I recently spent some time traveling with my beautiful grandchildren. I can’t tell you how much I value getting to watch them play, laugh and learn. And, while I watch them grow and discover the world, I can’t help but think about the ways I can improve the world they will inherit. That is one…
Month: January 2018
What it means to be a comprehensive university
I believe that a comprehensive university does more than offer a wide range of disciplines. It’s also one that pays attention to the whole student, ensuring that graduates are well-rounded in terms of knowledge, competencies and skills including and beyond their chosen fields of study. The results of the Vision 2025 survey conducted in the…
Making the Video: SIU Day of Giving
When I came to SIU, I didn’t expect to get my big break into show business. But here I am, starring in my very own video to help promote SIU’s Day of Giving, March 7. I don’t know that I am ready for Hollywood quite yet, but it may be time to start working on…
Status quo is still not an option
In 2012, an SIU committee looking at programs raised a number of questions related to “complimentary practices and academic efficiencies.” They included: Are there programs that could be combined administratively to eliminate redundancies? Are there programs that would be better suited in another college? Are there course redundancies that could be eliminated by requiring that…
Planes, robots and cyber security
In my state of the university address, I suggested that intercollegiate competition adds to the complete student experience. Students gain hands-on experience – as well as teamwork and leadership skills – that will make them winners throughout their careers and lives. Successful teams help build the university’s reputation in the academic world. At SIU, our success…
A look at another institution’s reorganization
Welcome to the chancellor’s blog. I plan to use this space to keep you updated about campus activities and initiatives, including academic reorganization, the subject of this first post. A major goal of reorganization is to create scholarly communities that give faculty greater ownership of their programs. We can do this by changing how resources…