There are two ways to look at his words

by BPH, San Diego, Tuesday, March 09, 2010, 15:53 (5935 days ago) @ Pat

That he's "greasing the skids" or otherwise preparing us to grow accustomed to a path that will eventually lead to conference affiliation.

Or that he's simply being honest, and that he and the administration do indeed deeply value our independence but that there are indeed serious external forces that could dramatically alter the current landscape and force ND to make very difficult decisions.

In the end, they are simply words. In the end, Swarbrick should be judged on his actions.