Facilities

[VUGrad1314]

Great discussion. As a graduate, it does worry me. Idk the state of financial affairs at Valpo and will not claim to...but, it does concern me. I wonder if they've done any analysis on how the increase in online programs elsewhere is impacting Valpo. Idk just wondering. Given how much they advertise ivy tech, they've gotta be willing to take the money they can get at this point - knowing they'd lose out on the first 2 years if a student transfers in from ivy tech with an associates degree. It's just a new era. Without state funding or something that really sets you apart as a private school or big time donors, idk what the future holds. Scary times for sure. I worry the law school shutting down is a major red flag. I hope it's not but do sincerely wonder. What's next? Idk but I sure love VU.

We HAVE something that sets us apart... Name a more prominent Lutheran Institution. How do we become a Lutheran BYU\ND while remaining relevant and accessible to all? ND and to a lesser extent BYU seems to have that formula while remaining unapologetically Catholic\Mormon. How can we do this? It seems to me basketball is the main\only vehicle meaning that  we're substantially  on the right track. But how do we improve\speed up the process and find additional channels to aid us?

[valpospartan]

While larger improvements such as seating,  concession stands, restrooms are understandably more ambitious projects, I still cannot understand why the scoreboards are not in sync....players currently in the lineup are usually never correct and late in being posted, on whom a foul was called, points are also usually not correct.   A few years ago I mentioned this to MLB and he acted like he was unaware of the problem.  He said that those type of problems should be corrected with the new board.  However they have never been corrected.  Whether it is a system problem or poor operators of the system, these problems should be addressed and corrected immediately.  The scoreboard at the west end of the ARC often has info posted before it ever gets to the big, overhead board.  One would think that the info should appear on all the boards at the same time.  Who is in charge?    Let's get it corrected.

Couple this situation with the pathetic PA system and you have a less than good experience at the ARC. 

[crusadermoe]

VUGRAD 1314,  you have a passion and vision.   I like seeing it!!!   There was once a president of VU named OP Kretzmann who could inspire you to think we could become that Lutheran version of Notre Dame/BYU/Baylor..... and be Athens and Jerusalem...."see light in THY light."   Maybe you knew that.

But OPK did not raise any endowment savings and the dorms and buildings fell way behind other universities in the years under his successors. 

Harre raised cash to build the library and union at a total cost over $75 million without taking out debt.  Heckler decided to take out debt to add more buildings. You have heard about the debt and finance issues now.  Students now pay those bonds indirectly.

The boards under both H & H chose not to invest real money in athletics.  I have heard that the faculty was angry that the ARC got built in 1984 by Pres. Schnabel before building any new academic facilities.  (I think the whole ARC only cost $7-8 million total.)   

[VUGrad1314]

Passion I have but vision I lack. Had I a vision I would know the steps to create an actionable plan to get us there instead of just posting vague questions on a message board. Pray we win some tournament games or start an athletics-focused donation drive are not great solutions but they're the best I've got. Maybe the Vanderbilt game would be a good place to kick this off. Draw up a specific plan for what we want\need built and an estimated goal for what it will all cost. Set up people to take donations at the game and each game thereafter or have people phone in donations. Maybe have a reward system as follows:

$1 Free soda popcorn pretzel cookie or candy (choice of 1)

$5 Free upper bleacher ticket to  future MBB game AND free food item of choice OR free entry to other VU ticketed event (womens basketball  volleyball or football)

$10: Free  upper bleacher ticket to future MBB game,  AND Free entry to other VU ticketed event OR free lower bleacher ticket to future MBB game

$15: Free lower bleacher ticket to future MBB game AND $5 food voucher OR Free entry to other VU Ticketed event

$20: Free lower bleacher ticket to future MBB game AND $5 food voucher AND  Free entry to other VU Ticketed event  OR 2 Free Bleacher seats to future game

$25: Free Chairback Seat to Future Game OR 2 free bleacher seats + $5 food voucher

$30:  Free Chairback Seat to Future Game AND $5 food  voucher OR 2 free bleacher seats + 2 $5 food vouchers AND Free admission to future event

$35: Free Chairback seat to future  game AND $5 food voucher AND Free entry to future  VU  Ticketed event  OR Bleacher Seats to the  mini pack of your choice

Etc. With bigger rewards for higher donations...

I don't know just a roughly hewn out idea that the community may like and support that isn't too costly for Valpo and may build fan support. Maybe the rewards\prizes need to be better. I don't know.

