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Mixed Responses to Baylor University's ProposalOctober 6, 2009
To send your own comments, e-mail BaylorLine@BaylorAlumniAssociation.com.
Of course the
BAA will carefully consider the Regents' proposal and will "respond
fully and faithfully" to it "in a way that is best for Baylor."
However, before that consideration commences, and surely before the
response is formulated, the burden is on the Board of Regents to
explain its request and the urgency of the request—and the two
questions you posed in the same paragraph are the obvious starting
point: Why has the current Board of Regents, under new leadership since
June, taken this 180-degree turn away from its historic support of the
BAA’s independence? And why now? The BAA should take no step of
consequence toward deliberating on or coming to conclusions concerning
this request until the Regents supply the answers to those questions.
Scott Bunton '71
Arlington, Virginia
Will disolving the BAA make null and void our lifetime contracts with the BAA for services, including the Baylor Line magazine?
What are the positives and negatives to making this move for alumni? For Baylor?
As an alumni, I would like to understand the reasonings behind what Baylor has proposed and what the BAA proposes.
Sandy Winham Abernathy '77, MSG '79
Jackson, Tennessee
Please stop the bickering.
Name Withheld
I would like to see the university and the BAA move forward in a united
front. I am an active alumni who attends many university and BAA
events, and I would appreciate a more cohesive relationship instead of
the tension that has been the focus for the past two-plus years.
Jane Johnapelus Munoz '83
Houston
This is heartbreaking.
Lois Williams Ward '66
Salt Springs, Florida
What started all this animosity? This can't be good for Baylor. I guess
I've had my head in the sand, because I had no idea this was going on.
This conflict needs to be settled ASAP so we can all move forward for
the benefit of Baylor.
Thomas H. Davis '75
Bryan
Let me preface my remarks by saying that I am a proud BAA life member and a proud alumnus of Baylor University.
You mention several times that you are going to study this proposal in
your September 22 message, but it's pretty clear to me by the tone of
your message that you have made up your mind.
Isn't it time for this divisiveness to stop? I have no doubt that the
Regents and Interim President Garland may have gone about this proposal
the wrong way, but I believe this note to BAA members may be
counterproductive. As an alumnus, and I don't believe I am alone on
this, I'm pretty fed up with the in-fighting at my alma mater—period.
That being said, I still recognize there are tough decisions to be
made. I ask that you give this proposal an honest look-see and not
prejudge based on history, prior success, or even recent decisions.
Most universities have their alumni association as a department of the
school. I think that the BAA needs to take a hard look at its purpose
and decide what do you want to be?
A) Do you want to maintain our independent voice and continue to
function as a "check and balance" on the Regents and other powers that
be?
OR
B) Do you want to get on board as a cheerleader to support Baylor and its mission?
I think it's very difficult to be both.
Brian McLachlan '07
Alexandria, Virginia
As a young alumni, I do not have the benefit of experiencing the
history between the BAA and Baylor first hand. I have read the timeline
on the BAA website, so I have some knowledge on the background between
the two organizations. That being said, I thought it would be
beneficial to share my perspective as a recent graduate.
I think the combination of the BAA and Baylor makes sense. Both
organizations are striving for the same connection with alumni to
further the mission of Baylor. With pooled resources, the new alumni
association would be more effective in reaching and generating support
among numerous Baylor alumni. The combined association would also be
able to communicate the shared vision of Baylor better. One strong
alumni association, with direct support and input in the university,
would help align the strategic visions that the administration and the
alumni have for Baylor.
I realize that the BAA would be giving up its independent voice in the
direction of Baylor. However, I believe the alumni would still be able
to voice concern and suggestions on the direction of the university and
provide the advice that is crucial to the future success of Baylor. By
being a part of the university, the alumni voice would have
a more direct path to the administration and Board of Regents and as a
result, a larger impact on the guidance of the university. Instead of
viewing the combination as the dissolution of an advisor role for the
alumni, I view the combination as the strengthening of the advisor role
that alumni should, and must, play in the direction of Baylor.
Although I agree with the general idea of combining the BAA with the
university, there are a couple of things I think could be improved with
the proposal. For one, I think the combined magazine should retain the
editorial staff of the Baylor Line.
Given the award-winning status of the magazine, it stands to reason to
maintain the magazine and augment it. The second improvement would be
to increase the representation on the Board of Regents to two
representatives. Given a board the size of the Regents, one voice does
not seem like much of a concession, although I do not know the inner
workings of the Board of Regents. These two items could help improve
the proposal, although I do not see them as non-negotiable.
