Interesting Comparison in Media Portrayal

[egunzy]

I don't know if you recall but in September it was reported that Iowa State planned to use $90,000 in private money to install new commercial carpet on the first floor of the Knoll. The DM Rag ran an article and predictably user comments were very critical of this decision even though the Board of Regents approved it.

ISU to pay $90k to replace president’s first-floor carpet | Des Moines Register Staff Blogs

Fast forward to the Iowa-Northwestern football game a few weeks ago. Iowa did a card stunt before the game where the entire crowd held cards to make the stadium look like a US Flag during the anthem and black and gold striped sections afterwards. Admittedly, it was actually very cool. I'd like to see ISU do something like this. My point, however, is that this cost $80,000 to do this. I am sure it was private money as well and I have no issue with it. I do take issue with the lack of equal reporting on a large expenditure that some may see as questionable at best. I mean at least new carpet in the Knoll is a tangible item that will last for approximately 20 years. The card stunt was over in a few minutes.

The Wiz of Odds: Kinnick Stadium Card Stunt

Just my 2 cents.

 

[SvrWxCy]

I guess welcome to life and the life of an Iowa State Cyclone... You will hardly ever see fair and equal reporting on matters, especially when it can be swung into something political or economical.

 

[IowaStateClones]

Quit crying

 

[egunzy]

Quit crying

I'm not crying. Just pointing out what I find to be an interesting comparison.

 

[driegner]

The DM Rag ran an article and predictably user comments were very critical of this decision even though the Board of Regents approved it.

It sounds to me like you're saying the comments are unfair. It isn't the DMR's responsibility to ensure the user comments are fair, or even factual.

 

[egunzy]

It sounds to me like you're saying the comments are unfair. It isn't the DMR's responsibility to ensure the user comments are fair, or even factual.

Nope, not talking about the user comments no matter how ridiculous they are. See below

"I do take issue with the lack of equal reporting on a large expenditure that some may see as questionable at best. I mean at least new carpet in the Knoll is a tangible item that will last for approximately 20 years. The card stunt was over in a few minutes."

I'm perplexed as to why the Rag runs an article on $90,000 worth of carpet but fails to pick up on $80,000 worth of signs for a visual stunt for TV (but still very cool).

 

[driegner]

I'm perplexed as to why the Rag runs an article on $90,000 worth of carpet but fails to pick up on $80,000 worth of signs for a visual stunt for TV (but still very cool).

They probably have a BoR beat reporter who writes about anything approved at BoR meetings.

 

[egunzy]

They probably have a BoR beat reporter who writes about anything approved at BoR meetings.

Good point.

 

[ISUDL]

They didn't report it because its not true, it did not cost $80,000.

 

[only4cy]

Welcome to Cyclone Fanatic ..... where supposed "Cyclone fans" will defend the Hocks and Rag to the bitter end (when they are not calling to fire all the coaches).

 

[tyrelrobert]

They didn't report it because its not true, it did not cost $80,000.

yes it did....each card cost $1 and some odd cents which came out to $80,000 or actually a little above that.

 

[cycub51]

Athletic department spending the money vs the academic side of the school. The academic side of the schools are raising tuition and getting their gov't money cut left and right so its a bigger deal to spend something like that even though it did come from a private donor. The athletic departments are not hurting for money in most schools because of the television money.

This comparison is apples and oranges.

 

[G-Rock]

The Iowa Farm Bureau picked up a large chunk of the tab.

 

[azepp]

Athletic department spending the money vs the academic side of the school. The academic side of the schools are raising tuition and getting their gov't money cut left and right so its a bigger deal to spend something like that even though it did come from a private donor. The athletic departments are not hurting for money in most schools because of the television money.

This comparison is apples and oranges.

I disagree. The ISU Foundation is not tied only to academics. From their website:

The Iowa State University Foundation is a private non-profit organization dedicated to securing and stewarding private gifts and grants that benefit Iowa State University. Each year, thousands of generous benefactors make gifts to show their support for Iowa State.

The ISU Foundation works with Iowa State administrators, deans and unit leaders to determine the university's fundraising priorities. These projects may include professorships, faculty support, student scholarships, facility improvements, new equipment, athletic support, program enhancements and new buildings, just to name a few. The ISU Foundation staff and volunteer leadership works in partnership with university officials to generate private support for ISU.

http://www.foundation.iastate.edu/site/PageServer?pagename=about_governance

 

[CapnCy]

Great catch. It is amazing how certain things portrayed a certain way can really get twisted out of proportion. For instance, the cost of the new ISU presidential search were in the paper last week. Sometimes people forget we were not hiring for the assistant manager at McDonalds...it costs more than an add in the Tribune and a Craigslist posting to recruit the equivalent of a CEO.

Again, great pointing this out. You should email this to the DM Reg and see if they run with it..probably not...but you could try.