[crusader05]

I just wanted to step in and say that the debt is not was is causing financial concerns. This is not necessarily a strange thing for smaller universities to go through. The university has had tougher times before and it is always painful but it doesn't not often indicate large concern for the future.
Valpo is large enough and stable enough to survive tougher financial times than many smaller schools and has a much more stable financial future than many smaller schools.
Indiana has a lot of colleges, while the amount of students who are available in the midwest is shrinking. There is going to be some tough times and some realignment. I have heard that other schools, such as DePauw are going through even more difficult circumstances. The university is still moving forward with looking for funds for the ARC renovation and looking to the future even as they adjust for present day concerns.

[valpo84]

VUGRAD1314 -- I would suggest that you give John Kuka a call in the VU Giving office.  John has responsibilities for Athletics Fundraising.  Great guy and would suggest you have a discussion with him about your concerns and your ideas.  Remember, we have a small school and our administration officials are readily available to discuss questions and issues that you may have.  That's how I started being involved many (many) years ago -- cold called Tom Smith's office (another story for another day), then Homer's with ideas for alumni events at road games.  Yes, there's more structure and more people in the administration today, but VU still relies heavily on its volunteer base -- VAN (admission network), alumni board, alumni events, guild, etc.  Activate your passion constructively.  The University needs to develop an involved and hopefully giving alumni base from the many years now of hoops success.  You can become a member of the Crusader Club (online probably) with a reasonable donation and receive certain benefits.   

[oklahomamick]

Universities who have experienced success in athletics usually increase in enrollment.  See Butler....Increasing Enrollment is a goal for VU.  Having a proud and successful athletic program with good facilities is a way to do it. 

[usc4valpo]

Gonzaga is another great example - the school was really hurting and is now doing well, coincidently at the same time as the basketball program improved.

[vu72]

I just wanted to step in and say that the debt is not was is causing financial concerns. This is not necessarily a strange thing for smaller universities to go through. The university has had tougher times before and it is always painful but it doesn't not often indicate large concern for the future.
Valpo is large enough and stable enough to survive tougher financial times than many smaller schools and has a much more stable financial future than many smaller schools.
Indiana has a lot of colleges, while the amount of students who are available in the midwest is shrinking. There is going to be some tough times and some realignment. I have heard that other schools, such as DePauw are going through even more difficult circumstances. The university is still moving forward with looking for funds for the ARC renovation and looking to the future even as they adjust for present day concerns.

Yep. 67 four year colleges.

https://www.free-4u.com/Colleges/Indiana-Colleges.html

[usc4valpo]

If Valpo is truly strapped for cash, this is a big concern for me as my daughters are pursuing where they want to go for college. One wants to go into education and is looking into Iowa state schools plus NW Missouri St. The other is very smart analytically and thinking about Cornell, Northwestern, Iowa State, Rice and Stanford.

I love Valpo, but I need to support my daughters on what is best for their needs and their future.

[vuny98]

If Valpo is truly strapped for cash, this is a big concern for me as my daughters are pursuing where they want to go for college. One wants to go into education and is looking into Iowa state schools plus NW Missouri St. The other is very smart analytically and thinking about Cornell, Northwestern, Iowa State, Rice and Stanford. I love Valpo, but I need to support my daughters on what is best for their needs and their future.

My 100% uneducated assumption...

Valpo is in no worse situation than most colleges across the country. There are headwinds affecting all colleges and being a fiscally conservative administration, Valpo is reacting to it as they should by not over spending and by making sure they are right sized for future success (i.e. dumping law school, cutting some non essential faculty, etc.). I would argue being too conservative with funds can be as damaging as too loose in the long term, but aside from some talking points, I see no reason to believe Valpo is really hurting. Again, 100% uninformed assumption, and I could be very wrong...

[crusader05]

Yeah this whole financial restraint just means there's not a lot of extra money in annual budgets to go around and that focus is on student retention and enrollment.

This is not a "valpo is going bankrupt, won't be around the sky is falling" situation

It's some things in the college landscape are changing and some adjustments and reallocation of money need to be made and it's not fun but necessary for future stability and growth"

[vu72]

If Valpo is truly strapped for cash, this is a big concern for me as my daughters are pursuing where they want to go for college. One wants to go into education and is looking into Iowa state schools plus NW Missouri St. The other is very smart analytically and thinking about Cornell, Northwestern, Iowa State, Rice and Stanford.

I love Valpo, but I need to support my daughters on what is best for their needs and their future.

I have no doubt that the quality of the education offered by Valpo is on par with the private schools you mentioned.  As for the Iowa state schools, as with all other state schools, there is little that would compare to a Valpo education particularly given the access to professors, a truly caring environment, and all professor taught classes.  I would also suggest that they at least apply.  My granddaughter just was accepted and received a very attractive scholarship offer.  I think when you compare the net cost of Valpo to state schools you will find them to very close to each other.

