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Strategic Planning and Budgeting University Reaccreditation 2007 MSU Moorhead |
December 2000 Campus Update
December 18, 2000 TO: Campus Community FROM: President Barden RE: News and Issues Commencement: On December 22, we will
celebrate the success of 362 graduates. At this time, 245 plan to
march in the commencement ceremonies. Ginger Deitz, the 2001 North
Dakota Teacher of the Year, will present the commencement address. She
is the fourth MSU Moorhead alum in the last decade to be named the
North Dakota Teacher of the Year. Heating Campus Facilities: As we have seen
in the past few weeks, this winter promises to be cold. And, the media
has warned us that the price of natural gas and heating oil would
increase. MSU Moorhead is facing a heating bill for the month of
October that is 110% more than our bill of one year ago. Given the
ranges provided to us for October, November and December, we will see
an impact on our budget of $400,000, plus or minus 10%. We all need to
be aware that natural gas is priced like a commodity since the rates
are not regulated. The prices fluctuate daily. We must simply conserve
as much as possible, especially during the holidays, evening hours and
weekends. I appreciate your support in this matter. Hagen’s New Science Teaching Lab Addition:
We are happy to announce that Foss and Associates is the architectural
firm selected to complete the design process for the new teaching lab
addition to Hagen Hall. The firm was selected after a competitive
review process in which Vice President for Administrative Affairs
David Crockett, Professors Shawn Dunkirk and Mark Wallert, and others
participated. New MSU Moorhead Residence Hall: As you may know, in the late spring or early summer months we plan to begin building a new residence hall on campus. During the open university forum last month, we informed you that financing alternatives and cost factors are under consideration. The new residence hall will probably be located in one of two locations: K-Lot or the area east of Murray Commons extending toward 17th Street. Our students will find this new housing facility to be an appealing alternative to living off-campus. Admissions
Update:
The Office of Admissions reports that freshman applications for fall
2001 are up 38% from the same time a year ago. In the past, this
number reflects the current trend to early applications, but the
increase certainly reflects the hard work of our faculty and staff in
addition to the improved ways in which our admissions specialists
process data and target and correspond with prospective students. The
next step is to ensure that these students actually enroll in our
classes in the fall. Each one of you is critical to the success of
our recruitment and retention efforts. I appreciate your involvement. The Admissions Office is expanding its web presence
through Dragons Online. In addition to applying for admission online,
students will soon be able to use Dragons Online to check their
financial aid and sign up for Dragon Days. Future applications may
allow students to get the name of their advisor, complete immunization
forms, apply for housing, and change their major online. I invite you
to visit http://www.mnstate.edu/admissions.
Regional
Recruitment Trips: The Admissions Office plans regional student recruitment trips in the
spring semester. You will be invited to join us as we meet with
prospective students in the region. MSU Moorhead will travel to
Bismarck February 12-13, Fergus Falls March 5, and to Wahpeton March
6. More information will be coming your way in January. Update
on the 2000 President’s Summer Retreat on Internal Communication:
At the President’s Retreat in June, there were several areas dealing
with internal communication identified by retreat participants as
needing further consideration. During the fall semester, the following
actions have unfolded as a direct result of the observations and
suggestions generated by the retreat participants: ·
The
MSU Moorhead budget and financial fact book are now readily available
via the Business Office web site at http://www.mnstate.edu/busoff/. ·
The
Open University Forums are now regular events. In the fall semester,
two forums addressed the proposed MnSCU allocation model, and the new
MSU Moorhead residence facility. ·
The
process and structure for the university’s internal publications and
communications procedures are being studied to determine the cause of
the retreat participants’ concerns. ·
A
Web Advisory Board has been created to provide expert advice for the
content and graphic development of the MSU Moorhead web presence. The
group will begin meeting in January. ·
The
Strategic Planning Committee is currently reviewing the university’s
mission statement and core values. ·
The
content and recipients of the Official Listserv are under review. ·
The
Office of Human Resources is considering ways to incorporate more of
communications skills training opportunities for our faculty and
staff. ·
Open
house events have showcased our newly renovated facilities. While it may not be a direct result of the retreat discussion, I am
pleased to see that the campus community is finding its way to the
Dragon Den in Flora Frick. The Dragon Den provides a gathering place
for increasing numbers of faculty, staff, and students. Other communications-related areas continue to be
assessed by the administrative team. You will continue to be updated
on our progress as we improve our campus’ internal communication.
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