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Strategic Planning and Budgeting University Reaccreditation 2007 MSU Moorhead |
April 2004 Campus Update Date: April 14, 2004 To: The Campus Community
From: President Barden Re: Campus Update Student Success: Hearty congratulations to our own Belinda Eastlack, the 2004 NCAA II national champion in women's weight throw! She claimed the title at the NCAA II National Indoor Track and Field Championships in Boston. And, congratulations to MSUM’s Rachel Sang for being awarded a Goldwater Excellence Scholarship! She is the fifth MSUM recipient in four years. Legislative Update: At the state level, you probably saw the article in Sunday’s Forum regarding the foreseeable difficulty facing our state legislators as they try to come to agreement regarding funding allocations, budget balancing, and other divisive issues. While Omnibus Bills have been passed on the Senate side, we have yet to see movement on the Bonding Bill. MSU Moorhead is well positioned for receiving bonding funding that would launch the renovation of Hagen Hall. However, success is contingent upon the legislators passing a bonding bill this session. At the federal level, MSU Moorhead and the City of Moorhead will receive $500,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency to cover the costs of installing a new, larger water main to support the north side of campus. The new Science Teaching Laboratory Building presented us with the reality that the city’s existing water infrastructure cannot support the overhead water sprinkler system (for fire suppression) in such a large building, so it was necessary for us to secure funding for this infrastructure project. We are grateful for the support provided by U.S. Senators Norm Coleman and Mark Dayton, and U.S. Representative Collin Peterson. Installation of the water main should begin in July or August. Strategic Planning Good News! I am pleased to inform you that the MSUM’s Racial and Ethnic Diversity Strategic Plan has received the long-awaited approval from the MnSCU Office of the Chancellor, Dolores Fridge, Associate Vice Chancellor for Equal Opportunity & Diversity, and Gail Olsen, General Counsel. You may access the final version of the plan via the president’s website at www.mnstate.edu/president (click on “strategic planning”). I appreciate the good work of the President’s Task Force on Diversity, coordinated by Dr. Susanne Williams. David Crockett, Vice President for Administrative Affairs has forwarded me the draft of the MSUM Technology Plan, the product of the Technology Task Force. This draft is available at http://www.mnstate.edu/plans/technology/index.htm . I am in the process of reviewing the plan; please forward your comments to me. My decisions regarding plan approval will be announced before the end of the spring semester. Dr. Crockett has also informed me that he and Warren Wiese, Vice President for Student Affairs, will be hosting an open forum or two to share the MSUM Campus Master Plan, which addresses campus facilities, including an integrated concept for the student union, food service, wellness-fitness center, and library. Watch for further details to be announced from the Office of Administrative Affairs. Science Laboratory Building: Construction is on schedule for the Science Laboratory Building. We will assume control of the building in May and plan to offer science courses in the building beginning Fall 2004. The project is coming together very nicely and we look forward to moving into the building. The Office of Administrative Affairs will coordinate a moving schedule for those departments involved. Thomas Edison School: Now that we have signed a five-year renewable lease agreement for Thomas Edison School, we are focusing our attention on how to best use the facility. As you may know, we are co-leasing the building with MSCTC and as such, we will share the space. MSCTC is in the process of identifying its space needs. We are in the process of assembling a committee to be chaired by Bette Midgarden, Vice President for Academic Affairs and charged with identifying the best academic and student services uses for the facility. May Commencement Speaker: I am pleased to announce that David Strauss will present the keynote address at our May 14 commencement ceremony. In 1973, Mr. Strauss completed a B.A. in sociology and a B.S. in political science/education at MSUM. For close to four years, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Vice President Al Gore. Further details will be announced in Continews. Save the Date: The President’s Summer Retreat, June 28-29, 2004, on the topic of student health and wellness. I hope to see you there. Details and registration materials will be announced by the ad hoc planning committee, chaired by Dr. Susanne Williams.
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