BYU Professor Lobbies Against Utah Legislation

[USU78]

Here is her bio: http://lifesciences.byu.edu/DirectoriesInformation/Directories/FacultyStaff/tabid/166/ctl/FacultyProfile/mid/5712/NetID/BLR3/Default.aspx

Seems she's calling, emailing and visiting legislators trying to put the cabosh on USU's partnering with Wazzu to share a Veterinary program (first 2 years in Logan, 2nd 2 years on the Palouse). The building is already under construction using private funds, but the operations need State approval and some state support.

Her stated reason? The potential loss of grant $$ to yBu in favor of USU.

I see a significant problem here if the Church through its subsidiary is behind her activities. If she's a loose cannon, well and good.

[rpn]

Why is it bad to lobby legislators to preserve grant funds for the entire state (and not some entity outside of the state, which I'm presuming Palouse to be)? And why would it be bad to tell legislators how potential legislation would affect BYU? And why is it unreasonable for a byu professor to lobby to keep funds (which probably pay her salary? Aren't BYU professors (and isn't BYU, although so far we apparently don't know that it is actually involved) citizens of Utah, entitled to express their opinions to their elected officials?

[USU78]

Lobbyists need to register with the state. She's not registered. As a church employee, her activities can, under some circumtances, be imputed to the Church. That could be a real problem.

[frankenstein]

Lobbyists need to register with the state. She's not registered. As a church employee, her activities can, under some circumtances, be imputed to the Church. That could be a real problem.

time for a letter writing campaign to:

The Utah Statesman;

Universe;

Sltrib;

DSN;

[rpn]

so if she isn'tt registered as a lobbyist, perhaps we should take that to mean that she isn't representing anyone except her very own self.

[Daniel Peterson]

I know nothing about this issue, but I'm fairly sure that, in signing an employment contract with BYU, I didn't waive my rights to vote, campaign, or seek to influence my legislators in Utah.

[ttribe]

I know nothing about this issue, but I'm fairly sure that, in signing an employment contract with BYU, I didn't waive my rights to vote, campaign, or seek to influence my legislators in Utah.

But to do so, ostensibly, on behalf of the University? That seems to be walking a fine line.

[Daniel Peterson]

But to do so, ostensibly, on behalf of the University? That seems to be walking a fine line.

If she's claiming to represent the University, and isn't, that's a problem.

If she's correctly claiming to represent the University, I would still think it within the University's rights to argue to legislators and policy makers that such and such a government action would be good for, or adverse to, the University's interests. The University is, after all, even though private, a significant Utah institution that Utah government should not want to harm, and might even legitimately want, within constitutional and legal limits, to help.

If she's not claiming to represent the University, she retains every legal and moral right as a citizen of the United States to voice her political opinions.

[volgadon]

The University is, after all... a significant Utah institution that Utah government should not want to harm, and might even legitimately want, within constitutional and legal limits, to help.

The same could certainly be said of USU.

[Avatar4321]

I know nothing about this issue, but I'm fairly sure that, in signing an employment contract with BYU, I didn't waive my rights to vote, campaign, or seek to influence my legislators in Utah.

I would be surprised to hear that you had done otherwise. Especially without you realizing it.

I don't see why this professor would have done any differently. I don't see a problem with her lobbying her legislators.

And on a more personal note, I really don't see why BYU should be ridiculed. It's a very good school with diverse people of all backgrounds there. It does a great service to the Church and to many of our brethren throughout the world.

I know there are some rivalries between the Utah Schools, but from members I would expect respect between all the schools despite school rivalries. There is no reason to be insulting.

[Daniel Peterson]

The same could certainly be said of USU.

Of course.

I hold nothing against USU.

I have to confess, though, that I've always found it mysterious and unfathomable that some members of the Church living in Utah genuinely hate BYU. As a very committed member of the Church, I want everything connected with it to thrive.

[Calm]

Why is it bad to lobby legislators to preserve grant funds for the entire state (and not some entity outside of the state, which I'm presuming Palouse to be)?

It is not an uncommon practice for colleges and universities to set up some sort of partnership (though I haven't heard of this kind yet). Generally such things benefit both in that it gives them greater access to resources they would not otherwise have, thus in the long run financially it's on the plus side saving money because the schools don't have to duplicate something to receive the same benefits.

USU, where did you get this information, the bio did not address it that I saw (granted I didn't look that close).

Palouse is in Idaho, right?or is it in Washington (took me a minute to get "Wazzu")?

Found this link: http://www.sltrib.co...mathis.html.csp

Found another one: http://elevennews.byu.edu/?p=1001

[Calm]

Her stated reason? The potential loss of grant $ to yBu in favor of USU.

Do you have this documented? or is this what is being said about what she said...which may or may not be true as neither link where I found the story has anything like this?

If the implication of the potential loss of grant monies is that money is taken from an established program to fund a new program that may not be needed (which is what her stated reason is that I see in the second link above---the lack of need for that much expansion), I can see why she might be significantly troubled and I see the questioning of the project as realistic or practical. If she means that there will simply be two viable programs in competition for the same grant dollars, then it becomes less of a practical issue and more of a personal taste on which program one wants supported.

[USU78]

It is not an uncommon practice for colleges and universities to set up some sort of partnership (though I haven't heard of this kind yet). Generally such things benefit both in that it gives them greater access to resources they would not otherwise have, thus in the long run financially it's on the plus side saving money because the schools don't have to duplicate something to receive the same benefits.

USU, where did you get this information, the bio did not address it that I saw (granted I didn't look that close).

Palouse is in Idaho, right?or is it in Washington (took me a minute to get "Wazzu")?

