OSU President Rips ND

[Cackalacky]

Rack'em,
You could have asked me. Although I am a recovering catholic, it is hard to find a catholic church down here.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I think this is at least partly directed towards me. It wasn't my intention to run him off or be a jackass. I was just asking an honest question.

Just wanted to clear that up.

It wasn't primarily directed at you.

You can just tell from the tenor of several responses to him that some of our members are already itching to start a fight. As I mentioned, it's understandable with the recent rash of trolls we've had from rival fan bases. But we don't have to call out every friendly SEC poster on oversigning, graduation rates, etc. The quality of discussion here is improved when a respectful outsider adds his perspective.

And this is one subject we can all agree on. Gee's a boob.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

There is something like $2.2 billion in construction going on right now on campus. I don't even want to look up pictures of the remodeled buildings going on right now.

Gee is raising huge money to spend huge money. He's literally rebuilding the entire campus.

Michigan did the same thing starting in 2008, spending $2.5 billion.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/realestate/commercial/31michigan.html?_r=0

 

[gkIrish]

As someone who just graduated from OSU law I can tell you that Buster's pretty much spot on about Gee's economic/overall value to the University. You guys should cut him some slack. No one is defending Gee's dumba$$ comments but his value is hard to dispute. I would still probably fire him for what he said though.

 

[gkIrish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/mark_schlabach">mark_schlabach</a>: Gordon Gee had more to say about <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23SEC">#SEC</a>, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%23SI">#SI</a>: "It's shameful. It really is."</p>— Gene Wojciechowski (@GenoEspn) <a href="https://twitter.com/GenoEspn/status/340539026022993921">May 31, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>More RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/bfeldmancbs">bfeldmancbs</a> More? RT @<a href="https://twitter.com/cbahn">cbahn</a> Gordon Gee: "Alvarez thought [Bielema] was a thug. He left ahead of the sheriff” <a href="http://t.co/5VboKjY339" title="http://bit.ly/17brR5P">bit.ly/17brR5P</a></p>— Pat Forde (@YahooForde) <a href="https://twitter.com/YahooForde/status/340539479368540160">May 31, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Me2SouthBend]

It alludes to Whiskey's comment about other schools like Michigan improving over the same time period while spending far less on it's president's lavish lifestyle.

Some context is needed. Ohio State is spending billions. I've already posted my response to this months ago, but here goes again:

Starting soon, redoing the entire north campus dorm community:

There is something like $2.2 billion in construction going on right now on campus. I don't even want to look up pictures of the remodeled buildings going on right now.

Gee is raising huge money to spend huge money. He's literally rebuilding the entire campus.[/QUOTE]

What you fail to mention here Buster is that this is a collection of Gordos new houses.

 

[Cackalacky]

Does this guy have an off switch? Sounds like he is stuck at 11.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

It wasn't primarily directed at you.

You can just tell from the tenor of several responses to him that some of our members are already itching to start a fight. As I mentioned, it's understandable with the recent rash of trolls we've had from rival fan bases. But we don't have to call out every friendly SEC poster on oversigning, graduation rates, etc. The quality of discussion here is improved when a respectful outsider adds his perspective.

And this is one subject we can all agree on. Gee's a boob.

Gee's not a Boob. I like Boobs. Bufoon yes, not a boob.

 

[nlroma1o]

Gee's not a Boob. I like Boobs. Bufoon yes, not a boob.

Ahh but surely you dont like ALL boobs? There are some nasty ones out there.

 

[Buster Bluth]

Michigan did the same thing starting in 2008, spending $2.5 billion.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/realestate/commercial/31michigan.html?_r=0

And 1) Michigan is a fantastic school, 2) the next line in that article is: "$2.5 billion, ranking it among the largest university building programs in the United States." which makes what Ohio State/Gee is doing very impressive. I never said what they are doing is the biggest and greatest thing in the country, I've said that it's the biggest and greatest surge in Ohio State history and their climb up various rankings is as good as anyone in the country.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

And 1) Michigan is a fantastic school, 2) the next line in that article is: "$2.5 billion, ranking it among the largest university building programs in the United States." which makes what Ohio State/Gee is doing very impressive.

