UVA President John T. Casteen held—well, technically not a “news” conference, but an “informal round-table session with the media” last week, though it was a conversation with a bunch of reporters about the state of the University. Here’s some of what he had to say.
 UVA President John Casteen says that in working with local government, he tries to keep in mind that “sleeping next to an elephant is a treacherous way to spend the night." |
On state budget cuts:
“The state has believed for years…that a certain amount of testing of possible economies and efficiencies of economies in tight times is probably good over the long haul.”
Just the facts: UVA’s looking at a 7 percent cut of the money of in-state money, which makes up a mere 9 percent of the budget, anyway. No layoffs are expected.
On planning:
“The early planning was frankly rather crude. I can remember one set of plans that we had done in the early ‘90s which if summarized would have said that in five or 10 years we’re going to be doing exactly as we’re doing now but with a lot more money.”
But seriously, folks: The Commission on the Future will help us figure out what to do after restructuring.
On $3 billion capital campaign:
“We’re slightly ahead of schedule, but not much.”
Just the facts: UVA is about half way, with $1.4 billion in cash and “in-kind” gifts, and another $200 million in wills and trusts.
On allowing guns on campus:
“An arms race in college classrooms strikes me as a very, very bad way to deal with the kind of violence that occurred at Virginia Tech.”
But seriously, folks: Virginia needs more functional gun laws.
On working with the local community:
“One thing we do is remember that sleeping next to an elephant is a treacherous way to spend the night.”
But seriously, folks: We did a bad job communicating with neighbors on the new parking facility, we did somewhat better with Scott Stadium renovations, and we’re doing much better with the South Lawn project.
On preparations for his and Leonard Sandridge’s eventual retirement:
“We are extending Mr. Sandridge’s retirement date by one day every day. …I think that presidents who try to meddle in and predict what comes after them inevitably botch it up. I’ll be reachable on my boat about once a month.”
But seriously, folks: Sandridge’s and Casteen’s duties are being gradually split up so that more institutional memory is acquired by the likes of new Provost Tim Garson.
