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Printer-Friendly ModePlanning brings success
President Gilbertson gives State of the University address
January 17, 2005 —
On Thursday, Jan. 13, Saginaw Valley State University, students, administrators, staff, campus police, alumni and other guests watched President Eric Gilbertson give an informative State of the University address.
Gilbertson opened the presentation by showing a slide that consisted of headlines of universities around the state having problems with cutbacks taking place in the state budget for education. This was why many universities statewide had to raise tuition at a higher percentage than is usually done in a fiscal year. Gilbertson then explained the reasons this has not hurt SVSU by touching on three points: enrollment strength, friends of the institution (legislators, sponsors, alumni, etc.) and thoughtful planning.
The president then presented the significant changes that have taken place in the growth of the university in the last 10 years, which included enrollment increasing by over 2,000 students, more than four times as many Presidential Scholars, over three times as many international students enrolled and room for over 500 more students to live on campus. The market value of endowments has also jumped from $6,447,000 in 1994 to $27,000,000 in 2004.
Gilbertson used a chronological timeline to show why it is important to look ahead, with enrollment increasing yearly. The president said in 1965 only 157 students were enrolled at SVSU, a number that jumped to 1,839 students in 1970, and was at 9,448 students in 2004.
The idea for SVSU originated at Delta College in 1966 when faculty planned a design for a new college. At the time, Saginaw was in the "Golden Triangle," which had one of the highest per capita incomes in the country. Those who were planning anticipated all of the major structures that can be found on campus today including a student center, museum, bell tower, college of education building and chapel. They also projected international programs and argued for a "Board of Visitors," which is the "Board of Fellows" today. All of this led to the president speaking on the plan that was made for the 2005 year and will extend until 2010. Gilbertson began this part of the presentation with a quote drawn from Harold Enarson, "Being short of money is bad, but not as bad as being short of ideas."
Several challenges Gilbertson spoke of included the fact that the population in the four-county area is not expected to grow, an anticipated peak of high school graduates in 2008 which will then decline, an increasing competitive recruiting environment for students, and limited state funding.
Next, Gilbertson showed the draft mission statement.
The statement, still in development, included points for the University to achieve intellectual and personal development through academic, professional and cultural programs and to prepare graduates whose leadership and expertise contribute to the advancement of a pluralistic society.
This was followed by the draft vision statement, which included the main idea to achieve national recognition for SVSU and its programs of distinction.
Gilbertson also spoke of how important embracing diversity would be.
"We know from our competitors and our conscience that we have to take care of this issue of diversity," he said.
The president explained howthe plan is divided into six sections: academic improvement, technology, campus culture, enrollment management, program qualitative distinctiveness and community relations.
The plan looks to upgrade technology, renovate and expand areas of campus, increase the number of student planned activities and increase attendance, enrollment of qualified minority students and work with alumni and members of the community to increase endowments to $50,000,000.
The plan also called to develop and establish a Student Research and Creativity Institute, funded at $100,000 a year.
This would help students think on their own and become more involved in campus.
"We think by doing that, the institution will be known as a much better place to be," Gilbertson said. "If the stars do align just right over our institution as they have done in the past, then there are greater things ahead."