No one's arguing that OSU's expansion isn't impressive (though whether it's in the best interest of Ohio's students is another question). We're questioning how much credit Gee deserves for it.

For instance, Michigan has apparently seen a similar surge in donations and facility upgrades. Is UM's president publicly lauded (or excused from bad behavior) for being an ace fund-raiser? I've never read anything to that effect. So I'd suggest the success of UM and OSU have a lot more to do with national trends, state pride, advantages inherent to their alumni bases, etc. than to the efforts of individual university administrators like Gee.

 

[NDohio]

And 1) Michigan is a fantastic school, 2) the next line in that article is: "$2.5 billion, ranking it among the largest university building programs in the United States." which makes what Ohio State/Gee is doing very impressive. I never said what they are doing is the biggest and greatest thing in the country, I've said that it's the biggest and greatest surge in Ohio State history and their climb up various rankings is as good as anyone in the country.

I would have to agree that what he is doing is very impressive. My issue with him(outside of his big mouth) are the expenses he has accrued for himself. As a (former) taxpayer in OH I resented the way he took advantage of the fact that he was doing good things and spent lavishly on himself.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Letter from Ohio State’s BOT: one more mistake and Gee could lose his job | CollegeFootballTalk

In a letter obtained by the Columbus Dispatch, two trustees on behalf of the board informed Gee that one more gaff like the one in December and he could lose his job. The letter was signed on March 11.

Though the letter praises Gee as a president, it states “… on occasion your words that may be intended to bring a bit of levity to some significant issue have, in fact, had the opposite effect.”

“Although none of us expects this to be the case, should future instances take place, they could constitute cause for even more punitive action, including dismissal, and the board will have no choice but to take such action,” the letter reads.

 

[NDWorld247]

Just listened to the whole recording. So, Meyer left Florida because he is a man of integrity and the SEC's integrity is shameful. Reading between the lines, him being under attack caused his health to deteriorate...Interesting...

Also, loved this line, "By the way it goes without saying this all has to be speculation that remains right here." Sure thing, Gordo!

 

[gkIrish]

This just sent to me....

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students:

I write today to acknowledge some statements I made last December in a poor attempt at humor. I am deeply sorry for the discomfort I caused, which was wholly unintentional, to members of the Athletic Council and others present in the room at the time of my comments. More broadly, I want to apologize to all who were offended by my remarks, to the University community, and to our entire Ohio State family.

Quite simply, there is no excuse for my comments, which in no way reflect the core values of our University.

Sincerely,

E. Gordon Gee
President

 

[Kanye West]

Just got an email from Gee.

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students:

I write today to acknowledge some statements I made last December in a poor attempt at humor. I am deeply sorry for the discomfort I caused, which was wholly unintentional, to members of the Athletic Council and others present in the room at the time of my comments. More broadly, I want to apologize to all who were offended by my remarks, to the University community, and to our entire Ohio State family.

Quite simply, there is no excuse for my comments, which in no way reflect the core values of our University.

Sincerely,

E. Gordon Gee
President

 

[Rack Em]

Letter from Ohio State’s BOT: one more mistake and Gee could lose his job | CollegeFootballTalk

No ****ing ****? It's an affront to society that dipshits like this maintain high profile jobs despite being colossal asshats. It's almost like O$U is flaunting that their President has been given more passes than any other state employee would have gotten. Bullshit.

 

[ND NYC]

Where is the full transcript of all this?

Has AP provided it?

has Stephen A and Bayless done thir bit on this yet over at the evil empire?

 

[Buster Bluth]

No one's arguing that OSU's expansion isn't impressive (though whether it's in the best interest of Ohio's students is another question). We're questioning how much credit Gee deserves for it.

