I hate the Ducks. Always have, always will... and this interview doesn't improve things. So the Schmucks think they did OSU a "non-trivial" favor by scheduling us in football? Gimme a break. We're doing them a favor by saving them a flight to East Piscataway. AND I guarantee you that it will be their biggest TV audience of the season. Sheesh.
John, I appreciate your interview with Scholz. I thought many of your questions were insightful and revealing...frankly, to be completely honest, the early ones were niceties with very little substance but allowed Scholz to get comfortable.
Regardless, I came away continuing to believe Scholz is a backslapping, smiling bullshitter. He lied on that Thursday evening before the "Fateful Friday" when he gave his colleagues (and his own AD) the signal that he was going to approve and sign the Apple deal and Oregon would remain in the Pac-12. He lied. He also didn't have the courage to personally participate in the conference call the next morning and announce he's changed his mind and offer the reasons.
I'm an Oregon fan. Always have been. Former football season ticketholder until I left the state. Until Scholz's antics, a donor. However, Scholz's deplorable behavior has created an atmosphere where I would advise no one to ever trust this guy. Ever.
I also have complete empathy for Oregon State and their alums and fans who will never trust their relationship with Oregon again. Never. And justifiably so. What Oregon (Scholz) did was equivalent to the back-stabbing behavior of Washington when they aligned themselves with the California schools in 1959 and kicked Oregon, OSU and Washington State out of the Pac-12 (then called the Pacific Coast Conference). Not to mention Washington's despicable behavior in the 1949 Rose Bowl voting, also stabbing Oregon in the back. My level of bile for everything Washington is immeasurable - they've earned their reputation as totally untrustworthy - they're elite at playing games with the truth. Now, Oregon State and Washington State rightfully have the same bitterness towards Oregon...because one guy - Scholz - lied to them (and Utah, ASU and Arizona) because he believes Oregon's reputation and academic reputation is enhanced by simple proximity to the Big Ten - where he made his living for 35 years.
This may all turn out just fine for Oregon over time. Maybe the athletics will improve, maybe more students will have access to and use the Big Ten's "Big Library" (I hope the sarcasm comes through right about here) and maybe eventually Oregon's athletic department has a better revenue stream benefitting the entire institution. Maybe.
However, whatever happens in the future, Scholz's legacy and reputation will forever be trashed because of his despicable behavior and complete untrustworthiness in August of last year.
As for recovering his personal integrity, as Scholz would say, that's a long, long, long, long, long way off.
If I were him I wouldn't comment on the last minute breakup of the Pac-12 either. It's an ugly story and people will only snipe at him...and for good reason.
"Your campus has exploded with growth and new buildings."
There's a straight line from this to the student debt crisis in this country. EVERY campus in the country is experiencing similar growth. They're ALL funding it the same way. It's unconscionable.
Good job getting the interview, John, and I loved your questions. Some observations I have:
1. Scholz really, really loves to repeat words like very, very and so on.
2. I never noticed before that Phil Knight wears a UO "Staff" badge at games. Telling.
3. Interesting how Scholz refused to talk about any of those literal middle-of-the-night discussions he had about leaving the Pac-12.
4. Scholz looks a lot chippier than when I saw him in person at our state capitol, when he and his people ripped out of the room in front of Jayathi Murthy so they wouldn't have to hear her speak.
Incredible insight and clarity, John. Amazing piece of work. I had no real opinion regarding President Scholz as I didn't really know anything about him.l. Your interview was excellent, you went right after the important questions in a respectful way, and he answered in the same way, particularly given the sensitivity of his position in this ever shifting environment. I came away both impressed with your work (which we regularly see) and very impressed with President Scholz. For those who may be handicapped by their bias, I would suggest they view President Scholz's comments, answer and opinions in the context of the conclusion of your interview: "- think the best of people until proven otherwise." Well played, John, well played. Charlie
John, you did a good job asking the questions that needed to be asked. Scholz did not have to grant an interview, but he did. Like most university leaders, he answered a lot of the questions from an altitude of about 38,000 feet. And what he didn’t want to talk about was the subject many of us are hungry to know more. That’s his political orientation and right, whether I like it or not.
Great interview John. Thanks for bringing to the forefront some questions I had. Kudos on the first interview with the Prez. Seems like he’s tuned into all the important aspects of U of O, Oregon and the PNW.
I'm an Oregon Alum, architect, huge Oregon football fan. I would like a new emphasis to be placed on improved curriculum and the University's status as an institution. Can you ask the powers at be to concentrate on that idea please?
Well John...You and I had a private conversation, about a conversation I had with The Prez. I see you asked him every which way to clarify that, but no straight answer...Just "I'd rather not say" Wow very aloof....Nice try. Go Ducks!
Too bad you couldn’t grab a few minutes with Dean Wormer to get the real lowdown on the goings on at Faber….oh, and “I find Milton as boring as you do.”
I hate the Ducks. Always have, always will... and this interview doesn't improve things. So the Schmucks think they did OSU a "non-trivial" favor by scheduling us in football? Gimme a break. We're doing them a favor by saving them a flight to East Piscataway. AND I guarantee you that it will be their biggest TV audience of the season. Sheesh.
John, I appreciate your interview with Scholz. I thought many of your questions were insightful and revealing...frankly, to be completely honest, the early ones were niceties with very little substance but allowed Scholz to get comfortable.
Regardless, I came away continuing to believe Scholz is a backslapping, smiling bullshitter. He lied on that Thursday evening before the "Fateful Friday" when he gave his colleagues (and his own AD) the signal that he was going to approve and sign the Apple deal and Oregon would remain in the Pac-12. He lied. He also didn't have the courage to personally participate in the conference call the next morning and announce he's changed his mind and offer the reasons.
I'm an Oregon fan. Always have been. Former football season ticketholder until I left the state. Until Scholz's antics, a donor. However, Scholz's deplorable behavior has created an atmosphere where I would advise no one to ever trust this guy. Ever.
I also have complete empathy for Oregon State and their alums and fans who will never trust their relationship with Oregon again. Never. And justifiably so. What Oregon (Scholz) did was equivalent to the back-stabbing behavior of Washington when they aligned themselves with the California schools in 1959 and kicked Oregon, OSU and Washington State out of the Pac-12 (then called the Pacific Coast Conference). Not to mention Washington's despicable behavior in the 1949 Rose Bowl voting, also stabbing Oregon in the back. My level of bile for everything Washington is immeasurable - they've earned their reputation as totally untrustworthy - they're elite at playing games with the truth. Now, Oregon State and Washington State rightfully have the same bitterness towards Oregon...because one guy - Scholz - lied to them (and Utah, ASU and Arizona) because he believes Oregon's reputation and academic reputation is enhanced by simple proximity to the Big Ten - where he made his living for 35 years.
This may all turn out just fine for Oregon over time. Maybe the athletics will improve, maybe more students will have access to and use the Big Ten's "Big Library" (I hope the sarcasm comes through right about here) and maybe eventually Oregon's athletic department has a better revenue stream benefitting the entire institution. Maybe.
However, whatever happens in the future, Scholz's legacy and reputation will forever be trashed because of his despicable behavior and complete untrustworthiness in August of last year.
As for recovering his personal integrity, as Scholz would say, that's a long, long, long, long, long way off.
If I were him I wouldn't comment on the last minute breakup of the Pac-12 either. It's an ugly story and people will only snipe at him...and for good reason.
"Your campus has exploded with growth and new buildings."
There's a straight line from this to the student debt crisis in this country. EVERY campus in the country is experiencing similar growth. They're ALL funding it the same way. It's unconscionable.
Good job getting the interview, John, and I loved your questions. Some observations I have:
1. Scholz really, really loves to repeat words like very, very and so on.
2. I never noticed before that Phil Knight wears a UO "Staff" badge at games. Telling.
3. Interesting how Scholz refused to talk about any of those literal middle-of-the-night discussions he had about leaving the Pac-12.
4. Scholz looks a lot chippier than when I saw him in person at our state capitol, when he and his people ripped out of the room in front of Jayathi Murthy so they wouldn't have to hear her speak.
Two things.
First, he can sit behind home plate at Ducks baseball game anytime he wants. In fact, anyone can with all of the empty seats.
Second, I would have asked what it is like going to a university that sold it's academic soul to athletics (football).
Incredible insight and clarity, John. Amazing piece of work. I had no real opinion regarding President Scholz as I didn't really know anything about him.l. Your interview was excellent, you went right after the important questions in a respectful way, and he answered in the same way, particularly given the sensitivity of his position in this ever shifting environment. I came away both impressed with your work (which we regularly see) and very impressed with President Scholz. For those who may be handicapped by their bias, I would suggest they view President Scholz's comments, answer and opinions in the context of the conclusion of your interview: "- think the best of people until proven otherwise." Well played, John, well played. Charlie
You asked a guy who has spent his whole life in academia a question about business and expected a straight answer. John, you are funny.
John, you did a good job asking the questions that needed to be asked. Scholz did not have to grant an interview, but he did. Like most university leaders, he answered a lot of the questions from an altitude of about 38,000 feet. And what he didn’t want to talk about was the subject many of us are hungry to know more. That’s his political orientation and right, whether I like it or not.
Good job, man.
Great interview John. Thanks for bringing to the forefront some questions I had. Kudos on the first interview with the Prez. Seems like he’s tuned into all the important aspects of U of O, Oregon and the PNW.
I'm an Oregon Alum, architect, huge Oregon football fan. I would like a new emphasis to be placed on improved curriculum and the University's status as an institution. Can you ask the powers at be to concentrate on that idea please?
Well John...You and I had a private conversation, about a conversation I had with The Prez. I see you asked him every which way to clarify that, but no straight answer...Just "I'd rather not say" Wow very aloof....Nice try. Go Ducks!
Too bad you couldn’t grab a few minutes with Dean Wormer to get the real lowdown on the goings on at Faber….oh, and “I find Milton as boring as you do.”
Thanks John, great interview! My favorite quote: “Did you know they filmed a scene from ‘Animal House’ in this room? Too funny.
Nice interview John; thanks for sharing the insights and for asking some nagging questions! Well done.
Excellent interview. Answered the right questions and moved forward