Once past the immediate reaction that the Board of Regents is simply
trying to silence its critics, I believe the proposal to combine the
BAA with Baylor has some merits. As a young alumni, I would look
forward to future interaction with an integrated alumni association
that is directly aligned with the direction of the university and
provides the advice, support, and guidance of a strong alumni base that
is essential to the future success of Baylor.
Thank you for reading. I look forward to hearing the response from the BAA regarding this proposal from Baylor.
Russell Chance '08
Dallas
After reading all the attached information on the proposal, I see merit
in the proposal to absorb the BAA into Baylor proper, but I also have
nagging doubts about what really underlies the proposal.
Does the Line too often step on toes that perhaps need stepping on? What activities that the Line
now provides would be lost? What kind of dues would be set up to join
the BAA, or would all graduates automatically be members? What happens
to the membership status of those of us who are life members? Would the
combined Line and the Baylor Magazine continue the "Down the Years" and Obituaries, sections I read first when I receive the Line?
I'm not asking you to attempt to answer these questions now, but they
are the kinds of things that BAA members will want to know.
Best wishes as you go through this difficult task.
Billye Freeman Pratt '50
College Station
I write this in response to your request for opinions pertaining to the
Board of Regents’ recent proposal to dissolve the BAA’s charter. At
this point, I cannot say that I am for or against this proposal. I do
believe that independence of the organization is a good thing, and
allows the alumni to better voice opinions as they relate to the
direction of our beloved university. What I do not support is a hasty
decision either way on this issue. I am leery and view with skepticism
the request of someone that does not allow for full evaluation. I think
time is needed to get a clear understanding of who the individuals
making this request are, what their motivation is, and what is truly in
the best interest of the university and the alumni.
Rob Swofford '88
League City
As a first generation, out-of-state alumnus, I don't actually know much of the background on the struggles between Baylor and the BAA. So I consider myself a rather neutral observer even though I get most of my information from the BAA. In theory, I find an independent alumni association a good idea, but I must say that since I have joined the BAA I have noticed a consistently negative, defensive, and partisan approach by the BAA toward the university. I don't doubt there may be very valid reasons for such a tone, but there is no excuse for it. Not once have I heard any statement coming from the university disparaging the BAA or even insinuating as much. I didn't get any notice from the university about its proposal until I received a cordial and concise e-mail this evening, but I've already received two lengthy, inflammatory e-mails from the BAA that I frankly find immature.
I appreciate that the BAA relishes its function as a watchdog, but I'm afraid the association has been consumed by that role to the detriment of its other responsibilities. The BAA has an inferiority complex that is crowding out its better judgment and wasting its independent voice. We should be the change we wish to see in our relationship
with the university, and that starts by cutting out the bickering.
Katie Jo New Wheeler '05
Columbia, Missouri
The BAA’s response strikes me as, “We are doing more research on the proposal we just received, but here’s why we are against it.” I look forward to a more informed response. I had a feeling this would be difficult when I read the first press release from Dr. Garland. Best of luck as you work on a workable solution.
Dale Connally '83, MSEd '84
Waco
I am convinced that the Baylor Alumni Association and Baylor need each other. I think the alumni association is useless without there being a Baylor. Somehow, we need to get past all the disagreements. I do not think I even know what all the disagreements are.
I do not know if this Baylor regents’ proposal to unite is the best way to solve the problem, but it seems better to me than any other choice.
I do not think of the alumni association as being a "watchdog." It does not bother me whether the alumni association is independent or not, but it is important that it reach out to all Baylor graduates. I think the alumni association has done many good things to help Baylor and to help alumni keep in touch with Baylor, but the fighting must stop. It is not good for Baylor. It seems that many people who love Baylor have taken sides and some do not seem to reasonably consider what it is doing to the university. This seems to be true of both the BAA and the Board of Regents.
Baylor needs to be united. We need to stop the infighting and move forward to make Baylor the university that I think we all want it to be.
Tommy '60 and Cynthia Cameron Collier '61
Waco
Thank you for some explanation of the history of the association of BAA with the Baylor Board of Regents and your position of puzzlement as to why they suddenly want to re-associate with us. The issue has been confusing, and I will be listening for further developments. Certainly I hope for the solution to be congenial and helpful to all concerned.
Elizabeth Geer Spain '50
Tyler
As a member of a family with ties to Waco and three generations of Baylor alumni, I must admit that the recent news about Baylor's request of BAA to disband left me exhausted. I was asked by a fellow alum last night what I thought of this, and my honest response to him was, "I'm done."