For instance, Michigan has apparently seen a similar surge in donations and facility upgrades. Is UM's president publicly lauded (or excused from bad behavior) for being an ace fund-raiser? I've never read anything to that effect. So I'd suggest the success of UM and OSU have a lot more to do with national trends, state pride, advantages inherent to their alumni bases, etc. than to the efforts of individual university administrators like Gee.

Well I'll go on record, and perhaps be wrong from forgetting something, but this newest revelation is the first comment from Gee that I consider to be in truly poor taste. The others were harmless in my opinion.

I think the criticisms of his salary and benefits are not illegitimate (I don't 100% agree with them, but they are fair complaints). I'll take a stab and guess they are the result of two main factors, 1) the university is booming, criticisms falls on deaf ears; 2) he left Ohio State in the late 1990s and the President bookended by his terms was a disaster, it probably created a situation in which Gee had a ton of leverage when they were asking him back, wouldn't you think?

Last year $30.3 billion was given to universities, Ohio State accounted for more than $407 million of it. They ranked tenth nationally. It wasn't like that before Gee, so I don't know how you couldn't give him credit. Certainly not 100%--but he is the head honcho. His administrative talents are on clear display here on campus, and his popularity among students and professors alike is a complete 180 from my previous university experience.

Truth be told, as much credit as Gee gets, I have to mention that Gee and Co recruited Michael Eicher away from Johns Hopkins to run their fundraising (for $700k/yr). He previously raised $3.7bil at Johns Hopkins and $3.0bil at UCLA, respectively. But Gee is the CEO of the operation, and things are running smoothly (when he doesn't make his bad jokes--he does make great ones though all the time), so you have to give him credit, at least that's how I see it. Would I be upset if the BOT punished him and made him pay for XYZ...absolutely not. He really ****ed up this time and I think he's one bad joke away from finding a new job.

 

[Booslum31]

I would have to agree that what he is doing is very impressive. My issue with him(outside of his big mouth) are the expenses he has accrued for himself. As a (former) taxpayer in OH I resented the way he took advantage of the fact that he was doing good things and spent lavishly on himself.

As a current tax payor in Ohio I'm not surprised that a State employee with power would "take full advantage" of that power and possibly over-spend in the expense department. It also doesn't surprise me that a guy like this keeps his job after cascades of crap comes out of his pie-hole. He is the face of OSU.

 

[Grahambo]

Well I'll go on record, and perhaps be wrong from forgetting something, but this newest revelation is the first comment from Gee that I consider to be in truly poor taste. The others were harmless in my opinion.

I think the criticisms of his salary and benefits are not illegitimate (I don't 100% agree with them, but they are fair complaints). I'll take a stab and guess they are the result of two main factors, 1) the university is booming, criticisms falls on deaf ears; 2) he left Ohio State in the late 1990s and the President bookended by his terms was a disaster, it probably created a situation in which Gee had a ton of leverage when they were asking him back, wouldn't you think?

Last year $30.3 billion was given to universities, Ohio State accounted for more than $407 million of it. They ranked tenth nationally. It wasn't like that before Gee, so I don't know how you couldn't give him credit. Certainly not 100%--but he is the head honcho. His administrative talents are on clear display here on campus, and his popularity among students and professors alike is a complete 180 from my previous university experience.

Truth be told, as much credit as Gee gets, I have to mention that Gee and Co recruited Michael Eicher away from Johns Hopkins to run their fundraising (for $700k/yr). He previously raised $3.7bil at Johns Hopkins and $3.0bil at UCLA, respectively. But Gee is the CEO of the operation, and things are running smoothly (when he doesn't make his bad jokes--he does make great ones though all the time), so you have to give him credit, at least that's how I see it. Would I be upset if the BOT punished him and made him pay for XYZ...absolutely not. He really ****ed up this time and I think he's one bad joke away from finding a new job.

