May 2, 2007

Dear Colleagues:

It's really wonderful to end each academic year with a celebration that brings so much happiness and joy to so many. I realize that it takes a cast of thousands to make commencement happen, or so it seems.  But we always pull it off, and once the ceremony starts, a spell seems to befall us when all that matters is the glorious experience of that moment. How lucky we are!

Gala celebration June 1

"See what happens when you give someone a chance." That powerful idea will be the impetus for a U of I Capital Campaign that will be launched on June 1 at Navy Pier in Chicago. UIS will showcase its success as a young rising star in the U of I universe. We look forward to this gala event and the fund-raising campaign ahead.  You will be hearing more about how the campaign will help UIS grow into a bigger and brighter future as we seek to fulfill our vision together.
 
"Academic excellence" here and now

Signs that "academic excellence" is right here, right now:

1. Our College of Business and Management is now among an elite group of colleges and universities (only about 10% in the world) accredited by AACSB International - the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

2. Two 2007 Chicago Golden Apple Award winners are graduates of this institution - Melinda Wilson and Scott Reed. They were among only 20 individuals selected for the prestigious awards out of 800 Chicago-area teachers who were nominated.

3. A team of UIS students from the Clinical Laboratory Science program took first-place honors in the Student Bowl competition held during the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science - Illinois annual conference. Congratulations to Ayo Fajembola, Niki Patel, Melissa Morris, and Mohamed Osman.

4. Provost Berman reports that we'll be welcoming an exceptional group of new faculty, about 20, to UIS this fall.

Budget, tuition, salaries

We are expecting/ hoping for a 1.9% increase in appropriated operating budget funding for higher education in the next fiscal year that begins July 1. Of course, that percentage must be approved by the General Assembly this spring.  A tuition increase for new UIS students this fall will be somewhat less than last year's increase. We'll know more about that after U of I trustees approve new tuition figures for all three campuses on May 17. In regard to the salary program for next year, we hope to have increases in the 3% range. And we're hopeful that there will be some new money to keep strategic planning initiatives alive, but likely not as much as we would like.

Opportunities/issues

We are putting every effort we can into working with various groups of students, faculty and staff on special needs. As just two examples, we're working with the LGBTQ community on creating a full-time position devoted to that community's needs, beginning with bringing in a consultant to advise us how best to proceed. And we're talking with disabled students about how best to meet their needs as well. I'm confident we're making progress, but sometimes I hear rumors or hear feedback that just isn't true.  It's important that our conversations be honest and free of incivility.  I am always eager to engage in dialogue and, if necessary, set the record straight.  So if you hear someone say, "The chancellor said..." or "The chancellor did..." and you're wondering if it's true, just email me and ask.  I'll be happy to hear from you.  There really are no issues about which we can't reach resolution, working together.

Spirit of giving alive

For the third year in a row, UIS has been awarded the Chancellor's Cup for highest percentage of participation for a university in the State University Employees Combined Appeal (SECA) campaign.  More than $3 million was raised during the 2006 campaign for the second year in a row -- $37,104.08 of which came from UIS employees.  I am very proud of the spirit of generosity and concern for others that are displayed by the members of this campus community.  And that reflects well on this entire institution! 

"Fun to be chancellor"

It's the end of the semester, and there are many ways in which it is "fun to be chancellor." (They're all taking place in an eight-day period!)  Student Government Association's awards dinner, faculty retirement dinner, Preview Day, Lincoln Land Community College's 40th anniversary celebration, Women's Center Annual Spring Reception, Faculty Honors and Awards Reception, UIS Peoria Center's Graduation Reception, Lincoln Bicentennial Kickoff Reception, UIS Music Program, and Relay for Life.  It's lucky that Carolyn and I are still young!

And next fall when everyone is back again, we'll see our newly opened Recreation and Athletic Center, watch the new residence hall begin to take shape, welcome more high quality new faculty members, expand fund-raising and formalize the capital campaign, prepare for HLC accreditation, and expand student activities, fine arts, athletics, student clubs and organizations...

Until then, I wish each of you a very pleasant summer. Please take some time to relax and enjoy yourselves. Take a break and be proud of all the work you've done to make the past year a rewarding and successful one.

I appreciate your efforts and your dedication.

Until next time,