Deseret News | Reader comments: Dixie State president steps down

Reader comments
Dixie State president steps down

St. George Resident | 7:32 a.m. March 28, 2008

Urquhart's statement... "I don't think this had anything to do with the affiliation idea," ARE YOU KIDDING?

Once again, Urquhart has demonstrated that he is either disingenuous or completely clueless...

Probably the latter!

Dixie Alumnus | 8:41 a.m. March 28, 2008

The regents forced Lee Caldwell out of office; that is obvious. President Caldwell was the one of the best presidents Dixie has ever had, a mover and a shaker, and a brilliant leader--something the regents can't stand. The regents are concerned Dixie stay exactly the way it is: no growth=no extra money goes into Dixie. So where, then, is that money going? And what, aside from money, is there to lose if Dixie grows?

The regents care only about their own agenda and exist to make things difficult for everyone else. One day we'll wise up to that fact and quit using our tax dollars to pay for these parasitical blockheads to slow Utah's educational progress.

And that is the correct photo.

DSC Graduate | 8:56 a.m. March 28, 2008

The politics regarding DSC and the UofU joining together stretch all the way to Washington D.C. with our former Governor Leavitt. The last thing Governor Leavitt's alma mater (SUU) wants is a union between DSC and the UofU. There have been "rumblings" around DSC for several months about a SUU/DSC plan instead of DSC joining with the UofU. Of course NONE of this is in the interest of the DSC students or the St. George community. It all comes back to who receives the money and who has power. Caldwell was absolutely forced out. He has been a tremendous asset to Dixie State College and was willing to stand up to the "politics" facing the area.... However, for doing so, he ultimately lost his position. Evidence yet again of how the Board of Regents really aren't striving for the benefit of DSC students or the St. George Community. GET SUU POLITICS OUT OF WASHINGTON COUNTY!!!

Comments continue below

Trent | 10:10 a.m. March 28, 2008

Name one good thing Caldwell did for Dixie... nothing. It's a good idea to mix things up every few years anyway to give someone else a chance. Plus, the main purpose of a college president is to be a fundraiser, and Caldwell failed at this, which is why our area legislators recommended to the Board of Regents that he be fired. Caldwell didn't support the UofU/Dixie affiliation which the legislature supports, another reason he was asked to step down.

John | 10:19 a.m. March 28, 2008

Can anyone tell us the actual advantages or disadvantages of DSC teaming with UofU so that we evaluate whether this is or isn't a good move?

The regents want it, the outgoing DSC president doesn't. Why?

SUU | 10:36 a.m. March 28, 2008

Itï¿½s humorous that DSC talks about a potential merge with SUU, because no one in cedar talks about any such serious possibilities. I just think itï¿½s amusing that this junior college grad makes it sound like a huge conspiracy that ï¿½stretches all the way to Washington D.C.ï¿½ï¿½ Really DCS is what it is, a miniature college that will ultimately grow into its own respectable university someday, someday.
Though I would like to say President Caldwell is a great business and family man. He will do excellent anywhere he lands next.

Dave | 11:24 a.m. March 28, 2008

Trent and John you are both ignorant to the facts concerning DSC. In thr future, get in touch with reality before you spout off.

Anonymous | 11:58 a.m. March 28, 2008

Wait Trent. Right on Dixie's website it states.. The Dixie State College Office of Institutional Advancement is responsible for facilitating the Collegeï¿½s fundraising efforts. Did you forget to include that in your post? I guess you have to hate on someone eh?

Dixie Alums in Pennsylvania | 12:51 p.m. March 28, 2008

As a Dixie alum I do not support in any way the affiliation of Dixie with the UofU as it is currently proposed. I am not against growth and believe that the affiliation with the U is good, but not at the expense of Dixie losing its status, its individualty, and its identity to become the 'Univ. of Utah St George'. IT IS WRONG and any Dixie alumni who is a true rebel should protest the proposed current UofU affiliation vehemently!!!

