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Blanchard begins in earnest July 1st.

he's done a couple of interviews, imagine he's taking in the lay of the land

I would think if he's going to take action on this VP strucutre cop out that Jane set up, he would do it soon, otherwise I believe he'll just go with the flow

it'll be a huge indicator on how he approaches the job. forge a path or fit in to the status quo University?

Long Beach is unique in D1 Cal States in this idiotic set up that insulates the AD from the President, basically sends a message about athletic priorities

sigh, not really expecting any change, and the fact Smitherin was extended probably speaks volumes

cannot believe that the extension was not made without Apel discussion with Blanchard, so there you go.

to me and it's only one decision, just indicates Blanchard is a cog, granted it's one decision, just it's a significant one.

Jane came in talking name change to LBSU, saying she was data driven, and within her first two years it was clear she was not going to drive a name change in earnest and proceeded to fill the first two years with endless lecturing to the Long Beach communicity with politifally blase and tripe 'memo' type lecture pronouncements, and ending up throwing up her arms about athletics the last half of her admin

it's not that a President cannot emphasize athletics. SDSU, Fresno, Cal Poly, and now even Sac State somehow have had Presidents who can do so, and not get 'reigned in' by the Chancelor. what makes Long Beach seemingly such a poster child for being somewhat of a status quo 'don't get too big for your britches' and 'think you are special' and differentiate yourself Cal State?

either become just a Cal State LA or become a unique Long Beach State. the Fall Semester will be pretty telling.

question is what circles does he hang out in? If it's the Cal State bureaucracy network, dommed to the former. If he's actually out in the Long Beach region and talking to business people, boosters, professionals one would think it's the latter.

Jane's tenure was basically a long retirement gift to her, Blanchard's I fear will be similar. but maybe there is hope.