Growth, challenge & change

Chancellor calls for the need to be bold in State of Campus address

By Allison Reitz

Growth, challenge and change were the key words in Chancellor Jean F. MacCormack’s State of the Campus address on Thursday, February 15.

Provost Anthony J. Garro will be leading the reassessment of the 2000-2010 strategic plan in the coming months. The speech supplied the chancellor with a chance to publicly assess the current stage of the university’s growth and open a dialogue with students, faculty and staff about the university’s direction in the future.

MacCormack acknowledged, “We have had many obstacles, but by holding to our mission and embracing a vision that expanded our horizons, we have truly grown.”

Though growth of the faculty and research funding were mentioned, the student body was a primary focus. The chancellor noted that there are approximately 8,800 undergraduate students, and the student population has become more diverse — and increasingly residential.

The renovated “smart” classrooms, 2,000 additional residential spaces, the opening of the Fitness Center and the improvements to the dining halls were cited as a response to past growth of the student body and campus community.

Despite the recent improvements and expansion, MacCormack admitted that campus growth, in all its forms, is not about to slow.

“I don’t think it will be a surprise for me to say that we’re not done growing,” the chancellor stated. “Our growth now must be more focused and be more finely tuned around continuing to enhance quality.”

MacCormack emphasized, though, that this fine-tuning must involve the whole campus community.

"Every time we wanted more, we gave up something for the promise of more. We have to do that same thing again now; we have to say we have accomplished a great deal but we’re willing to be bold for the promise of more,” she stated.

The chancellor continued, “We have to define what that ‘more’ is. It’s not prescribed by the chancellor; it’s not prescribed by the provost. We have to listen to each other and to the things going on in our world. We have to be bold if we want to lead.”

This call for bold action applies even to students. MacCormack urged, “Donít stand on the sidelines. Share your ideas. Lead. Exercise your powers. I pledge to you that you will be heard. I especially look forward to a continuing dialogue with the faculty and student leadership.”

In her speech, MacCormack offered some of her own suggestions for the campus’ direction in coming years. For example, she hinted that admissions standards might need a second look and some revision.

“We need to reconsider the mix of our 10,000 students: graduate and undergraduate, international and domestic, transfer and first-time freshmen, traditional and non-traditional, regional and statewide or out-of-state, honors and academically disadvantaged,” the chancellor expressed.

She stressed the importance of finding the correct answer to the question: “Who is the UMass Dartmouth student of the future, and how are we ensuring a personal, challenging, transforming experience?”

International and integrated learning were also earmarked as goals for the future.

The chancellor stated the importance of exposing students to “international perspectives and experiences” and noted the neglected resource of studying abroad.

“Is studying abroad something we embrace and encourage?” MacCormack asked, continuing, “How can we make it accessible and affordable?”

Integrated learning, which recently has become a focus for institutions such as Harvard, should also be pursued, MacCormack said. Critical thinking skills and innovative imaginations, as well as commitment to democracy and society were mentioned specifically.

“What should we be doing to integrate service learning into our curriculum?” MacCormack asked. “We need to be clearer about how these integrative learning goals are achieved and demonstrated.”

These were specific suggestions, but more general recommendations from the chancellor included becoming more accessible, innovative, collaborative and willing to practice self-examination.

At the heart of the whole matter of change and expansion are the students. MacCormack did not let this detail escape her. She declared, “I believe we have more to do to ensure that every student feels that UMD is completely dedicated to his or her success.”

The chancellor did not ignore the struggles and disagreements that the campus has experienced over the years. However, she used the difficult times to make a point about sticking together and being stronger for it: “I am proud of all of you for confronting the adversity and conquering it, really, and for maintaining, through all of that, the sense of community.”

MacCormack sounded hopeful for the future throughout her address, saying, “I think we have emerged more stubborn than ever about our mission to create meaningful teaching and learning opportunities that allow people to reach their full potential — that’s what we’re here for.”

Students who wish to make their voices heard on this matter have a variety of options available to them. The chancellor’s e-mail address and phone number are public, opening her as an outlet for students’ thoughts and concerns. She can be contacted at extension 8004 or via e-mail at jmaccormack@umassd.edu.

Students can also speak with their class representatives, who hold Student Senate meetings in the Board of Trustees room of the Foster Administration Building each Monday at 6 p.m.

MacCormack has a discussion opportunity coming up on Monday, March 12, when she will be joining the Student Senate for their meeting. Meetings are open, and students are highly encouraged to show up and make their voices heard.

With the monumental growth of UMass Dartmouth in recent years, overcrowding has been a chief concern among both students and faculty alike. In her State of the Campus address last Thursday, chancellor Jean MacCormack acknowledged the various struggles the campus has faced during its recent surge in growth, claiming that quality will remain part of the university’s plans for the future.