A&M Faculty Weighs In on President-Chancellor Merger

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Updated: 10:45 PM Jun 2, 2009 A&M Faculty Weighs In on President-Chancellor Merger Texas A&M faculty members have given a big thumbs down to any notions of combining two of the University System's most powerful posts. Posted: 10:39 PM Jun 2, 2009 Reporter: Joe Brown Email Address: brown@kbtx.com

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Texas A&M faculty members have given a big thumbs down to any notions of combining two of the University System's most powerful posts.

Talk surfaced last week that regents might be considering merging the offices of System Chancellor and A&M President as a means to cutting costs. That prompted the faculty senate to conduct an online survey of faculty members at A&M, A&M Galveston and A&M Qatar. Of the more than 875 who answered the questionnaire, 85 percent oppose the idea, 8 percent support it and 7 percent have no opinion.

In a conversation with News 3, System Chancellor Mike McKinney downplayed the consolidation idea saying the Board of Regents is exploring a number of ideas to streamline operations.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Brennan Location: TAMU-Staff on Jun 3, 2009 at 06:07 PM

I was 1 of the 85% that disapproved of this merger

Posted by: Roger Location: Texas on Jun 3, 2009 at 03:15 PM

The faculty are the ones who bring in the research dollars of which Texas A&M used to and I assume still does receive a percentage. The faculty principal investigator in a research project has graduate students working under him or her learning to be scientists and do quality research. The faculty and or graduate students do the teaching and training of students for which those students pay many dollars. The state makes up the difference between what students pay and research brings in and donors donate in scholarships and other funds. If people start trying to run the University as a business and upset any of the revenue streams they, like a business, can cause a big loss. It would seem to me that enough bailouts are going on in this country without trying to get into a fight that might damage the University and require another bail out. I think everyone should take a deep breath and think about everything before doing anything. Change for change sake is not necessarily good. Relax.

Posted by: Chup on Jun 3, 2009 at 02:02 PM

To the twerp calling him/herself "Faculty" -- you're about as much a faculty person as I am the King of Siam. What an idiotic thing to say that the "System has only our best interests at heart." What a dope.

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