 |
|
|
Strategic Planning and Budgeting University Reaccreditation 2007 MSU Moorhead |
August 2003 Campus Update August 27, 2003 To: The Campus Community
From: President Barden Re: Campus Update Welcome to the 2003-2004 academic year! The campus
is buzzing with students eager to learn and I’m confident that you
share their enthusiasm. There are several items that need to be
highlighted as we begin the fall semester. Condensed Mission Statement: At the April
2003 meeting of the University Planning and Budgeting Committee, the
condensed version of our MSUM mission statement was finalized and
approved. You’ll recall that there were three different versions that
circulated campus during 2002-2003, along with the draft of the
University strategic plan. This is the statement that is now our
“shortened” mission statement: “We develop knowledge, talent, and skills
for a lifetime of learning, service, and citizenship.” Use this shortened version of the mission whenever
you deem necessary. This version supplements the current extended
version of the University mission statement; it does not replace it. The
long version conforms to guidelines set by our regional accrediting
agency and it is the mission statement approved by the Board of
Trustees. New Phone System: As you all know by now,
during the summer months we made a major campus-wide transition to a new
digital phone system. The PBX system provides an array of new features
– including voicemail – at a savings to the University. Comptroller
Mark Rice estimates we’ll annually save 32% of what we were paying
with our previous system. We are now in the process of bidding out the
long distance services. At this point, long distance calls cost us
7-cents per minute. We anticipate securing a rate around 3-cents per
minute. The change in long distance carriers and rates will probably
take place in January. In the meantime, please use discretion when
making long distance calls. October 10 Faculty Professional Development Day:
Don’t forget that classes are cancelled on Friday, Oct. 10 for our
second annual Faculty Professional Development Day. This year, the focus
will be on the rapid technology changes and the impact on higher
education. More details will soon be coming from the planning committee. Strategic Planning and FY04 Work Plan: In
the next month, we will be determining our work plan priorities for the
2004 fiscal year. The University Planning and Budgeting Committee is
working on identifying the top three or four items that will need our
attention. More information will be communicated as the committee
engages in their challenge. Their work will move quickly; in late
September, I will be meeting with the Chancellor and his Cabinet to
present our campus plan and goals for the year. The campus Racial and Ethnic Diversity Plan is
being edited and will be returned to the Office of the Chancellor. I
anticipate that it will be approved this semester. Identifying Our Campus Strengths: At the
2003 President’s Retreat for budget planners, we engaged in discussion
regarding the strengths of the University. As a campus community, we
need a common understanding regarding the things we do best. Achieving
consensus on this issue will enable all of us to tell a more
compelling, coherent campus story to all we encounter. In order to accomplish this goal, I need to gather
more information. In the next week or so, a survey of employees will be
distributed electronically from my office. Please watch for it and take
the time to respond. I appreciate your cooperation. Advisors – Don’t Forget about the 120-credit BA Degree: If you are advising students working toward their Bachelor of Arts degrees, don’t forget about the new graduation credit requirements that were approved last semester. Beginning with students graduating in December 2003, the threshold number of credits required for a BA degree is now 120 credits. Best wishes for a successful semester!
|
