[Vision2020] University dollars

[Tom Hansen]

Mr. Strand -

Could you provide specific examples where the University of Idaho " . . .
takes business outside the community and outside the state . . . " and that
the purpose of this "business" would be better served in the local
community?

Example:  The UI researches whimsits in Location A.  Bringing this research
to Latah County would be beneficial to both UI and Moscow because . . . .

Tom Hansen

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bill Strand [mailto:strand@pacsim.com]
> Sent: Friday, August 01, 2003 1:11 PM
> To: thansen@moscow.com
> Cc: vision2020@moscow.com
> Subject: RE: [Vision2020] University dollars
>
>
> Tom,
>
> You wrote:
>
> "Another simple question:  How many local residents would suddenly find
> themselves unemployed if the University of Idaho closed down?"
>
> I'm not certain why we seem to get in this "either/or" type of
> discussion. The local business community acknowledges their dependency
> on the universities but this does not mean that the universities always
> act in the best interest of the community. When U of I takes business
> outside the community and outside the state, it hurts us as a community.
> Those are our tax dollars rushing out of the state.
>
> I am in no way anti-university. As I wrote earlier, I am a graduate of
> both universities, serve on advisory boards in both engineering colleges
> and am affiliate faculty at U of I. But I also support our local
> businesses (including the pharmacies). My dollars are spent locally -
> Sprenger Construction does all my building work and most of the cars I
> have owned were bought at local dealerships.
>
> So why are we sending our tax dollars to Beaverton Oregon? I want both
> my salary and tax dollars spent here in Moscow where it supports our
> schools and businesses.
>
> Bill Strand
>