Speech foreshadows climate of cuts

President Dorothy Leland gave the State of the University Address on Wednesday in front of a partially filled Russellauditorium, declaring her vision for the future of the university and pledging to overcome the current funding crisis.

Leland began the speech by stating that more budget cuts are on the way. She attributed these cuts, in part, to an economic slump. She then went on to say that rising health care costs and the shift in social service obligations will keep public institutions from receiving the funding that was available before the current economic crisis. Leland said the University will continue to be resourceful and inventive.

“We are making personal and professional sacrifices, not for economic advantage, but because of our deep commitments to our students and to public higher education,” Leland said.

She suggested alternative revenue streams such as auxiliary enterprises, grants and contracts. Leland said the most important sources are individual, corporate and foundation support, both locally and statewide. Leland said she will strengthen these resources by becoming more external.

Leland asked for the support of students, faculty and staff.

“I must trust that you understand that I will miss being here, but that my absences from campus will be for extraordinarily important reasons.”

Leland explained that several short-term expenditure restrictions are necessary to build the reserve while devising a long-term solution to the problem. These restrictions include a temporary hiring freeze and a freeze on purchases exceeding $300.

Leland emphasized the importance of “bottom-up” budgeting. She also seeks department and division-level deliberation that will benefit the student’s education while also cutting costs.

Leland stressed the importance of remaining open to all suggestions and ideas regarding the proper course of action. She said it is essential that the community come together after the plan of action has been enacted.

“Across our occasional disagreements and disappointments, we must also lift the spirit, build community and gain strength from each other,” she said.

Leland then proclaimed her dream for GC&SU to become a nationally recognized public liberal arts university. She said this vision is about more than just a future bragging right.

“The vision is about fulfilling our public trust to the people of Georgia,” Leland said. “It is about keeping Georgia’s brightest students in Georgia by providing them with affordable access to a liberal arts learning environment of the highest quality.”

She stated that she is sure that the vision is attainable by staying focused and strategically acting and thinking.
Leland said it is most important that the university discover what it can do better than anyone else.

“We must capitalize on educational assets that we have by virtue of location and history, invest wisely in signature programs and promote ourselves effectively.”

Leland included in her vision, improving the off-campus graduate programs.

“No one else can offer quality in graduate programming in this region at the price we charge,” she said. Leland said she hopes in the future that GC&SU will also be nationally recognized for its innovative ways of delivering quality graduate programs.

She continued her speech by defining a theme for this academic year. “Traditions and Transformations” will encompass the many changes GC&SU will endure as it strives for excellence and the rich traditions this University was founded on.

“So what, you ask, is the state of the university today?” Leland asked. ” It is strong, stronger than ever,” she responded.

Leland concluded her speech by acknowledging the faculty as the driving force behind the success of the University.

GC&SU, said Leland, will become one of the nation’s top liberal arts universities.

The speech closed with a comment about GC&SU’s strongest attribute.

“The heart of any institution is not buildings or dollars or programs, but people,” said Leland. And the University’s heart is beating stronger than ever.

The entire State of the University Address can be found on the web at info.gcsu.edu/tip/archives/2004/Lelanddeliversstateofuniv.html

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Sep 3 2004. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry