Big Picture!
With all of the speculation, (mis!?)-information and just plain guesswork on this thread, it would be a perfect opportunity for FD/F+ to assign a LURKER to this forum.
In the short term, such a lurker could much more quickly and easily dispel or confirm info posted here about the proposed changes.
In the long-term, such a lurker could provide the new program an effective and FREE sounding board, by fielding FT questions and concerns. The BA and Starwood forums are unquestionagly more valuable to FTers and to THOSE programs because their lurkers are accessible and informative/accurate.
Open and effective communication should be a hallmark of the new program, and appointing a Fd/F+ Lurker would be a crucial first step in achieving that important goal.