Truth be told I haven't followed the situation that closely but sounds like he is a guy that should just be seen and not heard.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Tommy's been nothing but class since he started posting here. Many of us are understandably on edge due to recent trolls, but let's not run him off unless he gives us cause.

Thanks Whiskey. I hope I don't offend anyone on here with my posts. I have followed IE for a while and finally decided to join up and post. Not for trolling by no means... more for the content of the conversation about football. As an outsider, some of my opinions may vary with some of the posters here but I do understand that this is an Irish board first and foremost so I will try my best to maintain respect for the Irish fans.

I do believe that Notre Dame still stands for those things that are right with college athletics and in this world of money first that is a hard task to maintain. With all that said, I wish Notre Dame all the success in the world and hope that one day soon the Irish and the Tide can square off again for the title.

 

[Irish YJ]

Thanks Whiskey. I hope I don't offend anyone on here with my posts. I have followed IE for a while and finally decided to join up and post. Not for trolling by no means... more for the content of the conversation about football. As an outsider, some of my opinions may vary with some of the posters here but I do understand that this is an Irish board first and foremost so I will try my best to maintain respect for the Irish fans.

I do believe that Notre Dame still stands for those things that are right with college athletics and in this world of money first that is a hard task to maintain. With all that said, I wish Notre Dame all the success in the world and hope that one day soon the Irish and the Tide can square off again for the title.

We've got some things to work out, but I believe we'll be there in a few years.

PS - Keep it classy 3T. Glad to have you on IE.

 

[Booslum31]

Thanks Whiskey. I hope I don't offend anyone on here with my posts. I have followed IE for a while and finally decided to join up and post. Not for trolling by no means... more for the content of the conversation about football. As an outsider, some of my opinions may vary with some of the posters here but I do understand that this is an Irish board first and foremost so I will try my best to maintain respect for the Irish fans.

I do believe that Notre Dame still stands for those things that are right with college athletics and in this world of money first that is a hard task to maintain. With all that said, I wish Notre Dame all the success in the world and hope that one day soon the Irish and the Tide can square off again for the title.

T Town you have already lasted 17 posts. I'm an Irish fan and I almost got run before I got to 17. I read WAY more than I post. Anyway, I like when folks join from outside the irish faithful and bring opposing views at times. Hope you stick around.

 

[rikkitikki08]

I'm Catholic and i make fun of Catholics like its a part time job, with that being said this guy is a giant douche nozzle

 

[NDohio]

As a current tax payor in Ohio I'm not surprised that a State employee with power would "take full advantage" of that power and possibly over-spend in the expense department. It also doesn't surprise me that a guy like this keeps his job after cascades of crap comes out of his pie-hole. He is the face of OSU.

Not surprised either, but doesn't it bother you? $7.7 Million!?!

 

[Booslum31]

Not surprised either, but doesn't it bother you? $7.7 Million!?!

It pisses me off BIG TIME....Just not surprised. Also, not surprised in this day and age that he played the tired Catholic-Bashing Card to get some chuckles.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Does this guy have an off switch? Sounds like he is stuck at 11.

I approve of this message.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

What a toolbag

 

[ulukinatme]

As someone who just graduated from OSU law I can tell you that Buster's pretty much spot on about Gee's economic/overall value to the University. You guys should cut him some slack. No one is defending Gee's dumba$$ comments but his value is hard to dispute. I would still probably fire him for what he said though.

We may not want to exaggerate Gee's contributions to funding. Someone posted this on an OSU board, it could have some merit:

He's a great fundraiser for a university with a big alumni base that identifies as much with the school as any alumni base in the country. Sorry if I don't anoint the man for being able to pick low-hanging fruit.

OSU does receive large sums of donations, but it's also one of the largest public schools in the country and the alumni identify and back the school very strongly. I'm sure theres other very qualified men and women that could do his job and don't suffer from foot in mouth disease.