[Vision2020] University dollars

[Bill Strand]

Tim,

We started our business here because of the universities (I am a
graduate of both U of I and WSU). I serve on advisory boards at both
universities and my wife is employed at U of I. We hire predominately
from the engineering departments here.

Having said that, I don't agree with all university decisions and how
they interact with the community. For example - this month the U of I
decided to encourage all their employees to mail order their medications
from Oregon rather than purchase via local pharmacies (up to 40%
discount on their co-pay). Don't you think that affected our local
pharmacies? That is our local taxes going out-of-state.

Recently, the U of I attempted to put through a plan to have contract
dentists come into town to handle all U of I business. You can imagine
the stink that raised among the local dentists. And how about local
contractors for campus construction? 

What is necessary is a thriving business community AND a healthy
university. If property taxes continue to rise, potential faculty will
take one look at that, and look other places for employment.

Businesses need to consider what is best for the universities and
universities need to consider what is best for the local businesses. If
we get into a situation of everybody grabbing all they can carry, we all
lose.

Bill Strand