Found this link: http://www.sltrib.co...mathis.html.csp

Found another one: http://elevennews.byu.edu/?p=1001

The information comes from a friend in the Ag/Extension Dept at USU who is interested in legislative affairs, as am I.

Wazzu = Washington State University, a sister land-grant institution with which USU does considerable business, which is located on the Idaho border in an area called "The Palouse." Where Herr Professor Doktor Peterson rides his Cayuse.

[USU78]

Do you have this documented? or is this what is being said about what she said...which may or may not be true as neither link where I found the story has anything like this?

If the implication of the potential loss of grant monies is that money is taken from an established program to fund a new program that may not be needed (which is what her stated reason is that I see in the second link above---the lack of need for that much expansion), I can see why she might be significantly troubled and I see the questioning of the project as realistic or practical. If she means that there will simply be two viable programs in competition for the same grant dollars, then it becomes less of a practical issue and more of a personal taste on which program one wants supported.

The merits of her argument (which I find unpersuasive, as a private that has no Vet school can hardly be argued to be harmed by restoration of a Vet school at a state school) are not the issue. The issue is a private lobbying against a state school's interests.

[frankenstein]

with diverse people of all backgrounds there.

if byu is diverse, then I would hate to see what you consider a school that is not diverse?

But I suppose, Eastern US caucasion are diverse from Western US Caucasian which are diverse from Southern US Caucasian.

[todd520]

Here is her bio: http://lifesciences....R3/Default.aspx

Seems she's calling, emailing and visiting legislators trying to put the cabosh on USU's partnering with Wazzu to share a Veterinary program (first 2 years in Logan, 2nd 2 years on the Palouse). The building is already under construction using private funds, but the operations need State approval and some state support.

Her stated reason? The potential loss of grant $$ to yBu in favor of USU.

I see a significant problem here if the Church through its subsidiary is behind her activities. If she's a loose cannon, well and good.

I think it is a big stretch to imply this is a church driven conspiracy.

I also hope and expect USU professors and officials are lobbying for the benefits of passing the legislation

[ttribe]

The merits of her argument (which I find unpersuasive, as a private that has no Vet school can hardly be argued to be harmed by restoration of a Vet school at a state school) are not the issue. The issue is a private lobbying against a state school's interests.

As a private individual, I think there's no problem with her actions. If, however, she is trying to lobby to keep BYU from losing funds...well, again, a fine line she's walking.

[Bob Crockett]

'Course, I think that lobbying registration is an affront to free speech and government should get out of the business of higher education altogether, but hey, libertarians are not beloved.

Contrary to USU's comments, this women is not very likely to be a Church employee, but an employee of a private university. Under Utah's Lobbyist Disclosure and Regulation Act, a person must register as a lobbyist only if paid to lobby by his or her employer.

Go get 'em, BYU. I need to get my money's worth after all the tuition I've paid for kids and myself.

[Avatar4321]

if byu is diverse, then I would hate to see what you consider a school that is not diverse?

But I suppose, Eastern US caucasion are diverse from Western US Caucasian which are diverse from Southern US Caucasian.

People from all over the world speaking various languages and having multiple faiths isn't diverse enough for you?

[USU78]

People from all over the world speaking various languages and having multiple faiths isn't diverse enough for you?

Please don't rise to his bait.

[frankenstein]

People from all over the world speaking various languages and having multiple faiths isn't diverse enough for you?

the statement was mostly a jab at byu, taken from a

. but here are some facts.

from BYU website

93% of all day time students from the United States.

32.6% of students are from Utah

27919 are white and even if you subtract foreign students considered white "Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa. ... Irish, German, Italian, Lebanese, Near Easterner, Arab, or Polish., (US federal definition) the number is still over 27,000

consistently less than 2k students are from foreign countries.

so no, based on the numbers I do not consider byu to be diverse, there are people from all over the world, but the chances of average Caucasian Joe or Mary LDS United States Citizen meeting or interacting with these people from foreign countries are very slim.

I live near ASU, in my apartment building, it is mostly students, 14 units in my building, 7 units are Asians (direct from China or Japan), neighbors to the right of me are from Japan, neighbors to the left of me are from China. Neighbors below me, Asia. below and diagnal to the left, direct from China. The other units are a mix of white and black. One of the other buildings, has many Asians, and white females (I believe these females are lesbians and I consider homosexuality to add to diversity).

My neighborhood, mostly hispanic (it seems) with whites, blacks, Arabs, and American Indians and Country of India Indians. This is just a very small sample of who attends ASU. I would place large money on not finding a similar neighborhood near BYU, nor similar ethic/race demographics between ASU and BYU.

[ttribe]

the statement was mostly a jab at byu, taken from a

. but here are some facts.

from BYU website

93% of all day time students from the United States.

32.6% of students are from Utah

27919 are white

consistently less than 2k students are from foreign countries.

so no, based on the numbers I do not consider byu to be diverse, there are people from all over the world, but the chances of average Caucasian Joe or Mary LDS United States Citizen meeting or interacting with these people from foreign countries are very slim.

For the record (as if my opinion mattered), having completed my Bachelor's degree at Arizona State (a relatively diverse campus), I went and completed a Master's degree at BYU. The contrast was rather striking to me in terms of diversity (among other things...[ahem]).

[frankenstein]

multiple faiths isn't diverse enough for you?

lds at byu 32486

Non LDS 461

Nope I do not consider that diverse

[USU78]

Please stop the threadjacking. Francis, stay out the thread, please, if you want to slam yBu's student demographic to prove some irrelevant-to-the-thread point.