  All of these things enhance the program as a whole.  Without the expansion of the athletic department to become self-sufficient, this master plan wouldn't exist, that much I know.  If I had one wish, it would be to raise the level of pay for the administrative staff, tenured professors and teachers, to a level comparable to other top level schools.  I was mistakenly under the impression that coaches were paid out of the "general" fund, but have learned that they are paid directly from the proceeds of the athletic department, so it is wrong to compare the amount they receive to anything paid non-athletic staff.


Things change, people don't always like change, never have, never will.  But, sitting still for the safety of what was, is a failure to address the future of education and athletics at WVU.  Fear is sometimes an overwelming emotion, time will pass, people will accept the new normal, and real Mountaineers will always exist.  

I asked one of my old mates to tell me what his vision of WVU athletics would be.  Big time... or not.

It was interesting... he would rather go cheap... instead of sacrificing what it takes to move up.

I do not want to see my favorite college team playing in the Southern Conference again... 

And what are their ages BB?  Not to stereotype...  but don't you find that MOST older folk are much more conservative?  And sometimes it's not just the age, but HOW the person was raised.  There ARE a lot of fans (as a guess 25-30%) who think like DAD.  I've just found that most of these fans are older, the nostalgic type, and/or very conservative financially speaking.

It comes down to your way of thinking...  are you "a penny saved is a penny earned" kind of person; or do you believe "You have to spend money to make money"?

I've watched my father and grandfather scrimp and manage to save a couple hundred thousand dollars....   while I've watched others with similar incomes invest their money, take some calculated risks, and make millions. 

I work with people who are very conservative financially and save as much money as they can.  I've invested in real estate for the past 18 years and have been blessed enough to have pretty good success.  I've put in some time, tied up some income for a period of time, and my family has sacrificed in moving from house to house every 3 years, or so.  Yet it seems those "financial conservatives" get mad at me and question how I can "afford" some of the things I have and do.   

I try to tell them it's their money and they can do with it what they wish.  Then I remind them I work just as hard for mine...  and I'll spend mine how I wish.  I offer some investment advice...  and it's up to them to listen or ignore.  Why get mad at me? 

I say all this to make this example;  Oliver is that millionaire investor that has proven success trying to allow his alma mata WVU to cash in on his experience.  DAD is that financial conservative "businessman" that worries about pennies and taking his bologna and peanuts with him wherever he goes, to avoid paying $4 for a hot dog.

These classmates are my age...50. I find it interesting because for years these same fans bitched about being in the BE. Bitched about not getting respect because WVU played in the BE. Now they're citing the increased costs of going to the games. I understand their point, but I had to ask them what type of competition do they want to see come to Morgantown? Do they want the Big Boys? Or do they want to be a mid-major or FCS? The price of what it takes to remain big time is not the fault of Luck. It is a combination of WV's legislature not supporting the WVU athletic department, and the business of college football in the year 2013. It ain't the 80's anymore....

How much have ticket prices raised over the last 4 years?  I am a season ticket buyer, yet I do not remember scratching my head when filling out the check over increased cost....Doesn't seem like it has gone up to much.

This year will be my first as a season ticket holder. I don't know what has changed, I'm told the MAC donation went up.

Yeah they did, but it was not a huge jump....plus many of the old timers were grandfathered in and don't even have to give to the MAC....or at least the whole row behind me says....

Let us not participate in ageism here.  I am in my mid-50's and I support Oliver Luck.  I want to see WVU become a perennial contender.  That takes money.  I am very proud that my University has a self-sufficient athletic dept.  Many schools do not.  But, I am conservative enough that I do not want my school to start acting like ThugU (UM) or OhioS Tats U.  I remember when Don Nehlen came to town.  Yes, he was an outsider.  We welcomed him with open arms.  Not every outsider will become a lifer like Dandy Don has, but I feel that Holgorsen has to do well for the University before he can do well for himself.  I see him a lot like Beiline.  A journeyman who is constantly moving.  I hope Dana decides to stay, but I do not expect it.  But, if he wants to move on up, he has to move our team and University on up first.  Good enough for me. 

blue....i meant oldtimers as far as they have had the seats....lol They have been sitting there forever and told me they do not pay the MAC fees....so my issue is with people who did not pay these fee's when they were lower and now they are raised complain about the fee. 

Anoher issue is this is not a DH or Luck thing, this is what programs around the country are doing to get the facilities, coaches and other resources it takes to run a top notch program on and OFF the field. Whether DH is around for very long or not, this is not going away because this is the business of big time college football.

dc,

I agree that this is the way collegiate athletics work at the highest levels.  I am firmly aligned with those who want to keep us moving to permanent residence among the elite.  I am not fortunate enough to live where I can purchase season tickets and attend all games.  I hope to be able to once I retire. 

I am not fortunate enough to live where I can purchase season tickets and attend all games.

Trust me feel blessed that I can, but if I was purging my budget...so long season tickets...lol

I understand the costs involved in attending games, and find it interesting that these fans are townies. So, their complaints make even less sense to me. I want to set the bar high. I hope our leaders continue down the path chosen.

How much have ticket prices raised over the last 4 years?  I am a season ticket buyer, yet I do not remember scratching my head when filling out the check over increased cost....Doesn't seem like it has gone up to much.

I agree.  There has been a SMALL adjustment since Luck came to town...  approximately $5-10 per ticket in your MAC donation.  But there has also been a seating adjustment to go along with the SMALL bump in price.  Season ticket holders have a few more options on the seating chart.  And of course, the better seats you desire, the more you have to be willing to pay.  I guess it's the "nickel & dime" game DAD speaks of...     But I say if you can afford to put $500 into attending a game for a family of 4, is another $50 going to make or break you?  If it is, should you really be spending the $500 to go?  Maybe the money could be better spent in that situation.

That's like people questioning someone who buys an $80,000 F-650 about gas prices.  Dude, if they can afoord that truck, they can afford the gas! 
 

Let us not participate in ageism here

I'm not far behind you!  I'm just making a point (as a general rule) the older people are, the more conservative they USUALLY are.  There's exceptions to every rule!  I'm more conservative (generally speaking) than those younger than !;  My father is more conservative than I; and his father was more conservative than he is...

When you find those complaining about Luck, it's USUALLY folks over 50...  and gets worse the higher you go up in age.  Not really ageism, just the facts of how people have been raised affecting how they believe.

Dawg.....I am a fan of both Luck and Holgerson.  I know plenty people my age who feel the same way.  I also know many much younger than myself who think little of both men.  Not sure your view of conservatism holds much water outside that of every day life.  But, then again, that is just my conservative view.

You guys are SOOO right,  let's keep raising the ticket prices, maybe NEXT time Oklahoma comes to town, we can have 20,000 empty seats!!!

If the price keeps FANS like you away, please Ollie raise them....

Do fans of Nebraska bitch about the price of their seats?  Do they bitch about being placed on a waiting list?  Is Nebraska a richer state than WV?  A much larger population base?