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CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

November 20, 2006
 

TO:	The CMU Community
FROM:	Michael Rao
SUBJECT:	CMU Update 64

CMU Committed to Diversity

The recent passage of Proposal 2, the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, has caused questions and concern. My commitment, personally and as president, to supporting diversity is firm. We are studying the potential outcomes of this initiative and how they will affect the people and programs at Central Michigan University. However, there will be no change to the activities of CMU’s Affirmative Action Office, nor do we anticipate a change in its training and outreach efforts. I will do everything possible to ensure that the MCRI does not jeopardize these important services. Passage of the MCRI also does not change my expectations for how all people are treated at CMU. Each member of the university community brings a wide range of life experiences to be appreciated and respected.

Fall Enrollment

On-campus enrollment for fall semester is 20,025, the highest ever, and consistent with the record number of applications received for this academic year. The growth is attributed to a record-size freshman class, an increase in transfer students and students from underrepresented groups, and growth in the number of international students. I am pleased that CMU continues to be an attractive choice for parents and students, demonstrating the popularity of The CMU Promise and the hard work of the faculty and staff in meeting the academic needs of students. Off campus centers reported another slight decline in enrollment. As many are aware, ProfEd staff, professors in specific departments, a joint academic senate and administrative task force (which is willing to receive input from interested parties), and I are working together to refocus program development and marketing of off-campus programs.

December Commencement Ceremonies

CMU’s fall semester concludes on December 16 with three commencement ceremonies in Rose Arena that include 2550 prospective degree and certificate recipients. Each ceremony will feature guest speakers to whom I am pleased to award an honorary degree on behalf of the CMU Board of Trustees. The 9:30 a.m. speaker is Keith Goodwin, senior vice president at Cisco Systems; the 1:30 p.m. speaker is Michael Fezzey, President and General Manager of WJR Radio and Radio Disney; and the 5:00 p.m. speakers are Richard Dauch, Chair and CEO of American Axle and Manufacturing and Kenneth Rogers, Deputy County Executive for Oakland County and Executive Director, Automation Alley. Congratulations to all graduates!

Fulbright Scholar

CMU is honored to have electrical engineering Assistant Professor Hijres of the University of Bahrain, as a visiting Fulbright Scholar during 2006-2007. This year, approximately 800 faculty and professionals received Fulbright grants to lecture and conduct research abroad. A similar number of foreign scholars received awards to come to the United States, primarily as researchers. These Fulbright scholars join the approximately 100,000 U.S. and foreign scholars who have participated in the program since its inception in 1946.

CMU 2010

The CMU 2010 Institutional Strategic Planning Committee (ISPC) has just completed the review of proposals for the second round of vision funding for fiscal year 2007 and expect final approval in November. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the university have been drafted and are being reviewed by the ISPC, priority committees, and the vice presidents. A final draft of KPIs should be available in January, just in time for the fiscal year 2008 vision fund proposal deadline. A complete progress report and progress on individual active CMU 2010 initiatives can be found at www.planning.cmich.edu/updates.htm.

Public Broadcasting Update

CMU Public Broadcasting is one of the university's primary public service initiatives. With six television stations and seven radio stations, it is the largest university-owned public broadcasting network in the United States and has a coverage area larger than the state of Indiana. But the network also is involved in many other non-broadcast activities and is an important element in CMU 2010. I encourage you to visit http://www.wcmu.org/insidewcmu/aboutus.html and learn about CMU Public Broadcasting and where it is heading in the future.

Education Building Update

Progress continues on the new Education Building, with the recent submission of design development documents to the state. The university is pleased to have recently received a generous donation from The Morey Foundation of $1,000,000 toward the project. This significant gift brings total fundraising efforts for the new building to more than $4.5 million.

Graduate Education Recruiting Efforts

The College of Graduate Studies has been working to make its website more attractive and user friendly to potential students, creating new marketing pieces for the college and some graduate programs, and is in the midst of traveling to graduate student recruiting fairs. This fall, a new “Graduate Student Enrichment Series” was launched and has been met with student interest. Graduate Studies also is working with the graduate representative on the Student Government Association. He will be arranging opportunities for graduate students to meet with or contact him to discuss the state of graduate studies at CMU.

Spellings Commission Report

A national commission of business and higher education leaders submitted a report of its findings and recommendations to Education Secretary Margaret Spellings titled "A Test of Leadership: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education." The report is generating much review and discussion within the higher education community and associated organizations, including the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. The full report is available at http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/hiedfuture/reports/pre-pub-report.pdf.

Southeast Michigan

CMU’s involvement in southeast Michigan continues to be of significant importance. As I prepared for a southeast Michigan president’s advisory board meeting last week, I am reminded that there are more CMU students from southeast Michigan than any other region of the state. Alumni also are more represented in the Metro Detroit area than any other single area of the state.

CMU has introduced new professional development options for automotive employees beginning new careers. ProfEd recently launched a new Web site specifically for automotive employees at http://www.cel.cmich.edu/retool/. The new page assists automotive workers in enrolling in appropriate degree programs.

CMU is a foundation member of Automation Alley, an organization of leaders from all backgrounds and business sectors working together to transform Southeast Michigan into a high-technology powerhouse. The relationship includes working with the head of Automation Alley, CMU graduate Ken Rogers, and its members to explore possibilities for non-credit offerings, collaborations with the military and government, internships, student employment, career development, and providing seminars to its membership.

Finally, a few other small but important ways in which CMU is involved in southeast Michigan:

• The first cohort of the Professional MBA program, offered through the College of Business Administration, is underway in southeast Michigan.
• CMU continues to participate in the FOCUS:HOPE WALK for Diversity, this year on October 15.
• Tyrone Jordan represents CMU on the Thanksgiving Day Parade Board in Detroit.
• The southeast Michigan admissions office continues its excellent efforts to expand outreach to diverse populations.

Senior Officer Searches

Welcome to Merodie Anne Hancock, who will join CMU in January as the vice president and executive director of ProfEd, CMU’s off-campus programs. Thanks to Dan Stephens and Catherine Riordan, who have served as interim leaders of ProfEd in recent months.

The search for a new Executive Vice President/Provost continues, with preliminary interviews scheduled at an airport location in early December. The search committee expects to bring finalists to campus in January.

The search committee for the assistant vice president for institutional diversity is being chaired by Associate Dean Dianne Mark and the search is underway.

The Provost is in the process of forming search committees for the positions of Dean of Graduate Studies and Vice Provost for Research.

President’s Advisory Boards

Thank you to the members that serve on our regional advisory boards around the state and to the CMU team members that help coordinate their activities. These boards, located in Mt. Pleasant, Southeast Michigan, West Michigan, Northern Michigan, and the Tri-Cities, provide an effective network that offers ideas, feedback, investment, and support on projects that benefit CMU and enhance the university’s profile in these regional areas. For more information and lists of members, please visit http://www.pab.cmich.edu/.

Annual University Campaign

The Annual University Campaign, which provides faculty, staff and retirees continued opportunities to support CMU, continues through December 8. To date, more than 355 donors have contributed in excess of $197,000 towards the $577,000 goal. As in the past, this is an opportunity to support the departments and programs which most interest you. When you make your gift or pledge during the Annual University Campaign, the university will match your gift at $1 for each $2 donated. I, along with co-chairs Rose and Ben Prasad, request your consideration of the impact you can make on the learning experiences of our students with a gift to the campaign. To learn more, including information on the university match and the on-line gift form, please visit http://www.giving.cmich.edu/campaign.asp.