Breaking ground were (l-r) nursing division chair Joan Cranford, president Dr. Larry Weill and Rep. John Yates. (Photo: Walter Geiger)
Ground broken for Gordon NAH building
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on the Gordon College campus Friday morning for the new $16 million Nursing & Allied Health building.
Lamar County is fortunate to have Gordon and I appreciate them and all that they do.
As a Gordon grad, it makes me proud every time I ride by the campus. I've attended four different colleges in Georgia, and Gordon by far is my favorite, and not just because I live here. Congrats to Gordon and its outstanding nursing department!
I tend to go by the standard of 'you get what you pay for...' - old school, I know.
Building projects are usually funded from bond issues, and personnel costs come from cash flow. I suppose the Board of Regents could order to a halt to all construction projects, but that money could not be used for payroll.
I suspect that at least for some colleges in the university system, the furloughs are a political rather than a fiscal necessity. The state legislature has had an attitude about college professors for a while. They do not get step increases in salary the way public school teachers and state employees do, and the avergae merit raise (i.e., total raise) during the Perdue administration is hovering around 2 percent per year. This year is the second of eight with no raises at all. Take-home pay has actually decreased over the past couple of years because of the increase in the employee health insurance contribution and furloughs.
Building projects create jobs while cost of living raises do not. Clearly, however, the Perdue administration is continuing its long-term project to gut the university system. Georgia now ranks very low in the southeast. Many Gordon college instructors already make quite a bit less than their counterparts elsewhere.
Gordon College is a real blessing to Barnesville, and quite frankly, it is a wonderful place to work in spite of the way it has been hobbled by the state government.
Enrollment-up
Tuition-up
Faculty/staff pay- down
Building projects- out of control
The theory is- if you build it, they will come, but what if you can't afford to staff it, or for the up-keep, etc.? Plus, they can't afford what they already have...
Then, they raise tuition..vicious cycle! Our state has created the perfect educational financial storm.
Who will be able to attend these state-of-the-art facilities? Mostly those who depend on the government to pay (until it runs out of $)
Will quality nursing instructors want to teach at them with the threat of being furlowed or cut? They will probably get jobs at teaching hospitals and universities.
Who do furloughs hurt? The ones making the 19,000 a year (or less).
Your happy family is one small piece of the puzzle. And, if the systemic issues aren't addressed and corrected, could make the puzzle fall apart!
But, if the happy family goes along with systemic issues without protest (public and privite) then don't you become part of the problem?
I mean, at some point, don't you all join hands and sing Kum by yah- Then, "they" (where do you think the $ comes from?) build you a new 16 million dollar building and you all keep quiet about the trouble that lies beneath - like "are we gonna' be able to staff the darn thing and pay quality instructors without the risk of furloughs, upping the tuition so that only people who have gotten government grants can attend?" - The devil is in the details.
Can I ask a question? Who pays for doing things like moving a sidewalk two feet or lowering a brick wall
It's a state institution, so doesn't the state pay for it? If so, that's not real money, now is it? Bonds for building projects, free dorms, free nursing buildings- administrators' salaries-six figures, before you know it we'll just be printing money!
What 'cha gonna do when the well run dry?
People teach at Gordon College because they believe in the mission. They also build lives in the community, and many are strong advocates for solutions to the systemic problems of the university system. I think someone can love his or her work and still advocate for change. There is no "part of the solution or part of the problem" dilemma. Many are simply powerless.
In the long run, continued pay cuts will hurt the entire university system because it will not be able to attract and retain quality faculty. That is the issue that the legislature and the governor must face. But the community or family of Gordon College and its leadership are strong. I do not think cynicism is likely to produce a solution.
As for the solution or problem dilemma...
You were the one who brought the legislative issues and the university system's problems with government.
Sounds like a problem that really requires a solution to me. (vote much?)
When many speak their power grows...
When many sit on their a** the power slows.
Power to the people!
Cynicism and realism are two different things- I'm a realist.
I'm guessing that you're a Gordon administrator. (please correct me if I'm wrong)
Build the building even if we will "not be able to attract and retain quality faculty." The quotes come from your comment, by the way.
Don't call me a cynic...
Because we learn from the past..
Bet your history departmant will be ticked @ your comment. Or do they love, love, love you too much? (hearts)
My finger also pointed toward a 16 million dollar building, funding issues, legislative issues, staffing issues, not just being yes men (or women) and patting one another on the back. I like the Kum by yah comment made by youcanluvit...
Funny, you didn't respond to the remainder of my comments.
Particularly the one about your being part of the Gordon College administration.
Not that there's anything wrong with that....
Just makes you more likely to defend out of control spending and the exorbatant salaries of the administration.
www.open.ga.gov
Where are you guys going that you can make in the neighborhood of 100,000 (give 60 thousand or take a few thousand) and still need $5,000-$6,000+ in travel expences? Administrators Camp?-Kum By yah! Does real money pay for that or is it just the money you're printing on campus?
I don't like him, but I hope Sonny Boy can put a stop to that!!
I guess you realize that the USG schools are state supported but 100% of their operations are not funded by state dollars. In fact smaller and smaller percentages of operations are. At some of the larger institutions the percentage of state dollars for support is very small--that is why some public universities in some states have considered separating from the states so they don't have to deal with politics.
Those more than 4,500 students who are at Gordon are paying tuition (or some have financial aid either federal, state (HOPE), or private funding) but they are paying tuition dollars that provide funds to the College. It just isn't as simple as some seem to indicate.
The Governor mandated all state employees take furlough days so state employees will take them even if their agency had a plan to provide services within reduced budgets. Furloughs mean people reduce their days, but it does not mean canceling classes or reducing services to students. No buildings or programs will be unstaffed. The nurses are moving from Smith Hall. It was built in 1939 under Franklin Roosevelt.....and it isn't built or configured to meet the demands of today's nursing education program. The nursing program is excellent -- just imagine what this faculty and program can do to address Georgia's healthcare shortage with this new facility.
Funding decisions for projects such as these were made years ago to address a state and countrywide shortage of medical personnel. That same shortage still exists and funds have already been designated, funds which by law cannot be shifted on a whim. Further, funds will be available for instruction in areas in which demands for graduates are so high. But I suppose you will run for office so we can vote for you to stop all funding to nursing related programs, as that seems to be your goal, right?
So there are three salaries at Gordon in six figures. And when you compare the salaries to the balance of the state, Gordon falls low or to the middle and these are out of control?
And I suppose it is obvious that the right way to grow an institution is to sit in your office and never take one step out. One should never attend state conferences or seek out continuing education opportunities or seminars. Traveling to seek out potential donors or contributors would be terrible as we should not expect anything but tax money to fund our state schools, right? I work in the private sector and this is not a good year, but I expect to spend as much as any of them on travel this year - except I don't have to be accountable for tracking it all so neatly. And, I don't think much of my travel will lead to funding for my company, state funds or private donations.
Maybe you should spent the rest of your days hanging out in the tunnel. The kids will probably wave at you as they pass by.
Sorry folks with reasonable posts - this one isn't aimed at you.
But feel free to be attacked and insulted by the ranting! It's more fun if we all get angry.