Bolin Raises Questions About UIUC Administration
by Billy Joe Mills • Feb 27th, 2008 at 10:54 pm •
Make sure you didn’t miss today’s well-written editorial in the Daily Illini by perennial campus all-star Dan Bolin.
Dan says in part:
Late Monday, I learned that the University administration had been working with one or two members of our nine member SEC to add language to this referenda statement. While other referenda have supplemental language submitted by sponsors, never as an undergraduate or as a law student at this University have I seen the administration impose their own language on a referendum question. The administration’s language states: “The result of this referendum question is not binding on the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, the body legislatively charged with oversight of the symbol.”
Comment by Anonymous on 28 February 2008 at 7:58 am:
Let me preface this by saying that although I am pro-Chief, I do think it’s time to move on (although I find it deliciously ironic when the anti-Chiefers start saying things like “get over it already.” They heard those same phrases for years and decided not to “get over it;” they have no right to tell anyone to get over ANYTHING).
That being said, this is just another example of the crappiness of this university’s higher-ups. Frankly I am embarrassed with most of the things this administration does.
Comment by tet on 28 February 2008 at 9:25 am:
I’m more embarassed about the $115 million deficit on utility payments. Man, what a bunch of dumbasses–they install a billion-dollar piece of software and can’t keep track of the power bill.
Tom
Comment by Augur on 28 February 2008 at 9:35 am:
A few comments about Mr. Bolin and his editorial:
He’s making a big deal about nothing.
The university has a valid point for wanting to avoid confused irate students, on this question in particular. The only reason to oppose the language is if you want to create student backlash when they learn after it passes, that it was nothing more than a public opinion poll.
All of these are nonbinding, and I suspect what’s really going on is that Dan Bolin doesn’t want to minimize the pro-chief question.
I was here when Dan Bolin was in undergrad, and he was one of the “all stars” of Students for the Chief. He should recuse himself on this issue, and probably shouldn’t be the one writing these editorials without disclosing his previous affiliation.
Moreover, I was surprised to learn Dan is on the SEC, which I read recently fined candidates for tearing down each others posters. When Dan was an undergrad he was caught tearing down the campaign posters of an anti-chief trustee candidate, that candidate saw him with his half torn down poster in his hand in a lecture hall in Greg Hall.
Any idea how Dan voted for fining the two trustee candidates for doing what he did previously?
That said, perhaps you’re right, and Dan’s motives were pure. We have both grown up a lot since then, and if you say Dan’s a great guy, then I’ll take your word for it, and perhaps we can grab a beer next time I’m in Urbana (Billy you can have a shirley temple)
The last Chief question, about 3 years ago, a year before Billy tried to get on the ballot as “Billy Pro-Chief Mills” broke about 70-30. It’ll be interesting to see if and how the times have changed.
Billy, you should tell that story on the blog sometime, it was hilarious how you tried to convince the SEC your nickname was “pro-chief.” It would have been an amazing tactic.
Our new blogmate, Gordon the Gnome has a similar story to tell sometime about getting on the ballot with a nickname :)
Comment by kofi the the times they are a changin' on 28 February 2008 at 8:14 pm:
The last Chief question, about 3 years ago, a year before Billy tried to get on the ballot as “Billy Pro-Chief Mills” broke about 70-30. It’ll be interesting to see if and how the times have changed.
Looks like it broke 80-20 this time.
Comment by kofi the the times they are a changin' on 28 February 2008 at 8:14 pm:
The last Chief question, about 3 years ago, a year before Billy tried to get on the ballot as “Billy Pro-Chief Mills” broke about 70-30. It’ll be interesting to see if and how the times have changed.
Looks like it broke 80-20 this time.
Comment by kofi the the times they are a changin' on 28 February 2008 at 8:14 pm:
The last Chief question, about 3 years ago, a year before Billy tried to get on the ballot as “Billy Pro-Chief Mills” broke about 70-30. It’ll be interesting to see if and how the times have changed.
Looks like it broke 80-20 this time.