First of all, I'm not talking about WSU's viability as an athletic program with this question. I'm talking about the University, academics, enrollment, etc.
Like everyone affiliated with WSU, I'm very concerned about the state of the university given what's recently transpired. On the other hand, I've started to pose questions about why some people are suggesting this is a potential death blow for the University. That seems like a total cop out. Yes, the finances are going to require a massive adjustment, but the University is still far and away the 2nd biggest and public school in the State (2x the size of WWU and 3x bigger than EWU and CWU). A tier 1 research school. A medical school.
Having been closely connected to WSU since the mid-1980s, I sometimes wonder if not having the P10/P12 umbrella to shelter under will force the school to expand their vision and become a different WSU that's more academically and student focused. The vast majority of the WSU student body are from Western WA, where rah-rah spectator fandom isn't a priority in most kids lives. Certainly not compared to other regions. Perhaps this will serve as a pivot-point for our University? The perfect time to thin our fat-cat administrators and work on rebranding the school.
Like everyone affiliated with WSU, I'm very concerned about the state of the university given what's recently transpired. On the other hand, I've started to pose questions about why some people are suggesting this is a potential death blow for the University. That seems like a total cop out. Yes, the finances are going to require a massive adjustment, but the University is still far and away the 2nd biggest and public school in the State (2x the size of WWU and 3x bigger than EWU and CWU). A tier 1 research school. A medical school.
Having been closely connected to WSU since the mid-1980s, I sometimes wonder if not having the P10/P12 umbrella to shelter under will force the school to expand their vision and become a different WSU that's more academically and student focused. The vast majority of the WSU student body are from Western WA, where rah-rah spectator fandom isn't a priority in most kids lives. Certainly not compared to other regions. Perhaps this will serve as a pivot-point for our University? The perfect time to thin our fat-cat administrators and work on rebranding the school.