Baker University President Pat Long gave students, faculty and staff a few numbers to think about during her State of the University address, “Baker 2020 and New Beginnings,” Tuesday at the Fall 2012 Convocation.
Long has seen various accomplishments from students, staff and faculty and improvements to each of BU’s four campuses in her seven years as the university president, but her four-goal strategic plan for the next seven years calls for even more success.
“I have always thought there was something special about that number, seven,” Long said. “From the beginning of time in Genesis to the end of time in Revelation, biblical scholars and moral religions many will say that the number seven is the number of completion, fullness and perfection. There are seven days in the week, there are seven notes in the scale and as for me at this point, I’m beginning my seventh year at Baker University.”
Long’s four goals are as follows. The first goal states that Baker University will achieve regional and national recognition and reputation for quality academic programs, faculty, staff and students.
“That’s a goal we can all be a part of because we’ll measure that by student engagement, student satisfaction, student performance, student placement, all of the things that happen for our students inside and outside the classroom,” Long said.
The second goal, and what Long believes is the most important one, states that Baker University will reach enrollment capacity through increased on-ground and expanded online offerings and outreach.
The next goal of the four-part plan states that Baker University will have the resources necessary to sustain and grow the academic mission.
“This is not just about the day-to-day finances,” Long said. “This is about us having what we need on a daily basis, but it is about also a contingency fund that will allow us to move to the next level.”
The final goal of the plan states that (Baker) will prepare students to be effective-level citizens who bring positive change in their community.
Long was not the only person to speak at convocation, as she was preceded by Student Senate President Katie Thurbon and Brian Posler, executive vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college of arts and sciences.
Thurbon was elected as the student senate president in the spring as a sophomore, but in the few months since she has occupied the position, she has already interacted with many staff and faculty about matters dealing with Baker’s campus. While some students may be overwhelmed by staying in constant communication with various faculty members, Thurbon has realized how nice it is to see so many of them are passionate about Baker’s well-being.
“This year student senate and I hope to continue open and honest student relations with faculty and administration,” Thurbon said. “Exciting things are happening this year. Many changes are taking place and I have felt a sense of excitement coming from the students on campus this year that I feel like hasn’t quite been here in this amount before.”
One of the changes to campus that Thurbon and Long both expressed excitement about was the addition of Posler as the new dean of academics.
Like Long, Posler also has goals of his own for the College of Arts in Sciences. Posler’s goals for the fall semester pertained to three different issues: the creation of a “Majors As Home” departmental grant and competition, the rebirth of the Honors Scholars Faculty Council and the Presidential Task Force on CAS enrollment and retention.
“I’m hopeful and confident that Baker University will reach its goals and advance its mission called for in the president’s strategic plan to move Baker forward,” Posler said.
