(President Joanne Glasser delivered the following prepared remarks before responding to questions at two "Conversation with the President" sessions in Walnut Hall Wednesday, Jan. 16.)

GOOD MORNING/AFTERNOON. I AM SO VERY PLEASED THAT YOU HAVE JOINED ME FOR WHAT I HOPE WILL BE A LONG, PRODUCTIVE SERIES OF REGULAR CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR UNIVERSITY.

AS I TOLD YOU IN NOVEMBER, I AM COMMITTED TO PROVIDING TIMELY, ACCURATE INFORMATION AND CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY TO HAVE INPUT INTO THE IMPORTANT DECISIONS WE WILL MAKE TOGETHER.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THOSE DECISIONS WILL ALWAYS BE MADE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE UNIVERSITY.

PERHAPS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE OUR CAMPUS WILL FACE IN THE COMING MONTHS IS THE BUDGET.

AS YOU KNOW, THE SPECIFICS FOR THE 2002-2004 BUDGET HAVE NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED.

WE HAVE COMMUNICATED OUR NEEDS TO THE COUNCIL ON POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, AND C-P-E HAS PRESENTED ITS RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNOR PAUL PATTON.

NEXT TUESDAY, THE GOVERNOR WILL PRESENT HIS BUDGET TO THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

AFTER THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY APPROVES THE STATE BUDGET, WE WILL BE ABLE TO FINALIZE AND SHARE BUDGET INSTRUCTIONS WITH THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY.

THIS WILL BE SOMETIME IN APRIL.

GOVERNOR PATTON CONTINUES TO MAKE EDUCATION A HIGH PRIORITY, AND WE HAVE EXPRESSED OUR APPRECIATION TO HIM. WE WILL SUPPORT THE BUDGET HE RECOMMENDS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

AS YOU KNOW, OUR CURRENT STATE APPROPRIATION WAS REDUCED BY ABOUT TWO PERCENT.

WE WERE PREPARED FOR THIS REDUCTION, AND WE HAVE MADE EVERY EFFORT TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT ON THE QUALITY OF OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO OUR STUDENTS.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW MUCH I APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S PARTICIPATION AND COOPERATION IN THIS PROCESS.

LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT YEAR AND TO THE POSSIBILITY OF ANOTHER STATE REVENUE SHORTFALL, I THOUGHT IT WISE AND PRUDENT TO BE PROACTIVE AND ASK THE ADMINISTRATIVE COUNCIL AND THE PROVOST'S COUNCIL TO DEVELOP A PLAN THAT REFLECTS A THREE PERCENT REDUCTION IN THE 2002-2003 STATE APPROPRIATION.

IF THE STATE CALLS FOR A BUDGET REDUCTION, WE WILL BE PREPARED. IF STATE REVENUES ARE UP AND A REDUCTION IS NOT NECESSARY, WE WILL HAVE ESTABLISHED A POOL OF FUNDS FROM WHICH TO ADDRESS OUR PRIORITIES.

I HAVE ALSO ASKED OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING AND BUDGETING COMMITTEE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING NEXT YEAR'S FUNDING PRIORITIES.

I CERTAINLY WELCOME AND ENCOURAGE YOUR INPUT.

THE EARLY INDICATIONS ARE THAT THERE WILL BE LITTLE, IF ANY, INCREASE IN STATE APPROPRIATIONS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

FOR OUR CAMPUS, THAT COULD MEAN NO NEW MONEY FROM THE STATE … AND THAT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION EFFORTS - AND THE RESULTING REVENUE THAT NEWS STUDENTS WILL BRING -- ARE EVEN MORE IMPORTANT IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

HOWEVER, REGARDLESS OF THE LEVEL OF STATE SUPPORT, WE MUST CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS. WE MUST REMEMBER THAT E-K-U IS NOT ALONE. ALL OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, AND OTHER STATE AGENCIES, HAVE BEEN AND WILL BE AFFECTED AND ASKED TO DO THEIR FAIR SHARE.

WE MUST REMEMBER GOVERNOR PATTON'S COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION REFORM … AND THE SUPPORT HE HAS PROVIDED EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS.

