Leland not leaving
“I think this is the right decision,” Leland said. “This is a time of unprecedented fiscal challenges at (GCSU).”
Those challenges stem from the nearly 10 percent budget cuts that have been handed down from the Georgia Board of Regents.
Faculty members have lauded Leland’s handling of those budget cuts thus far.
Dr. Bob Wilson, interim chair of the history department and university historian, was more than pleased to hear that she would not be leaving.
“I’m breathing a sigh of relief,” Wilson said. “She’s managed to soften the blow in many ways.
“As the recession deepens, we need continuity in the administration, and she brings a great deal of ability at handling fiscal preparation for the current crisis.”
Dr. Bruce Harshbarger, vice president for student affairs, also embraced Leland’s decision.
“All of us are delighted that she has decided to stay,” Harshbarger said. “Having her here is a win-win for the university as well as for her.”
Students were not as animated about the decision.
“I guess she’s doing a good job,” Ian Frye, freshman environmental science major, said. “The school seems to be doing fine.”
Another student questioned her initial intentions.
“I think she went and tested the waters,” said Cole Lewis, a senior business major. “It looks like she didn’t like how things looked out there, so she came back to us.”
However, Leland contends that she was not looking to leave GCSU and had not heard about the opening until she was called by Pacific in December.
“Experienced university presidents get contacted by other universities,” Leland said. “Most of the time they don’t pan out, but sometimes for personal and professional reasons they are considered. That’s why I explored this option.”
Leland grew up in California and began her college career at The University of the Pacific’s Raymond College.
Raymond, Pacific’s honors college, is no longer open.
Now that she has ruled out leaving the university, her focus turns back to handling the budget.
“The fiscal health of this university is my top priority,” Leland said. “My job right now is to focus on protecting as much as one can against the budget cuts and looking for alternative forms of revenue.”
Impending changes to important leadership positions were another reason Leland sighted for staying. Among these are the new provost coming in June.
Leland will also focus on a number of other projects including completing the campus theatre downtown and procuring state funding for the renovation of Ennis Hall, which houses the G.I.V.E. Center.
There was another reason Leland wanted to decide to stay.
“I can’t imagine better students at any other university,” she said. “This is a very special place.”
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Feb 27 2009. Filed under News.
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