[usc4valpo]

Not sure I agree 72 regarding the private schools. Academically they are rated much higher, students have significantly higher test scores,  have wealthy donors and not strapped for funding. As for the Iowa schools for an education degree, they are rated high, particularly UNI.

[bigmosmithfan1]

A little forward thinking and creative investment by both the university and the city could make Valpo the entertainment hub of NWI. Picture a new arena on the old Porter Memorial property. Public/private partnership. Say, 6,000-ish seats. Still an on-campus arena, but also allows the city to fill the void for concerts and other events left behind when the Star Plaza closed. Could put Valpo in the running for mid-sized conventions and trade shows. Will spur additional development to complete the economic rebirth of the east Lincolnway corridor. Would have dozens of dining/nightlife options within walking distance. A win for everyone.

[crusader05]

The university is definitely looking into private partnerships including for I believe bringing a bar close to campus and maybe even a small event space. But a big entertainment venue is a no go. Star Plaza is gone partly because it couldn't compete with the Casinos which have large venue space bring in larger stars.

Valpo, sandwiched between the east chicago and new buffalo casinos would fare no better.

I would like to see t hem lease and or sell some of their land to bring restaurants or services closer to the campus. A place for fraternities or sororities to host events and a bar close to campus that is not as trashy as duffy's but not as small and unaffordable as those down town would be really helpful

[usc4valpo]

MIT had a bar on campus - the Muddy Charles, and at the end of a quarter, the professor invited us there for some Sams and Harpoon beer. What a concept!

[bigmosmithfan1]

Valpo, sandwiched between the east chicago and new buffalo casinos would fare no better.

The casinos are 21+ only and can only host large club and small theatre-level acts. An arena would be booking a different level of shows and events that the casinos don't have the capacity to touch, and an arena would be able to host all-ages events. And Valpo is perfectly situated. An hour-plus from Chicago with more than three-quarters of a million people to draw from within a 25 mile radius. Plenty of promoters would be very interested in that for touring acts.

[FieldGoodie05]

What are the Top 3 reasons I keep hearing our gym compared to a high school gym?

Is the fact it's not dedicated to basketball a top reason we get knocked?

Is it retractable seating?

Is it a track in the mezzanine?

...

[VALPO LI]

Bleachers, Bleacher and more Bleachers.

[vu72]

Bleachers, Bleacher and more Bleachers.

You mean like at Cameron?

[FieldGoodie05]

Bleachers, Bleacher and more Bleachers.

Our chair backs are bleachers, are those unacceptable?

[craftyrighthander]

Our kids graduated from Butler and Dayton in the last five years.  We "required" both of our kids to visit Valpo.  At both Butler and Dayton, the tour guides emphasized that a big part of the campus "community" was going to basketball games.  Basketball games weren't even mentioned on the Valpo tours, which were five years apart.  Let me assure you that Butler and Dayton haven't thrown academics, the arts, community service, and in Dayton's case, Spiritual life, out the window.  They've just decided that Men's Basketball should be one of the "front doors" of the universities. 

While I will admit, Valpo is not apples to apples with these schools for a variety of reasons, I have seen with my own eyes the positive impact that investing in Men's Basketball can have on a school.  The vision at each of these schools didn't come from well-meaning posters on a message board.  The vision came from the Presidents and the Boards.  Everyone on campus knows the vision (even those who don't like it).  And the vision and the message have been so consistent, that each of these schools has received significant contributions toward enhancing facilities from non-alumni, community sources. 

While I am not suggesting that a $72 Million arena project (see Dayton) is required or even realistic, until Valpo leadership decides that: 1) some meaningful ($10-$15 Million) level of investment in Basketball facilities is important; and 2) Valpo needs to recruit more students who were athletes in high school (students who want to attend DI basketball games), this is going to be a frustrating topic. 

[bigmosmithfan1]

Bleachers, Bleacher and more Bleachers.


You mean like at Cameron?

Cameron is all chairbacks except for the student bleachers that surround the floor on the lower level. And they've got about a million other creature comforts in that facility now surrounding arena concourse and lobbies.

[VUGrad1314]

Bleachers, Bleacher and more Bleachers. You mean like at Cameron?

Cameron is all chairbacks except for the student bleachers that surround the floor on the lower level. And they've got about a million other creature comforts in that facility now surrounding arena concourse and lobbies.

And they also rake in about $30million more than Valpo does every year on conference revenue split alone AND they have a large and rich alumni base and a national following we could only dream of. Coach K types assuming Valpo found one don't stay at Valpo\in the MVC very long.