WE ALSO MUST REMEMBER THAT THIS PERIOD OF FINANCIAL UNCERTAINTY IN KENTUCKY WILL PASS AND THE STATE'S FINANCIAL CONDITION WILL IMPROVE.

WE WILL MEET THIS CHALLENGE IF WE ALL WORK TOGETHER.

MY FUNDING PRIORITIES FOR THE COMING YEAR ARE VERY CLEAR, AND I WANT TO SHARE THEM WITH YOU.

MY HIGHEST PRIORITY WILL BE - TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE - PROTECTING "BASE BUDGET-FUNDED" POSITIONS. I WILL TRY MY VERY BEST TO MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE JOBS.

THIS IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO ME.

HOWEVER, I MUST POINT OUT THAT SOME POSITIONS FUNDED BY OUTSIDE "GRANTS AND CONTRACTS" - ESPECIALLY THOSE UNDERWRITTEN BY THE STATE - MAY NOT BE CONTINUED. WE WILL SIMPLY HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT DEVELOPS.

I ALSO AM COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE WHILE MINIMIZING INCREASING COSTS TO OUR EMPLOYEES. THIS, TOO, IS A HIGH PRIORITY FOR ME.

FINALLY, IF RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FROM NEW MONIES OR REALLOCATIONS, I WILL TRY MY VERY BEST TO PROVIDE SOME SALARY INCREASE TO OUR HARD-WORKING, DEDICATED FACULTY AND STAFF.

WE MUST PLAN CAREFULLY … ENCOURAGE GOOD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, FINANCIAL SOUNDNESS AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY … AND BE INNOVATIVE IN OUR APPROACH TO BUDGETING.

ONE SUCH INNOVATION IS A CHANGE IN THE CURRENT "BUDGET CARRY OVER" PRACTICE.

AT THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR, ANY UNUSED DEPARTMENTAL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATING FUNDS AND DOLLAR SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIP BUDGETS MAY BE CARRIED FORWARD INTO THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

OPERATING ACCOUNTS PARTIALLY SUPPORTED BY SPECIFIC REVENUE ACCOUNTS WILL ALSO ROLL ANY EXCESS OR DEFICIT REVENUE OVER BUDGET AMOUNTS.

I HOPE THAT THIS WILL ENCOURAGE MORE THOUGHTFUL EXPENDITURES AND GIVE ACCOUNT MANAGERS THE FLEXIBILITY TO ACCUMULATE FUNDS OVER TWO OR MORE YEARS TO ADDRESS NEEDS.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL WAYS TO PROVIDE GREATER FLEXIBILITY IN BUDGETING, PARTICULARLY DURING THESE LEAN TIMES.

EARLIER I MENTIONED THE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND BUDGETING COMMITTEE.

THIS COMMITTEE HAS GENERAL, CAMPUS-WIDE REPRESENTATION AND HAS BEEN WORKING SINCE LAST FEBRUARY TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR E-K-U.

I WANT TO STRESS HOW VERY IMPORTANT THIS WORK IS TO THE FUTURE OF OUR UNIVERSITY. THE PLAN THE COMMITTEE WILL RECOMMEND WILL BE A "LIVING DOCUMENT" … IT WILL BE OUR "ROAD MAP" TO A BRIGHT AND PROMISING FUTURE.

THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROCESS, AND THE COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO LOOK FOR INPUT FROM FACULTY … STAFF … AND STUDENTS. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND SUGGESTIONS WITH MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.

THE TIMELINE FOR DEVELOPING OUR STRATEGIC PLAN PROVIDES FOR A FORMAL REVIEW OF THE PLAN BY THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY IN MARCH AND APRIL … BY THE BOARD OF REGENTS IN JUNE … AND FINAL APPROVAL BY THE REGENTS AT THEIR AUGUST MEETING.

I KNOW YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE STATUS OF OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS.

I AM PLEASED TO REPORT TO YOU THAT WE ARE ON TRACK TO MOVE INTO THE NEW "STUDENT SERVICES BUILDING" IN EARLY SUMMER. WE HOPE TO HAVE A FORMAL "RIBBON CUTTING" CEREMONY LATER IN THE YEAR.

I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY AND HOW IT WILL HELP US BE MORE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE IN SERVING OUR STUDENTS.

THE NEW "DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING BUILDING" IS WELL UNDERWAY IN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMPLEX ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CAMPUS. IT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN LATE JULY OR EARLY AUGUST.

THIS WILL FREE SPACE IN MATTOX HALL, WHICH CURRENTLY HOUSES CADETS ENROLLED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING PROGRAM.

C-P-E HAS RECOMMENDED FUNDING FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE DONOVAN BUILDING, DONOVAN ANNEX AND MATTOX HALL, WHICH TOGETHER WILL HOUSE THE NEW "CENTER FOR THE RENEWAL OF SCHOOLS AND THE EDUCATION PROFESSIONS" AND PROVIDE A NEW HOME FOR OUR COLLEGE OF EDUCATION.

WE MUST WAIT TO SEE IF THIS PROJECT IS INCLUDED IN THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET RECOMMENDATION … AND APPROVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

C-P-E DID NOT RECOMMEND FUNDING FOR OUR "PHASE TWO" PROJECTS - THE PROPOSED "BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY CENTER" … THE "SOUTHEAST KENTUCKY POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION CENTER" IN CORBIN … AND THE "STUDENT WELLNESS BUILDING."

AGAIN, WE MUST WAIT TO SEE IF THEY ARE INCLUDED IN GOVERNOR PATTON'S BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS AND/OR ADDRESSED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY LATER IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW, HOWEVER, THAT I INTEND TO MOVE AHEAD WITH THE "STUDENT WELLNESS CENTER" PROJECT, WHICH HAS BEEN A STUDENT PRIORITY FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

CONSTRUCTION WILL BE FUNDED WITH THE SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED FOR THIS PROJECT.

RECENTLY, WE TOOK SEVERAL MEMBERS OF OUR FACULTY AND STAFF TO GEORGETOWN COLLEGE TO SEE A FACILITY SIMILAR TO WHAT WE ENVISION FOR EASTERN.

WE WERE IMPRESSED BY WHAT WE SAW.
I HAVE ASKED DOCTOR RITA DAVIS AND A COMMITTEE TO BEGIN PLANNING FOR THE NEW CENTER.

WE BELIEVE OUR NEW BUILDING CAN OFFER BASKETBALL AND MULTIPURPOSE COURTS … A WEIGHTS AND FITNESS AREA …AEROBIC, DANCE AND MARTIAL ARTS AREAS … RACQUETBALL COURTS …
AND AN INDOOR TRACK … AMONG OTHER AREAS.

I SEE THIS NEW FACILITY AS YET ANOTHER WAY TO SERVE STUDENTS … AND AS A WONDERFUL RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION TOOL.

WE HOPE TO PRESENT ARCHITECT'S PLANS TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR APPROVAL IN APRIL. CONSTRUCTION COULD BEGIN AS EARLY AS THIS COMING SUMMER.

I AM ALSO PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT ARCHITECTS ARE WORKING ON A PLAN TO RENOVATE COMBS RESIDENCE HALL. THIS PROJECT WILL CREATE RESIDENTIAL SUITES FOR 164 STUDENTS. WORK WILL BEGIN THIS SUMMER, AND COMPLETION IS EXPECTED IN THE FALL OF 2003.

AS YOU KNOW, THE CURRENT SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BEGAN LAST WEEK, AND SEVERAL OF US SPENT THREE OF THE FIRST FOUR DAYS OF THE SESSION IN FRANKFORT, EXPRESSING OUR SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNOR'S PROGRAMS AND SHARING WITH LEGISLATORS E-K-U'S MANY CONTRIBUTIONS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL KENTUCKIANS.

WE ARE WATCHING THE SESSION VERY CLOSELY, AND WE WILL KEEP YOU ADVISED OF LEGISLATION THAT AFFECTS OUR CAMPUS.

I HOPE THAT YOU, TOO, WILL FOLLOW THE SESSION AND ALERT VICE PRESIDENT JIM CLARK TO ITEMS WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF SO THAT OUR RESPONSE MAY BE COORDINATED.

I WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK REPRESENTATIVE HARRY MOBERLY AND SENATOR ED WORLEY FOR THEIR CONTINUING LEADERSHIP … SUPPORT … AND ALL THEY DO FOR E-K-U AND THE COMMONWEALTH.

