Dear Colleagues:
I write to share a few highlights from last Friday’s meeting of the Board of Trustees.
The Board took another step forward in enhancing our University’s science facilities by approving the issuance of bonds for construction of our new Foundational Sciences Building, which will feature state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories that enable faculty and staff in our biology and chemistry departments to conduct enhanced research in their science-based disciplines.
The 205,000-square-foot building will be located in the new East Quad, just to the south of our Health Professions Building, which is currently under construction and expected to open this Fall. Both of these new facilities will become important assets in our University’s ability to provide a premier on-campus undergraduate and graduate experience to our students who will benefit from their use.
In other business, Bernie Hannon, vice president for Business Affairs and treasurer, and Jim Lowe, associate vice president for Facilities Planning and Management, provided an update of the Campus Master Plan. The plan, which was accepted by our Board in 2016, serves as a foundation for shaping our physical campus in the long term.
The Board also heard a presentation about how data analytics strategies support enrollment and student success. The presentation was conducted by Kay Bales, vice president for Enrollment Planning and Management; Loren Malm, vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer, and Ro-Ann Royer Engle, interim vice president for Student Affairs.
Analytics have become increasingly important as our University focuses on where students need assistance to continue their studies and ultimately graduate. This Fall, we will launch a new system that provides student advisors, staff, and faculty with tools to understand a student’s likelihood of completing a course and persisting to the next semester. The system will also facilitate personalized communications designed to help our students succeed.
At the end of the Board meeting, I made a few comments. If you would like to read my remarks, please
visit the website.
It is a privilege to serve with you, and I am grateful for your encouragement and support.
