<p>Talking with my son last night about being back at KP and he said that it is rather turbulent there right now. He said that Admiral Stewart will be leaving in October and he wasn't sure who else was going. Budget seems to be getting worse and worse. No fuel for the KP'er and other waterfront activites. He also said quite calmly that it was possible for the gov. to shut down KP and move the mids to CGA or to the state schools. </p>
<p>Is there any other chatter out there about what is going on at KP?</p>
<p>J2010,
The only thing I've heard related to this is from a recent graduate who is under the impression that funds will be handled directly by DOT and that things are getting straigtened out at KP. He's under the impression that things are improving slowly but improving.
I hope he's right.
Another concerned Dad</p>
<p>My s, new to the school, also said he heard that they might be the last class. I told him that rumors have been around forever, going back to Jimmy Carter's days. The government has posted a job description for a replacement for VADM Stewart. With the oil crisis, shipping is more important than ever -- the least expensive way to move goods compared to trucking and rail. Let's help the students focus on their work and ignore the rumors.</p>
<p>for all the 2012 parents:
this conversation/concern is voiced about twice a year. every year.</p>
<p>this year, there are some developments that cause concern, Stewart retiring, the assist. super. leaving etc. however, if you read the senate report on all that, the concern was that the students were taken care of and that financially things where in order etc. (see the related postings on that)</p>
<p>KP is not going anywhere. your kids are fine</p>
<p>if anything i would say conditions around here are improving. leadership is in shambles right now, but they're working on that. they are about to finish a brand new Navy Exchange on campus, they're installing all new washing machines and dryers in the laundry rooms, our laundry service has gotten better, food is still hit or miss, we've got more access to proper cleaning supplies, a better system for books for classes, etc...
it's slow, but improvements in the quality of life are being made.
i do foresee many more changes taking place, but we're not going anywhere</p>
<p>I've heard rumors of the demise of KP since the mid '70s. The money situation seems to be much worse this time around. A maritime school that cannot use their major teaching tool (the Kingspointer) because of no fuel or $$$ to buy fuel is just wrong. Admiral Stewart being allegedly forced out due to financial improprieties in shifting funds to keep the school going is just the tip of the iceburg of the problems facing KP. Without political leadership to take the school into future and to gain the necessary solid financial standing to keep the school the premier maritime teaching institute is the kiss of death. The real lack of leadership comes from the DOT, not realizing the importance of the great school under their aegis. </p>
<p>I realize that most of these discussions in the past have been shrouded in political veils of blaming one party or the other. We need to get past that make sure that everyone in Washington is fully supporting KP as the national treasure that it is.</p>
<p>I don't think the question is support of KP these days. The current problem is stemming from financial things. DOT wants more oversight at this time and therefore it is taking on more direct control of finances. </p>
<p>Give this some time, allow a new Supe to be selected and put in place and then go from there. I am hopeful that by the end of this academic year things will get back to normal. I think it will take at least that long as things move very slowly in DC.</p>
<p>instead of talking about it , do something. I wrote to our congressman about the kings pointer not having funds for fuel and got a great letter back thanking me for the info...his response and the detail it included assured me his staff had researched the issue and would make it a priority...gosh with all they have to deal with right now, I do not expect a lot....but at least I got his attention, and you could do the same</p>
<p>i'm sure by now most people know that admiral stewart and capt allee are leaving KP because they were told to do such. The allocation os government funding has been as they saw fit. I'm not saying they did anything bad by shuttling more money into the athletics program or the NAFI programs, but they were not doing what they were supposed to be doing.</p>
<p>Thank you for contacting me to share your thoughts about funding levels for the United States Merchant Marine Academy. I appreciate hearing from you.</p>
<p>Your support for the academy is commendable. The Merchant Marine Academy plays an important role in training the future leaders of our nation's maritime industry. Its history and continuing contributions make it an important part of the nation's homeland security and national defense infrastructures. Its important mission is one I fully support.</p>
<p>As you may know, the Merchant Marine Reauthorization Act (S. 2997) was recently reported out of committee favorably and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate. While I am not certain about when this legislation might be considered, there is a chance that it could be brought up during the Senate's consideration of the fiscal year 2009 National Defense Authorization Act. You can be certain that I will keep your comments in mind whenever this topic is brought up.</p>
<p>Finally, decisions about annual funding levels fall to the appropriations committees in both chambers of Congress. While I do not serve on that committee here in the Senate you can be certain that I will pass your comments along to my colleagues who sit on that committee.</p>
<p>I was partially under the impression that while VADM Stewart may not have been using the funds as directed...he wasn't buying himself a ferrari but rather buying heating oil...other necessities that maybe there was not enough money for, that sort of thing.</p>
<p>Of interest - please see Sec.2. of link below.</p>
<p>For what it's worth, it is my understanding Senate may consider the Defense Authorization Bill before the August recess, and a plan proposed may be to offer the MARAD authorization bill as a floor amendment to the DoD bill. </p>
<p>thanks OldAirForce for sharing...here is Congressman Tom Price response to specifically the funding for the Kings Pointer. I probably got to specific in my question, but it was a start: </p>
<p>Thank you for contacting me for the funding of the Training Vessel Kings Pointer.
Your concern for the funding of the Kings Pointer is appreciated. The United States Merchant Marine Academy serves a vital purpose to our country by training our young men and women to serve in the Merchant Marine, the maritime industry, and our Armed Services. The Kings Pointer plays an important role in that training by offering the Midshipmen an opportunity to gain hands on experience with navigating and handling a ship at sea. While the rising cost of fuel forces greater scrutiny over the allocation of training funds, we should be mindful of the need to provide the necessary preparation and instruction for our uniformed services. As Congress begins to debate spending for the upcoming fiscal year, I will be certain that the needs of the Merchant Marine are adequately addressed.</p>
<p>Thank you agaib foir sharibg your thughts and concerns. Please know that I will keep your views in mind as I continue to monitor the situation.</p>
<p>Very truly
Tom Price, M.D.
Member of Congress</p>
<p>Would Kings Point accept a donation of oil for the Kings Pointer from an oil company? It might be a good PR things for Exxon/Mobil or Hess to do.</p>
<p>Kings Point would accept any donation given to them :) (I say that only half jokingly) </p>
<p>Not a bad idea though...if they sent the info out to alumni that they were lacking fuel for the ship I'm sure there are more than a few who could make that happen. Unfortunately alumni are left in the dark for the most part these days. Info out of the alumni association has been slow to come out.</p>
<p>CJ and OldAirforce............I received almost an idential response from Virginia's Mark Warner......hmmmmmmmm very funny, I think they must copy and paste :)</p>
<p>I would bet that when they got my letter they said ............I received almost an identical response from xxxxxxxxxxxx......hmmmmmmmm very funny, I think they must copy and paste.</p>