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Has WVU been a success under Hardesty?
With West Virginia University on the verge of selecting Mike Garrison as its next president, many WVU alumni and supporters are privately questioning whether the performance of David Hardesty justifies choosing another candidate who, like Hardesty, comes from a background rooted more in politics than education.
Scott Finn of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, Jake Stump of the Charleston Daily Mail, Larry Messina of the AP, and MetroNews' Hoppy Kercheval have lately explored questions about Garrison's qualifications and whether his presence in the final cut of three candidates has more to do with political and personal connections than qualifications and ability.
Garrison's defenders claim that his Hardesty-like rise to prominence is a positive attribute, because, they say, WVU has grown and prospered during Hardesty's tenure. But his critics, most of whom do not speak out in the media, say Garrison's likely selection as the next WVU president is more indicative of political patronage than a sincere effort to find the best qualified candidate.
What most reports have so far overlooked is the fact that WVU is regarded by most objective measures as an under-performing institution, and its responsibility as the state's leading institution of higher learning to help raise the education bar in West Virginia has not been fruitful.
In its 2007 report on "America's Best Colleges," U.S. News & World Report rates WVU far down the list and classifies it as a "third tier" university, based on factors including retention rates, graduation rates, percent of faculty who are full-time, and students who were in the top 10% of their high school classes. (Marshall, on the other hand, lands in the magazine's list of best southern schools.)
In a 2006 report, the Southern Regional Education Board, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works with leaders and policy-makers in 16 member states to improve pre-K through postsecondary education, reveals some troubling trends in regard to education in the state.
West Virginia ranked below the SREB median in college graduation rates. Average faculty salaries in West Virginia trailed national numbers, and a lower percentage of adults in West Virginia had bachelor's degrees than in most of the nation.
With the school on the verge of annointing someone who has followed the same path as the current president, many are questioning if WVU deserves more than a political patronage pick
The National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education 2006 Report Card on West Virginia
In the 2006 Higher Education Report Card prepared by Garrison's own Higher Education Policy Commission, the report revealed that students enrolled in West Virginia colleges trailed national averages in ACT composite scores, and that a disturbing number of college graduates continue to leave the state to pursue their careers.
And the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education issued a 2006 report card on West Virginia, scoring it no higher than a C+ in any category.
The people of West Virginia are naturally proud of their largest university. Its accomplishments on the sports front are exciting and uplifting. Its setting in Morgantown is picturesque, and there are countless reasons for boasting. Travel the country, and you will find successful alums still sporting the blue and gold.
Founded in 1867, WVU has in recent years failed to improve its own academic standing, and has not helped lead the state as a whole to loftier education achievements.
While most observers believe the die has been cast and Garrison's selection is a foregone conclusion, they remain hopeful that there will be those (like Judge Robert King) who might step in and ensure that this time, the overall needs of the old school will trump the influence of old school politics.
West Virginia racetracks would fail if they had to depend on West Virginians
Racetracks in West Virginia would turn out the lights tomorrow if they had to depend on local residents to gamble their lives away.
Eastern Panhandle Delegate Craig Blair supplies figures showing that when it comes to frequenting the tracks, West Virginians prefer watching television.
For example, West Virginians account
for only 4% of the patronage at the Charles Town track; 2% at Mountaineer; 5% at Wheeling; and just 37% at Tri-State, even though there are no border states near that track. In all, 88% of patrons are out of state.
The figures serve two purposes: you can argue that West Virginians will oppose more gambling; or you can make the case that they are not negatively affected by it.
