Resolutions within reach for SUS

 
Resolutions proposed to improve student services, university effectiveness, enrollment and recruitment, and promote financial growth are achievable and measurable.
James Llorens, SUBR Chancellor understands the challenges and is willing to get the ball rolling to address them.
“We know the challenges we have faced for many years. Information technology structure, customer friendly experiences, financial aid, and registration,” Llorens said. We are making significant progress, as we have implemented we have identified new problem areas and are moving to correct them.”
After the Board of Supervisors declaration of Financial Exigency, this year will be significant to the recovery and growth process.
“I look forward to the next academic year coming out of exigency. Our progress will be measured through heightened enrollment rates, measures of efficiency including the smoothness of the registration process. Placement rates and retention rates will be important as well,” Llorens said.
Llorens placed and emphasis on student educational attainment and satisfaction.
“The bottom line will be a student’s ability to enjoy their experience, realize their learning and education, and graduates who are satisfied with the education they have received,” Llorens said.
Southern University System President Ronald Mason hoped to see a stronger and closer Jaguar Nation.
“We are seeing signs of it now. Good working relationships between the system and at the campus levels. The campus chancellors and system working together,” Mason said.
Mason agreed that the bottom line in student experience and the value of the degree after graduation.
“Our success will be measured by the retention and graduation rates. Along with the goodwill towards the institution,” Mason said.
SU Board of Supervisors Chairman Darren Mire anticipates a concentration from the Board of Regents on bringing together a stronger, re-branded, and new Southern after exigency.
“With our business model we hope to slowly but, surely make plans to centralize what we can and pull those burdens off of individual campuses. With financial exigency we an opportunity to re-brand and transform our school,” Mire said.
​Mire hopes for the system to be transformed into a more unique and comprehensive system leading with best practices in the state and eventually the country.
“It will happen over time. I think we have the right leadership in place. This is the first time the five chancellors, System President, and Board of Supervisors have similar vision,” Mire said.
The issue and dilemma of communication plays a part in accomplishing these resolutions.
“Enrollment is key engine in getting our financial issues cleared up. We need to do a better job of getting our message out and communicating with students, faculty and staff and alumni,” Mire said.
Mire agreed with Mason on the need to work together including keeping the dialogue open for new perspectives from all levels.
At the end of January and beginning of February financial exigency is still a concern of students, faculty and staff, and alumni.
“The faculty can make a valued judgment concerning where the consolidations and movements of departments in colleges will take place. Enrollment is the life-line of the university,” faculty senate president Sudhir Trivedi said.
With the concerns aired from administrative figures and a faculty representative, the last story in this series will investigate the relevancy of resolutions and the possibilities available in the new Southern.
In the words of Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.”