I have faithfully followed all of the news from Baylor since the day I graduated and signed on as a life member of BAA in 1980. We sent our oldest daughter to Baylor and are still paying off the loan. We kept faithful to Baylor during our daughter's tenure on campus, which included the horrible basketball death incident. I am planning to attend my nursing school's 100th anniversary dinner next week. I bleed green and gold, but I am tired of hearing about the strife. I am skeptical that anyone will ever make everyone happy as president.
My husband (also an alum) will never speak badly of Baylor in public, but do not expect us to spend another ounce of energy fretting about who's paying whose bills, who's making tenure decisions, or who's in charge of Homecoming. We will always love Baylor, we will visit when we can, we will cheer for the teams, but it is becoming part of our past.
Gayle Gayden Wilkins '80
Willow Park
Thank you for the information provided on the BAA website. It is amazing that there appear to be such passionate competing visions of the future for Baylor.
Jim Tudor '81, MBA '85
Allen
My first reaction is, “Why would we want to give up our independent status that allows us to speak freely about our beloved institution?” There is not anything wrong with being independent. Baylor's Board of Trustees felt that way several years ago when they changed to regents, limiting the control of the BGCT. Would they be willing to change and go back to allowing the BGCT to select the regents and once again be under their control?
The second thing I considered was how does this benefit the BAA? Is Baylor wanting the BAA’s endowment? It is clear they want a unified effort in fundraising from the alumni; I get that and understand the rationale. Beyond financial matters, what does Baylor offer the BAA? It does appear their proposal, as presented, would enlarge the reach of the current communication and services provided by BAA—19,000 versus 120,000. I will confess it is somewhat difficult to determine if an event is sponsored by Baylor Network or the BAA. Their proposal would help with the branding of Baylor.
The research presented is overwhelming that Baylor is the only private school that does not have the alumni association under administration of the university. Is that a result of Baylor having an older association than other private schools? Did the other schools begin with the alumni association as part of the institution’s administration? Was Baylor the only one smart enough to have an independent association? I like risk takers and don't mind being different.
I have trust in your ability to make the right decision for the BAA.
Gary Waller '70, EdD '79
Arlington
Just read your email regarding the proposal. You say you are tired of this. The rest of us are, too. It is once again a major embarrassment for the university and the BAA. However, it seems the time you’ve spent on this since September 19 and the apparent time you’re going to spend on another “study” reflects just the opposite feeling. You just addressed this issue two years ago and over 80 percent of the members made it clear we want the BAA to be independent. Why do you keep playing this game? You’re acting like the BAA is not independent. Apparently Baylor can usurp the agenda for board meetings, force you to do “studies” whenever they want, etc. Just say, “No, BAA members want an independent association,” and move on to something productive. Don’t waste time and money studying, surveying, etc. Act like you are the leaders of an independent entity.
Louis “Bud” Esserman '74
Tampa, Florida
I am saddened by this new controversy at Baylor. It follows too many divisive years, which have caused confusion and ill feelings among alumni, faculty, staff, and interested people in Waco and elsewhere. Of course, I do not know the motives behind the reasons given for the urgency of the regents and administration to make this historic change to the alumni association , but I have been around Baylor long enough to guess at some of it.
Whatever the underlying issues, I can't see why a measured, carefully thought-out response from the BAA board wouldn't be helpful. To dissolve an organization of 150 years is certainly not a decision to be taken hastily. Therefore, I urge the BAA board to proceed with the study and resulting response in a deliberate way. Thank you for the work you have done already and for keeping the membership informed.
Norma Palmer Cannata '56
Waco
I am not close enough to the many and varied alumni issues to comment intelligently on the rightness or wrongness of bringing alumni functions under university management. I note that Dr. Garland, in his e-mail, makes a point that Baylor is the only private university in the nation with a separate, independent alumni association. That is an interesting finding and may have importance in the discussion, but this fact alone may or may not speak in favor of bringing Baylor alumni functions under university management.
I am writing because I am sorely distressed with the way this entire process is being presented to the Baylor family, to the alumni, and to the public. It reminds me of two children bickering while they play ball and one of the children picks up his ball and exclaims, "I am taking my ball and going home!" It is silly, immature, and divisive. It is driving a wedge between alumni and the university we believe in. This bickering is non-productive and has been going on for too long.
Please evaluate the true facts, assess the pros and cons, and come to a logical and amicable solution. Put this behind us, along with the many other issues facing the university, and let's move forward.
Charles F. Massler Jr. '70
Winston Salem, North Carolina
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