IN NOVEMBER, I STRESSED TO YOU MY COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY … TO CREATING A CLIMATE OF INCLUSIVENESS AND AN ENVIRONMENT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL WHO WANT TO STUDY ON OUR CAMPUS OR TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

OUR DIVERSITY COMMITTEE - WHICH IS HEADED BY PROFESSORS MARTA MIRANDA AND MICHAEL FOSTER - IS WORKING TO DEVELOP A CAMPUS-WIDE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR DIVERSITY.

I LOOK FORWARD TO REVIEWING THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS, WHICH I WILL SHARE WITH YOU AT A LATER DATE.

WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS IN THIS IMPORTANT AREA.

I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT OUR TOTAL WORKFORCE POPULATION REFLECTS AN IMPROVEMENT OF NEARLY TWO PERCENT (1.85%) FROM NOVEMBER 2000 TO DECEMBER 2001 OF ALL MINORITY EMPLOYEES.

A RECENT REPORT SHOWED AN OVERALL INCREASE IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF MINORITY FACULTY … PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES … AND TECHNICAL/PARAPROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES.

THE NUMBER OF MINORITY EXECUTIVE, ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES DECREASED SLIGHTLY (1.6%), AS DID THE NUMBER OF OFFICE AND CLERICAL EMPLOYEES (.16%).

THE NUMBER OF MINORITY SKILLED CRAFT AND SERVICE/MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEES REMAINED CONSTANT.

WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO INCREASING THE DIVERSITY OF OUR UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH PERIODIC UPDATES OF OUR PROGRESS.

AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT, RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION WILL CONTINUE TO BE A TOP PRIORITY FOR THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY.

I WANT TO STRESS THAT IT IS EVERYONE'S JOB TO HELP RECRUIT … RETAIN …AND GRADUATE OUR STUDENTS.

WE MUST AGGRESSIVELY IDENTIFY AND RECRUIT NEW STUDENTS … BOTH TRADITIONAL AS WELL AS NON-TRADITIONAL "ADULT" LEARNERS.

WE MUST CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR INNOVATIVE WAYS TO ATTRACT STUDENTS TO OUR CAMPUS …

THROUGH SUCH PROGRAMS AS THE "TUITION REDUCTION PROGRAM" FOR QUALIFIED OUT-OF-STATE STUDENTS.

WE MUST EXPAND EFFORTS TO BRING PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS TO THE CAMPUS … THROUGH SUCH EVENTS AS "SPOTLIGHT" … "FUTURE TEACHER DAYS" … "GOVERNOR'S SCHOLARS" … AND OTHERS.

ONCE WE RECRUIT A STUDENT, WE MUST WORK HARD TO RETAIN HIM OR HER. WE MUST PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY CUSTOMER SERVICE … INNOVATIVE ACADEMIC PROGRAMS … SOLID ADVISING …
AND A QUALITY LEARNING AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT.

LIKE RECRUITMENT, RETENTION MUST BECOME EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY. STUDENTS MUST KNOW THAT THEY COME FIRST IN ALL WE DO … AND THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO THEIR SUCCESS.

I AM PLEASED THAT WE MET OUR RETENTION GOAL FOR THE FALL SEMESTER AND, EVEN THOUGH WE FELL JUST SHORT OF OUR ENROLLMENT GOAL, I BELIEVE WE HAVE REVERSED THE TREND OF DECLINING ENROLLMENTS.

THIS PAST FALL, 14,697 STUDENTS ENROLLED FOR CLASSES ON CAMPUS, AT OUR CENTERS, OR AT OTHER SITES WHERE WE OFFER CLASSES.

PRELIMINARY DATA SHOW 12,694 STUDENTS ENROLLED FOR THE SPRING TERM.

THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS FOR FALL 2002 ALSO HAS INCREASED SLIGHTLY, AS HAVE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WE HAVE ALREADY ADMITTED FOR NEXT FALL.

THIS IS PROGRESS … BUT STILL WE MUST DO MORE. I, PERSONALLY, WILL TAKE A VERY ACTIVE ROLE IN OUR EXPANDED RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION ACTIVITIES. I ASK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO JOIN ME IN THIS SPECIAL EFFORT.

