$1 Million Of Frugal Librarian's Bequest To N.H. School Goes To Football Scoreboard

[Sherman A1]

News that late librarian Robert Morin left the University of New Hampshire $4 million has been hailed as a symbol of Morin's dedication and generosity. But the school's decision to spend $1 million of that money on a new video scoreboard for the football stadium is being criticized.

"A life lived in frugality, spent frivolously" on a million-dollar scoreboard, one commenter wrote on a local newspaper site, calling the decision "an assault" on Morin's life. Other say it's simply a shame that more of the money didn't go to the university's Dimond Library, where Morin spent much of his life.

On the library's web site, a message next to a button reading "Make a Gift" explains that the library "depends on gifts to improve our collections, facilities, services, and programs for students, faculty, staff, and New Hampshire residents."

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/09/15/494134464/-1-million-of-frugal-librarians-bequest-to-n-h-school-goes-to-football-scoreboar

[Journeyman]

1. Well, at least it helps anyone else considering a donation to know the score . . .

[Arkansas Granny]

2. Good point.

[Sherman A1]

5. Agreed

perhaps they can turn that new video scoreboard into a giant e-reader and have classes in the stadium?

[JNelson6563]

3. Short-sighted fools.

They could have used this as an opportunity to encouraged more donations by doing something fabulous with the money. Idiots.

Well, they will pay down the road. Might as well go ahead and lay off any staff dedicated to fundraising. Their phone calls, e-mails and other efforts will go unanswered.

[Vinca]

4. Note to self: no gifts for UNH.

It's bad enough football coaches get rich off their salaries yet some professors can barely pay the rent. Maybe this explains the dumbing down of America and the Trump voter.

[bigwillq]

6. Did Mr. Morin specify what the money be spent on?

I didn't read the link.

[tammywammy]

7. Not all of it

School officials say the money for the library was the only "dedicated gift" in Morin's bequest, meaning that the rest of the estate was unrestricted; Deborah Dutton, vice president for advancement and president of the UNH Foundation, says, "Unrestricted gifts give the university the ability to use the funds for our highest priorities and emerging opportunities."

[bigwillq]

8. Ok. Thanks.

I am fine with how the school spent the money then.

[get the red out]

9. I'm sure there was a "higher priority"

I think that part deserves criticism.

[JackintheGreen]

10. I'm not so sure

A million dollar scoreboard will surely vault UNH into the highest ranks of Div I competition.

[LWolf]

11. Because scoreboards

and sports paraphernalia are their "highest priorities."