Marshall Faculty Senate - January

Marshall University’s Faculty Senate announced a new budget cut and vision statement, as well as expanded upon the 20/20 project at Thursday’s meeting. President Kopp and provost Gayle Ormiston headlined the meeting, along with a number of representatives speaking on behalf of university committees.

The most noteworthy release came courtesy of Kopp. At the beginning of the 2014 calendar year, Marshall received notice of an unanticipated mid-year budget cut of 1.1 percent. This results in cuts of approximately $539,000. Kopp said the first step will be to absorb vacancies in the university. At the prompting of a faculty member’s question, Kopp stated it will probably not affect ongoing searches. “Mid-year cuts are the worst and most difficult kind of cuts because we have already made commitments,” Kopp said.

As is a theme with many institutions of higher education, Kopp addressed the issue of retention. Students who returned for spring semester after attending fall semester is higher than in years past. The university has seen an increase of about 4 percent for returners. Matt James, student resource specialist and UNI 100 developer, said he believes several programs helped students assimilate. “In 2010, we enacted a retention plan including WOW week, first year seminar and a focus on student activities, like living learning communities,” James said. We have fine tuned these strategies and we are seeing results now.” In addition, the INTO program for international students enrolled 220 new students this semester.

The extreme polar vortex that impacted much of the midwest this January also reeked havoc on Marshall’s campus. Nearly $300,000 of damages resulted in Gullickson Hall, Drinko Library, Jenkins Hall and the Science Building. Frozen sprinklers and burst water lines accounted for the majority of problems. Kopp said the physical plant director said nearly nothing could have been done to prepare for the extreme temperatures. He urged all faculty to make sure their windows stay shut, especially when they leave for the day.

At the end of fall semester and throughout winter break, the vision committee sponsored a poll for Marshall students and faculty to vote on a new vision statement for the university. Almost 900 votes were cast for one of four options. The winning statement reads, “The vision of Marshall University is to inspire learning and creativity that ignites the mind, nurtures the spirit and fulfills the promise of a better future.” Dr. Susan Gilpin, faculty senate member from the communication disorders department, said she was satisfied with the selection. “The vision statement matches my idea to why I’m at Marshall and what we’re doing here, so I’m pleased with it,” Gilpin said. “This vision statement covered a range of goals for students. It wasn’t just about getting a job or providing excellent education. It was more about developing the whole person.”

In conjunction with the vision statement, Ormiston led an in depth discussion about the 20/20 program. He has been meeting and will continue to meet with department chairs and deans weekly. The next deadline for the academic portfolio review degree program niche statements is March 31 to the college or school dean. Matt Turner, the chief of staff for the president, is leading the communications effort for the 20/20 project. He is in the process of instituting unique tabs on the website for each outreach team. He wants the website (www.marshall.edu/2020) to be the center point for communication with each other, as well as an opportunity to share relevant news stories.

In other miscellaneous news, Maurice Cooley, director of the Center for African American Students, took a new position as associate vice president of intercultural affairs. This is a change in the previous name of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Kopp reported the new lighting project on Fifth and Third Avenues should be completed within a month. New light poles and higher wattage bulbs are in the process of being installed, but the winter weather has hindered progress. There is an evaluation of the president and the board of governors this week, January 27-31.

Finally, the senate observed a moment of silence for former Marshall University athlete, professor and coach Sam Clegg, as well as James Buck Harless, philanthropist and advocate for Marshall University and its student athletes. Both men passed away in early January at the ages of 93 and 94 respectively.

The faculty senate executive committee will meet February 17 at noon in Drinko Library 349.