To Dave | 1:11 p.m. March 28, 2008

I understand if you don't agree with Trent, but I thought John posed good questions. He didn't make any ignorant statements regarding DSC, he just asked what the pros and cons are of merging. That is something I would like to know as well before I decide whether it will be a good move to merge with the U of U or not. Some one please let me know. Thank you.

To DSC Graduate | 1:39 p.m. March 28, 2008

If only you knew how little people at SUU even think about what happens at Dixie State. The competition for SUU is a completely different league than DSC. There are no conspiracies extending to D.C., no SUU politics in Washington County, etc. SUU is growing and has been leading the system in enrollment increases for the past several years. It has its role and is fulfilling it nicely. Dixie State needs to figure out what it is and where it's going. SUU will continue to move ahead.

Mistaken? | 3:47 p.m. March 28, 2008

From all I recall in the newspaper's it was Caldwell who was pushing for the U of U merge. I think I recall him pointing out the University of California and California State (UC / CS)system and how well it worked as a point of why Dixie should pursue the merge. At any rate I believe if he was forced out it was because he never lived up to his promises.
I believe the pitch that was made to legislators was that Dixie could become a 4 year institution with out seeking any more state funding. However, all they have done since becoming a 4 year institution is ask for more money. So in my opinion the State has bent over backwards to help Dixie and has yet to see a return on the investment. Since they haven't seen the return, they are seeking a change. Right now the easiest change is a new president.

cranky | 3:55 p.m. March 28, 2008

"The regents want it, the outgoing DSC president doesn't. Why?"

Where did you get the idea that President Caldwell didn't want it? He's the one who proposed it. In his first speech to the faculty and staff - when he was hired as Vice-President - he made it very clear he wanted DSC to model itself after the University of Utah.

Dave | 4:13 p.m. March 28, 2008

To the person who responded to Dave: John and Trent were both wrong and uninformed about the out going presidents stand on the potential affiliation wiht the U of U. President Caldwell has always supported that idea and fought hard to see it through. The college and community are losing a great friend and leader.

Current DSC student | 4:34 p.m. March 28, 2008

It is ridiculous that the Board of Regents would force President Caldwell to resign. He was doing his job which is to try and make the best possible thing happen for the students rather than follow with the Board of Regents agenda. Those concerned about the affiliation and the name change need to realize the negative image that the word Dixie has in other parts of the country. If people realized that then maybe they would realize that a name change might be good for the school

DSC Graduate | 4:47 p.m. March 28, 2008

If anyone needs evidence of SUU receiving favoritism from the Governor Leavitt days, feel free to go back and view state funding on a per pupil basis to SUU vs. DSC. There have been several instances when monies allocated to SUU for developing 4 year programs at DSC as an extension program were spent in other areas on the SUU campus without administration at SUU being held accountable. This evidence was one of many factors that DSC President Huddleston presented to the State in the battle for DSC to become a 4 year school..... Plenty of people at SUU think very much about how DSC enrollment and programs affect attendance at SUU.... it all comes down to money. I doubt students at SUU think about Dixie at all.... but when it comes to those managing the money, they think about DSC a great deal. FT Enrolled students equates to $$$.... If students have less options at DSC for 4 year programs, where are they looking next?.... follow the money. If you need evidence of a SUU/DSC merger, I challenge the press to ask the Board of Regents in the next press conference... but I doubt they will admit to it.

Keep the Dixie Name | 5:23 p.m. March 28, 2008

Whatever else may be done, it is critical NOT to let political correctness strip away any more of the unique and honorable local culture of Utah's Dixie.

The Dixie name must remain. UoU Dixie or something similar would be ok.

They've already renamed the Shenandoah dorms and removed the rebel mascot and now the rebel name. Keep the Dixie name and restore the rebel mascot.

Follow the Money | 5:43 p.m. March 28, 2008

To the DSC Graduate:
Yes, more students mean additional tuition revenue. But DSC did just fine this past legislative session (with the largest base funding increase of ALL institutions) as noted in today's Spectrum: the legislature "awarded DSC with an 8 percent increase in its base budget, $450,000 in its health care initiative, $500,000 towards the DSC-U of U partnership, $200,000 for its music program and one-time funding of $2.5 million to remodel the Jennings Building." It certainly helps to have some political mojo. . . .

