on 3/12/2023, 12:51 pm, in reply to "Re: Unfortunately, it's too little too late I think"
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I have met Dr Conoley. I believe she is a nice person. I think she is working in a difficult environment. I do know she has been good on raising money for Athletics infrastructure.
But, I also think so many of the things she has done here have made the challenges she faces more difficult. LB has been at the forefront of stupid on Covid. When other California Universities went back to school, we waited. When we did go back, and other schools made masking voluntary, I believe we were the last school to keep it mandatory. Despite a return to normal for much of the country and the world, we continue to spend inordinate amounts to hold our graduation in Anaheim stadium, instead of on campus. Students will again not get to cross the stage, a long term tradition. While we are desperate for donors to fund our programs, she has alienated many of them with the ditching of traditions like Pete and the 49ers. She reportedly told some donors she would change the University name to officially and always be Long Beach State University, but abandoned the idea at the first blush of faculty kickback. She redirected the University from a push for excellence in the form of programs like the Presidents Scholars to instead being more accessible and diverse, despite the fact we are already one of the most accessible and diverse Universities in the country.
I do not hate Jane as I think some here do, I do think that given the leadership at the CSU head office there is reason to believe they could find someone even worse for the University. But, I simply see her as a huge step-down from the last two Presidents (Maxson and King Alexander). FWIW, I don't think this specifically as regarding athletics (Maxson was not particularly good for athletics, but in my opinion was great for the University). I am hopeful when she retires we can find better leadership, I am unfortunately not at all confident that will happen.