CERTAINLY WE WILL CONTINUE TO SHARE INFORMATION WITH YOU ABOUT THESE MOST IMPORTANT EFFORTS.
WITH OUR CONTINUING EMPHASIS ON MEETING STUDENT NEEDS - AND TO BETTER SERVE OUR NON-TRADITIONAL, COMMUTER AND WORKING STUDENTS - I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, WE WILL EXTEND THE OFFICE HOURS TO SIX O'CLOCK, MONDAY THROUGH THURSDAY OF SUCH CRITICAL STUDENT SERVICE UNITS AS ADMISSIONS … ADVISING … BILLINGS AND COLLECTIONS … CAREER SERVICES … FINANCIAL AID … HOUSING … AND STUDENT SUCCESS INSTITUTE … AMONG OTHERS.

THIS RECOMMENDATION COMES TO US FROM DOCTOR RITA DAVIS AND THE STUDENT SUCCESS COUNCIL.

I APPLAUD THIS INITIATIVE, AND I CHALLENGE THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY TO CONTINUE TO FIND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO BETTER SERVE ALL OUR STUDENTS.

I AM SO PROUD TO REPORT TO YOU THAT IT APPEARS OUR RESIDENTIAL LIVING AND LEARNING PROGRAM, "CONNEXTIONS" IS A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS …

SO MUCH SO THAT THE STUDENT AFFAIRS STAFF IS ALREADY AT WORK REFINING AND EXPANDING THE PROGRAM.

NEXT YEAR WE HOPE TO HAVE "NON-TRADITIONAL" AND "MULTI-CULTURAL" LIVING AREAS, AMONG OTHERS.

THIS INNOVATIVE PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON RETENTION.

OUR STUDENT AFFAIRS STAFF ALSO IS WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE TEACHING AND LEARNING CENTER TO DEVELOP A SERIES OF SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS FOR OUR STUDENTS. EFFORTS ALSO ARE UNDERWAY TO EXPAND THE EMERGING LEADERS INSTITUTE.

WE ALSO CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL WAYS TO MAKE THE POWELL BUILDING MORE "STUDENT FRIENDLY," INCLUDING A NEW "NON-TRADITIONAL AND COMMUTER" LOUNGE.

THIS FALL, IN AN EFFORT TO EXPAND THE LEVEL OF SERVICE TO STUDENTS AT OUR EXTENDED CAMPUS CENTERS, THE STUDENT AFFAIRS STAFF WILL TAKE EXPANDED CAREER SERVICES …
COUNSELING SERVICES … AND HEALTH SERVICES TO CORBIN, DANVILLE AND MANCHESTER.

NO MATTER WHERE THEY STUDY … E-K-U STUDENTS MUST KNOW THAT THEY ARE OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY … AND THAT WE WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.

STUDENTS COME FIRST!

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I NOTICED WHEN I ARRIVED ON THE CAMPUS WAS THAT THE FACULTY DID NOT HAVE A CONVENIENT GATHERING PLACE TO HAVE LUNCH … SOCIALIZE … AND ENGAGE EACH OTHER IN THE ISSUES OF THE DAY.

THEY DO NOW.

THANKS TO EFFORTS BY FACULTY SENATE PRESIDENT PAM SCHLOMANN AND FOOD SERVICES DIRECTOR DAVE FREELAND, THE FACULTY DINING ROOM ON THE TOP FLOOR OF THE POWELL BUILDING HAS BEEN REOPENED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.

FROM 11 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING, UNTIL 2 O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, YOU CAN "BROWN BAG" … PURCHASE DRINKS, SANDWICHES, SALADS ALA CARTE … OR GO THROUGH THE "FRESH FOOD COMPANY'S" ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT AREA AND CARRY YOUR TRAY BACK INTO THE ROOM.

I HOPE THAT OUR FACULTY WILL FIND THIS A PLEASANT ENVIRONMENT TO RELAX, ENJOY YOUR MEAL, AND SPEND TIME WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES.

AS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, S-A-C-S HAS DEVELOPED NEW PRINCIPLES OF ACCREDITATION, WITH A FOCUS ON INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS AND ASSESSMENT.

