Trustees' Mackinac retreat could yield results
Tweet
A five-star hotel on Mackinac Island doesn’t seem like it would be the best place to conduct university business, but that’s where the MSU Board of Trustees traveled for their annual retreat. The two-day retreat gives the board some extra time to review the past year and see where the university can improve in the future.
Some of the important topics being discussed this year are Housing & Food Services, the conditions of the residence halls and employee health care costs. The board also planned to evaluate the performance of President Lou Anna K. Simon in the past year and discuss ways to limit tuition hikes.
Many people would agree that it’s a bit insensitive for the board to venture off campus for a meeting in the midst of rising tuition rates — even if it is for business purposes.
Even though it might seem like a high cost to pay, the benefits outweigh the cost if they’re tackling issues. Besides, wouldn’t you be more motivated to work if one of the perks at the end of the day was a comfy full-size bed and room service?
The board normally meets once a month and like most meetings, it’s probably boring and can drag on for hours. Decisions made under these conditions aren’t always the best, because they can sometimes be rushed. This retreat is an informal but relaxing atmosphere. It gives the board two days to debate topics that might otherwise be skimmed over at a regular meeting, which could possibly help them to make more rational decisions.
The conditions of the residence halls and finding ways to keep tuition costs down are issues that shouldn’t be taken lightly. They can require a significant amount of time to discuss and can create an intense atmosphere. This trip could motivate the board to think things through a little better, if they know that afterwards they can kick back and enjoy the rest of the evening.
Retreats are also meant to establish and strengthen relationships so hopefully the board members will emerge with a better understanding of each person’s goals for the university. This might help them to collaborate ad strengthen their plans for the university for the following year.
Even though the sole purpose of this retreat is to discuss university affairs, some people might still be skeptical of the motives behind it because the board hasn’t always been the best at communicating with staff and students.
Fortunately, in the past, they’ve made the topics they covered and the conclusions they came to while on the retreat public information. This information can open what seems like a shut door that hides what goes on inside these annual retreats.
This retreat might be one of the more extravagant ways to conduct business, but combining relaxation with business might help the board make better decisions.
Commentary
Add your $0.02, go to the comment form or follow the comment feed
Mark
(07/31/08 7:17pm)Report
The board normally meets once a month and like most meetings, it’s probably boring and can drag on for hours. Decisions made under these conditions aren’t always the best, because they can sometimes be rushed. This retreat is an informal but relaxing atmosphere. It gives the board two days to debate topics that might otherwise be skimmed over at a regular meeting, which could possibly help them to make more rational decisions.
If this is the case and they cannot do their best work and are making rushed and irrational decisions, they should be replaced with better trustees.
Mac Island
(07/31/08 8:07pm)Report
Why is a secluded-five-star hotel on an island a difficult place to make imporntant decisions?
The MSU board of trustees has been coming here for years. If it didn’t work they probably wouldn’t come back.
State News Is Retarded
(07/31/08 8:17pm)Report
Since when is uncommon for business men and womenn to meet at a location other than thier place of employment? Answer: it isn’t uncommon. In fact its common practice. This article sucks. Its filled with editorilizing—which is fitting—but it also makes unfounded generaliztions made by some snotty-nosed prick.
Mark
(07/31/08 10:22pm)Report
1) I do not think it is all that common for a company that has all of its branches in the same town to meet somewhere many hours and a boat ride away.
2) This is not a private corporation, but a group of public servants.
Could be worse
(08/01/08 7:18am)Report
Mac Island,
With all the money that they are paying you, you should take some time and learn some grammar. Maybe some spell-check?It doesn’t matter that the leave to go on a retreat to get shit done. My question regards why they go to easily the most expensive getaway in the State.
Also, I am fairly confident that a majority of the student body is wondering why they’re spending so much money over there as well.
MSUAlum2001
(08/01/08 7:25am)Report
Be careful, Could be worse, when criticizing spelling and grammar. You made a couple yourself.
Probably is worse
(08/01/08 7:31am)Report
I wonder if you took away all the perks of being a trustee and stopped treating them like royalty how many would want the job. I am sure this retreat is one small part of the ‘extras’ they receive.
Zeke
(08/01/08 11:31am)Report
Truly hilarious that the State News has no problems with the trustees taking off for an expensive luxury weekend, but finds the excessive jetsetting and spending by Kwame to be wrong. Hmmm…
More of the usual crap from corrupt politicians (and yes, Trustees are elected by the populace, which makes them politicians). They claim to support the students, but they could really give a damn less. Eight trustees at a minimum of $800 each (per the Hotel’s $345/night base right for the smallest rooms plus taxes and tips) – that’s nearly $7000 that could have been spent on the university.
“Besides, wouldn’t you be more motivated to work if one of the perks at the end of the day was a comfy full-size bed and room service?”
If they can’t work at their offices like everyone else, they need to be fired. I don’t think the blue-collar workers at Detroit’s auto plants and the other hard-working men and women of the state who are struggling just to keep their home are going to be sympathetic to a spoiled trustee who thinks he/she is too good for the Mariott down the street.