UF presidential search is getting underway (U Michigan prez is the sole candidate) update- merged

Any relation to Yoko or with elves?

 

A decade ago I think it would have been unthinkable a Michigan President would leave for Florida (assuming he’s not leaving ahead of a scandal, etc.).

 

+1?

 

My best guess is that he's starting to feel some heat after some major goofs in a state where the politics are quite different. Hard to please both the federal government and his state government right now. So when UF offered him a huge raise and a political environment that'll put a lot less pressure on him, it wasn't a hard choice imo.

He's done some things I don't particularly like, but that was going to be true of any person UF would hire at this point in time. At least he's qualified for the job, a serious academic, and not a Republican politician. Best we could hope for.

 

So now it’s republicans turn?

 

Not sure about the one. Michigan is ripping him as being light weight and not capable for the magnitude of the job. Might be another fail by the board of regents. Sounds like he is going to be a neutered puppy for the next FL Governor.

 

I wonder what his motivation is? Maybe location? Michigan is a peak level university president job. Florida isnt a promotion, it's a lateral move so i assume it is some intangibles. Looks pretty "young" for a school prez (late 50's?) so maybe he'll last a while. Seems very qualified unlike the last goober.

 

Maybe he just thought the job as UF President was a better job than the one he had, or maybe his wife told him she was tired of the Michigan winters. In 1982, I left a job I loved because I could see down the road there was no real future, and I wanted more.

 

I just hope this one doesn't kill another football tradition based on rumors.

Bring back Gator Bait!

 

He's 62 I think - very experienced. Good at fundraising. Understands academia. Honestly, his politics are not the issue - although he appears to be moderate. What we need is an effective LEADER who can manage the shitshow that is our current administration which has been essentially leaderless for 3 years. The chairman of the board has basically been running UF administration for the last 2 years now - and that is NOT a recipe for long-term success - so hopefully this guy can come in, support the admin that needs support, fire the shitty ones, and we can get back to doing business at least at a moderate level of effectiveness.

 

That's the thing. UF wasn't going to get a bold reformer. Best we could hope for is a competent academic who can raise money, fix the dysfunction, and be palatable to the folks in Tallahassee and their allies. Seems like Ono is that. Do I love the guy? No. But we weren't going to hire somebody I would find exciting. I'm just relieved they didn't give the job to one of the Governor's pals.

 

get out of the whitman v trump battle?

no fun being a uni prez these days with all the politics being forced into the system