AS A RESULT, OUR REACCREDITATION VISIT HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL 2007.

RECENTLY, PROVOST MIKE MARSDEN … DOCTOR LIBBY WACHTEL … DOCTOR KAREN CAREY … DOCTOR PAM SCHLOMANN … DOCTOR MERITA THOMPSON … DOCTOR VIRGINIA FALKENBERG … AND I ATTENDED A MEETING TO LEARN ABOUT THESE NEW STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES.

WE ARE BEGINNING TO LOOK AT THIS NEW CRITERIA IN PREPARATION FOR OUR CAMPUS REVIEW, WHICH WILL BEGIN IN 2005.

I WILL BE APPOINTING A CAMPUS LIAISON IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO COORDINATE THIS PROCESS, WHICH WILL USE MODELS FROM BRADFORD UNIVERSITY … EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY … AND TRANSYLVANIA UNIVERSITY, ALL WHICH ARE BEING REVIEWED UNDER THE NEW CRITERIA.

CRITICAL TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR EFFORTS WILL BE THE WORK BY THE STRATEGIC PLANNING AND BUDGETING COMMITTEE … WITH INPUT FROM THE ENTIRE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY … IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN … AND WE ARE WELL ON OUR WAY.

WE'LL HAVE MORE TO SAY ABOUT REACCREDITION IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

THIS PAST FALL, E-K-U BEGAN LOOKING AT A COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT ISSUE - USE OF ALCOHOL ON CAMPUS.

WHEN I ASSUMED THE E-K-U PRESIDENCY, I LEARNED THAT A TASK FORCE HAD BEEN APPOINTED TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE AND TO RECOMMEND A POLICY FOR THE CAMPUS.

THAT TASK FORCE IS CURRENTLY AT WORK, AND I ANTICIPATE RECEIVING THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS LATER THIS SPRING.

IF YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS, I HOPE THAT YOU WILL SHARE THEM WITH THE GROUP, WHICH IS CHAIRED BY DOCTOR GAYLE DENHAM.

RECENTLY, I RECEIVED A GRAND JURY REPORT THAT WAS HIGHLY CRITICAL OF THE NEW CROSSWALK AT LANCASTER AVENUE.

SPECIFICALLY, THE REPORT FOCUSED ON THE DISRUPTION OF TRAFFIC FLOW … THE IMPACT ON THE ABILITY OF POLICE, FIRE, AMBULANCE AND OTHER EMERGENCY VEHICLES TO MANEUVER ON LANCASTER AVENUE … AND THE NEGATIVE IMPACT ON BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE REPORT RECOMMENDS THAT THE CURRENT CROSSWALK BE REMOVED AND THAT ALTERNATIVES BE CONSIDERED.

THIS IS A MOST DIFFICULT SITUATION. WE MUST WORK TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR STUDENTS WHILE REMAINING SENSITIVE TO THE CONCERNS OF THE RICHMOND COMMUNITY.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK WITH THE CITY OF RICHMOND … THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION … AND VARIOUS CAMPUS ENTITIES SUCH AS PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION TO FIND ALTERNATIVES TO THE CROSSWALK SITUATION.

WE WILL KEEP YOU INFORMED ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.

STUDENTS CONTINUE TO TELL US THAT THE LACK OF "CONVENIENT" PARKING IS AN ISSUE ON OUR CAMPUS. STUDENTS ALSO REPORT THAT THE EXISTING SHUTTLE BUS SCHEDULE IS INADEQUATE.

WE HAVE LOOKED INTO THIS MATTER, AND WE HAVE EXPANDED CAMPUS ROUTES TO BETTER MEET STUDENT NEEDS.

TWO ROUTES ARE NOW IN PLACE. THE FIRST ROUTE WILL RUN FROM ALUMNI COLISEUM TO THE STRATTON AND FUNDERBURK BUILDINGS.

THE SECOND ROUTE WILL RUN FROM KEENE HALL AND THE OUTLYING PARKING LOTS AT THE ASHLAND AND PERKINS BUILDINGS, UP KIT CARSON DRIVE TO THE BEGLEY AND WALLACE BUILDINGS … AND DOWN TO THE BAPTIST STUDENT CENTER.

