Arkansas Blog

I think it's cute how Sue thinks the UA is at all concerned about "education". That land would either go to 1) expansion of the Razorback Tailgating Experience (TM, Patent Pending), 2) allowing the Waltons and Tysons to build more monuments to themselves or 3) further upscale student housing to provide that "college experience".

The Senator's letter is on the mark. Added thoughts for UA Board and those who may wish to write their own letters:

Value of the 40-acre property (land only): $4-6 million. Assessed value of the buildings is more, but - for what? - a structure deemed technologically inadequate for a public high school. UA will pay top dollar for a facility it cannot use w/o significant additional investment?

Current space utilization on campus (2008 study by facilities management): 20%; peer institutions do not build or expand unless at 60-70%. That's where UA will be in about 40 years ... let them negotiate then.

Current bond-indebtedness by the university = $312 million; annual payments about $35 million ... very nearly the size of the Fulbright College annual budget.

Likely fee increase to students to fund the $59 million price tag: at least $9 per credit hour (though may start smaller and climb after four years ... hmmm) - $1100 tax on every UA student for the life of the bond. Should the good people of Dumas subsidize a new high school for Fayetteville?

Likilihood of passed millage (the district will still need at least four mills), particularly at new location and in the current economic climate? Slim. (2005 millage - for teacher pay and technology upgrades - failed 61-39.)

So: all the risk to UA - of alienating the legislature, students, faculty, and staff - with a low probability of ending up with the property.

Can't blame them for looking, but can blame them if they don't ultimately say "no thanks ... not at that price."

Both the UA and the Fayetteville School Board are also decreeing that they are buying Hummers for all staff fleets, and requiring Hummer ownership for all students, faculty and staff. UA BOT member Johnny Tyson said, "there is just too much money not to waste as much as possible," and Fayetteville School Superintendent Bobby New quipped, "we'll show those self-interested special interest groups who vote down our millage increases that the courts can force a millage increase if we can just demonstrate enough want."

Let's see here....the State School System wants to purchase land from the Local School System.

How does this work? I guess I'm not familiar with the way the establishment is established, but does it not seem as though the UofA is unaccountable? Board of Trustees - appointed by? Removable by? Balanced budgets required by?

Further, how does the local populace, who may not agree with the UofA (or other University for that matter) incite or show a lack of cooperative spirit with the locals?