John | 6:01 p.m. March 28, 2008

The reason I presumed the outgoing DSC President was against the Regent's DSC/UofU affiliation proposal was this from the article:

"Speculation is rampant that Caldwell raised the regents' ire because of his insistence that Dixie investigate an affiliation proposal with the University of Utah..."

So I asked for facts about the proposed affiliation since something apparently is not sitting right with Pres. Caldwell. I see no reason to ignore Pres. Caldwell's concern at this point.

PS: I didn't ask for diatribe however - just pertinent information.

A neighbor | 9:38 p.m. March 28, 2008

None of us many ever know the real story behind what is going on, but it is so sad to see people spreading untrue rumors.

It just hurts to hear people say the negative comments about Dr Caldwell not supporting the concept of the UofU alliance. Dixie didn't even know what an alliance was until he took office.

His dedication to the alliance concept has consumed him to the point that it has effected the time he was able to spend with his family.

Whatever the real reasons are, I would like Dr Caldwell to know that I highly respected him for his intellect and dedication. You won't find many people willing to do what he has done, especially in light of the lack of financial compensation.

We wish Dr Caldwell the best.

A proud Rebel | 9:54 p.m. March 28, 2008

To the current DSC Student: You need to look outside of Utah. As a student you should be more aware of the world. There is a State that takes pride in the name Dixie. On the licence plate it says "The Heart of Dixie". One of the High Schools in Huntsville Alabama has The Rebel as their Mascot. In fact there are High Schools and Colleges all around the country called Rebels. When you ask a person in Alabama, Mississippi or St. George Utah what Dixie means to them is Pride in their Heritage. St. George was referred to as the "Dixie Cotton Mission" when the settlement took palace. If Dixie is not politically correct then why is it proper to have the UTES of the U of U. Should the legislature in Utah change the name of Dixie State Park to That State Park in Southern Utah? Or the Dixie State Forest to the Woods of Southern Utah?

Silly | 11:35 p.m. March 28, 2008

Name changes mean taking away something that this community has had forever. I guess if we are going to change the name from Dixie College because it is offensive-let's just finish ticking off the people in St George by proposing they change DIXIE High school's name too-

I love DIXIE!!! | 12:02 a.m. March 29, 2008

I have not lived in Dixie for quite awhile and have been spending the last 10 years in the South and Northeast. When I first heard about the proposed name change I was so dissapointed. I heard many talk about the negative image that Dixie portrays so I have been taking polls ever since. I have yet to find one individual even among the african american population that finds the name offensive. I wear my Dixie hat everywhere I go and I quite often get positive comments. Dixie is our heritage, its the spirit that the community was founded on. Noboby finds the name offensive and if they did does it really matter? More importantly I have been looking for any way to support the name does anybody know of any efforts to gain support?

DSC Student | 8:15 p.m. March 29, 2008

I can't believe things are coming down to the name change again. When sentimentality hinders progress everyone loses. The Dixie name, at this point in time is more of an identity crisis for the school than it is an identity. The Dixie name was borrowed/stolen from the southern region. I recently went to a national competition with other students and many other schools thought we were from the South. Our identity is lost outside of quaint little Utah.

As a current, proud student of DSC who plans on staying for a four year degree, I am sick and tired of other people trying to tell me what's best for my education. Name change or not, the affiliation with the U is the best thing that could happen to the college. The Regents have their own agenda and could care less about the good of the students and the community down here.

I appreciate everything that President Caldwell has done, and regret that the Regents couldn't accept pure, unadulterated facts. You can put your money on it that the students, and faculty will not let this go quietly. You can count on that.

DSC Faculty Member | 4:36 p.m. March 30, 2008

"the students, and faculty will not let this go quietly. You can count on that."

Well said DSC Student. You are absolutly correct.

Spelling | 7:14 p.m. March 31, 2008

Before the faculty protest too much, let's get the spelling of "absolutely" right. How's that?

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