PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO EMAIL

 I hope that you are having a restful and rewarding summer. I want to follow-up on several issues that may be of interest to you.

The state budget for 2003-2004 has been approved and includes a 3% recurring reduction. Fortunately, budget increases were received for both regular term and distance education enrollment growth. In addition, a special recurring allocation was received for focused growth institutions. This will help offset reductions in state funds. A one-time bonus of $550 was also approved for persons employed as of October 1, 2003 , and a special 10-day annual leave bonus was granted for employees who earn annual leave.

Second, and on a very positive note, freshman deposits continue to rise. We currently have over 20 percent more deposits than we had total freshmen last year. We now anticipate a class of approximately 1,500 - 1,530. The average SAT is more than 10 points higher than last year so this is the best class in our history. There is a short waiting list of students and, if current trends continue, we will raise our minimum standard for fall admission again. Other students will be deferred until spring.

Another issue involves the availability of housing on campus. Because of high demand both by continuing students and new students, we have sought permission from the Board of Trustees and the State Property Office to lease housing in the area. Hopefully, this will be approved by August 1.

Because of the increased focus on marketing, we are hoping to again significantly increase the number of applications for the 2004 academic year. This will be a very important year for us and I hope that you will consider taking part in selected recruitment activities. We are seeing significant increases in the number of higher quality students applying to Western and it would be of great value if you were willing to talk with some of these students who might have interest in your major.

Third, there are some significant changes in the way we are handling orientation. Fred Hinson has been working with the deans and the advising staff to encourage students with interests in a particular major to declare at orientation. In the first two orientations, between a quarter and a third of freshmen formally declared a major. During the faculty focus groups, I heard a great deal about the need for a much closer link between the academic departments and the students during their first semesters in school. I just wanted you to be aware that progress is being made.

As we go forward, it will be increasingly important that each department designate particular faculty members as contacts for these students. The contact needs to be very interested in working with potential majors, knowledgeable about the University’s degree requirements, and welcoming to the student. It is important that a student who is sent to the department receives a warm welcome and excellent advising. This will be a very important first step in assuring that the student stays at Western and graduates from your program. If you have interest in being a contact for these students, please let your department head or dean know.

Finally, I want to mention some of the work that the deans and I have been doing off-campus. Over the last several weeks I have had the opportunity to speak to groups in Jackson, Haywood, Cherokee, Rutherford, and Henderson counties. The college deans have accompanied me on visits to Henderson and Cherokee counties to offer assistance and listen to the people of the region. You should be aware that everywhere we went there is interest in what you are doing and people are very excited about the strides that you have made in building the quality of this University. The excitement about this University’s potential is palpable and I am sure that the deans will share with you some of the information that they gained. I hope that in addition to your normal summer activities that you are taking time to reflect and celebrate on the quality that you are bringing to this University and to this region.

Again, enjoy the rest of your summer. I look forward to seeing you in August.

Regards,
John W. Bardo