It’s amazing what you can learn by looking around yourself and asking questions. Like the situation that has just about been completed at the University of Virginia. A wonderful business management example unfolds before your eyes.
You start with the University itself. An institution that is steeped in pride and tradition- even if they are not truly in concert with reality. An institution that is being rocked by change all around it- even if they want to keep a steady course (or not). An institution beholden to its stakeholders.
UVa, as it is commonly called, is almost 200 years old. It was started by Thomas Jefferson as an academical village, where the professors and students all lived among one another on the “grounds” (no campus, here), a rectangular piece of Lawn (yes, it’s capitalized by the demands of the place) surrounded by classrooms and living quarters. Where professors are called “Mister” (and about equally now, “Maam”), unless their “Doctor” obtains from the field of medicine. Where the elite UVa students today vie to live, as opposed to the manifold dormitories that extend and meander away from this initial village (akin to the center of a town). Where folks claim (they no longer do so, in reality) to cheer their football team as “guys in ties and girls in pearls”. Where each student used to voice the promise, “On my honor as a gentleman” to not cheat on exams or homework. (The “honor code” still portends, but there are now women who attend the University.)
UVa prides itself as the “Harvard” of the South. Not that such a proclamation has any proof behind it, but it explains a great deal of the attitude of the place. It is steeped in the Southern traditions, for all the good and the bad associated with them. Until a little more than 30 years ago, it hosted the biggest drunken brawl you had ever seen – annually- down in the “Mad Bowl”. Yet, the students did manage to obtain fine education in fields as diverse as English, Business, Law, Nuclear Science, Astronomy, among them. (These were the programs that were among the elite in the nation.)
Given that background, we arrive at today’s university, a nominal state school, where the bulk of its money arrives from alumni donations. As recent as 4 decades ago, its annual budget was sustained by the coffers of the Commonwealth of Virginia. But, now, the Commonwealth grudgingly supplies only about 25% of the funds needed by the place. (Note: This is not the only state institution, nor the only state with such a change in funding. And, that, too is part of this multi-part story.)
Theoretically, the University is governed by a 16 member Board of Visitors. Individuals appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth. Until recently, this board was constituted with folks appointed by the current and previous governors in about equal numbers. One could wonder what are the qualifications necessary to be appointed to the board; in a phrase- political connections (read donations).
The Rector (akin to the Chair of the Board) was Helen Dragas, a second generation home building executive (her dad started the company), appointed to the board by the previous governor (a Democrat), and elected Rector in 2011 under the current governor (Republican). At the same time another woman, Teresa Sullivan, began her term as the President of the University, to succeed the beloved, retiring, 20 year veteran of that position, Dr. John Casteen.
Dr. Sullivan recently heralded from the University of Michigan, another state school of venerable reputation, where she was the Provost (the #2 executive position). A woman, a non-Southerner… in other words, the penultimate “Other”.
Tomorrow, we’ll continue our studies from these “auspicious beginnings”.
OH Roy! I can hardly wait to see where you are going with this. You set this story up marvelously. As a northern girl I didn’t know anything about UVa, with the set up I very much want to know more. I’ll be here again tomorrow!
Lisa Brandel recently posted..The Painted Lady by Lisa Brandel
Me, too, Lisa… I have always been tempted to run multiple blogs to get all my thoughts out there for discussion right away. But, the reality of maintaining multiple blogs immediately sets off alarm bells in my brain and the resulting din reminds me to stick with one!
Roy
Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break. I love the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my phone .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, superb blog!
Battlefield 3 Trainer recently posted..Battlefield 3 Trainer
Toni, I am thrilled you found the blog and look forward to your reactions from the rest of the series.
Roy
Hi Roy! I’m sorry it’s been so long since I have visited your blog, but rest assured that yours is the first I’ve read in what seems a very long time. Trying to get back in the blog swing of things! I am intrigued by your multi-part series and looking forward to see where we are headed and what we will learn! I hope you’re enjoying the summer so far! ~ Suerae
Suerae Stein recently posted..There Better be a Rainbow…
I’m sorry, too, Suerae… I need all the readers I can get 🙂
I hope you enjoy the rest of the series. As usual, I spent a fair amount of time researching my facts and coalescing my thoughts on this series.
Roy
I don’t know about states other than Texas when it comes to universities, but I have a bad feeling about this college and it’s future. Does it have high quality certifications? Do the alumni contribute enough to keep the door open, since the state most certainly does not. How high is tuition? How many students are on government subsidized grants? I am surely interested in its future. I will read tomorrow with interest.
Ann Mullen recently posted..Dads and the Empty Nest
Whoa, that’s a whole bunch of queries there, Ann…
The University of Texas at Austin is a fine institution. But, I don’t know enough to provide the answers you seek. And, given the statements of your governor and legislators, it is not clear what it’s funding will be in the future, either.
Regarding tuition assistance, the data for all colleges now indicates that more and more students and paying more and more of their tuition (less financial assistance). That information (compliments of Sallie Mae) just got published today…(http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/college-costs-shifting-to-students-sallie-mae-survey-finds/2012/07/15/gJQA8ZScnW_story.html)
I hope that gives you some information.
Roy
I like the way you’ve set this up like a novel, Roy, establishing the setting and the principal characters. Is this destined to be the academic version of ‘Gone With The Wind’?
Alan Miles recently posted..Website Considerations And Tips For A Startup Business
Well, UVa would certainly be fodder for such an endeavor, but I am more interested in what we can learn from this to become better managers and leaders But, given the Huguely (Lacrosse player who slayed his girlfriend), the shootings that led to the honor code, and other tidbits not mentioned in public, it would certainly prove to be the right context for such a novel.
Now, your other suggestion, Gone with the funding…. that is something I have considered writing about. It’s part of our STEM problem.
Great introduction! You set the expectations high on this one (Although, at firsts I expected something regarding baseball series. Phillies vs Nationals, maybe) . Looking forward for the business lessons.
Gustavo | Frugal Science recently posted..Freud and Dali (surreal dreams)
I am “kvelling” over the winning streak the Phils have managed – all three games of them! But, that is/was not the subject of the blog…
You are about a day behind. Today’s post was the first part of the business lessons, Gustavo.
Roy
Hi sir Roy, this lesson you post in here is very advisable to me, I learned something and very helpful…
Fatima Hipolito recently posted..Insight on Life
Glad you found this post in the series also useful, Fatima! Thanks for reading AND commenting.