THE NEW SCHEDULE WILL BE PUBLISHED IN THE EASTERN PROGRESS AND THE EKU UPDATE. WE HOPE THAT STUDENTS WILL FIND THIS SCHEDULE MORE CONVENIENT TO THEIR NEEDS.

WITH AN EVER-INCREASING NUMBER OF CAMPUS EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, SCHEDULING HAS BECOME A MAJOR PROBLEM.

I HAVE ASKED VICE PRESIDENT WHITLOCK TO LOOK FOR A WAY TO ENHANCE THE COORDINATION OF SCHEDULING CAMPUS EVENTS SO THAT MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENTS THAT INTEREST THEM.

WE ARE CONSIDERING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A MASTER SCHEDULING PLAN AND/OR A NEW MASTER CALENDAR.

ONCE A NEW SYSTEM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED, WE WILL SHARE THE DETAILS WITH YOU. IF YOU HAVE SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE SHARE THEM WITH DOCTOR WHITLOCK.

I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PUBLICLY EXPRESS MY GREAT PRIDE IN OUR STUDENT ATHLETES … ESPECIALLY ZOEY ARTIST OF OUR WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM AND BRAD MORRIS OF THE MEN'S GOLF TEAM.

ZOEY AND BRAD HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED AS OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP ATHLETES.
AN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS PROGRAM CAN ADD SO MUCH TO A UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL JOIN WITH ME IN SUPPORTING ALL OUR STUDENT ATHLETES.

AS YOU KNOW, WE ARE PLANNING AN INAUGURATION CEREMONY FOR FRIDAY, MARCH EIGHTH, AT THREE O'CLOCK IN THE AFTERNOON IN ALUMNI COLISEUM.

THIS EVENT WILL CELEBRATE NOT ONLY MY SELECTION AS THE UNIVERSITY'S TENTH PRESIDENT, BUT ALSO THE MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR FACULTY … STAFF … STUDENTS … AND ALUMNI.

IN FACT, THE CEREMONY - AND THE EVENTS SCHEDULED THROUGHOUT THE WEEK BEFORE - WILL SERVE TO SHOWCASE OUR CAMPUS TO KENTUCKY AND THE NATION.

A STEERING COMMITTEE CO-CHAIRED BY DOCTOR MIKE MARSDEN AND DOCTOR SKIP DAUGHERTY … AND SEVERAL SUBCOMMITTEES … ARE WORKING TO PLAN A VARIETY OF INAUGURATION-RELATED EVENTS FOR THE ENTIRE CAMPUS COMMUNITY AND FOR OUR FRIENDS IN RICHMOND … MADISON COUNTY …AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

WE WILL SHARE THIS SCHEDULE WITH THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY WHEN IT IS COMPLETED.

I AM PLEASED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE EVENTS WILL BE UNDERWRITTEN FROM PRIVATE GIFTS.

I HOPE THAT YOU WILL MAKE PLANS NOW TO ATTEND THE CEREMONY AND AS MANY OF THE EVENTS THAT YOUR BUSY SCHEDULES ALLOW.

I WANT TO CALL SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE RECEPTION FOR THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY AND OUR SPECIAL GUESTS, WHICH WILL FOLLOW THE INAUGURAL CEREMONY IN ALUMNI COLISEUM.

YOUR PRESENCE WILL ADD SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE JOY OF THIS SPECIAL DAY FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

IN CLOSING, I HAVE BEEN HERE "OFFICIALLY" FOR TEN WEEKS.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I FIND MY WORK STIMULATING … INVIGORATING …AND, YES, CHALLENGING.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW VERY PROUD I AM TO SERVE EASTERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY, AND THAT MY COMMITMENT TO OUR UNIVERSITY - ITS FACULTY, STAFF AND STUDENTS - IS STRONG AND UNWAVERING.

EVEN THOUGH WE FIND OURSELVES IN TOUGH FISCAL TIMES, I BELIEVE OUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT.

I ASK FOR YOUR IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS … YOUR CONTINUING DEDICATION AND HARD WORK …AND YOUR SUPPORT AND COOPERATION AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO TAKE THIS WONDERFUL UNIVERSITY TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE.