Tracy to Campus: Welcome Back
The president outlines challenges and opportunities for the new academic year, including an accreditation visit, administrative software conversion, preparing for a potential flu outbreak, and the presidential search.
With retirement looming next June, President Saundra Tracy welcomed faculty and staff back for a new academic year with opening remarks at Fall Conference on Aug. 27.
“This year will be a particularly special one for me personally,” she said. “I intend to savor the events and activities, all the more sweet because I know there will not be more of them. I still love my job and this place. My goal always has been to retire while I’m still having fun.”
The new year “holds great promise” because of another strong incoming class, improved facilities and new academic programs, including a new general education curriculum and a proposal from the Signature Program Team for an Integrated Health program, she said. An anticipated 430 new students are expected this fall — the first time in Alma’s history of three consecutive years of 400 or more new students.
Saundra Tracy, last spring at the sculpture dedication.
“Alma College is positioned well at a time when some of our sister institutions have made the news with personnel cuts and pull backs on building projects,” said Tracy. “Alma College is a good story to tell right now, and I believe this positive perception in the marketplace will help us through Michigan’s difficult economic times.”
President Tracy outlined five specific challenges and opportunities for the year ahead:
• Dealing with the impact of the current economic environment. The economy has had a significant impact on Alma and every other higher education institution, said Tracy. At Alma, the endowment dropped from a value of approximately $101 million on June 30, 2008, to around $79.7 million June 30, 2009. In addition, Alma students have more financial need, increasing what the College expends on financial aid.
“The bottom line is that this year’s budget is balanced and has no reductions in basic operating lines, positions or other critical areas,” said Tracy. “Alma College is in very good shape given the environment and what we know about our peers.”
• The Higher Learning Commission re-accreditation visit scheduled for Nov. 2-4. A self-study has been prepared by the Accreditation Task Force, chaired by Ann Hall. “I ask that you become familiar with the self study, participate in a briefing in your area in preparing for the team visit, and participate in one of the open forums with the visiting team in November,” she said.
• The campus conversion of its administrative software systems to the new Datatel system. “This is a huge undertaking, and while not very glamorous, will make extraordinary improvements in the day-to-day operation for each member of the campus,” she said. An early December campus-wide kick-off of the project is planned.
• Preparing for a potential H1N1 flu outbreak. “Our Wellness Center has developed a prevention action plan that will be enacted immediately,” she said. “We also will have action plans in case of an outbreak and in case of widespread illness. These measures are designed for faculty and staff as well as students.”
• The Presidential Search. The search committee, made up of trustees, campus and alumni board representatives, begins its work in September. The anticipated timeline is to have a candidate presented to the Board of Trustees at the February 2010 meeting.
“In closing, may it be a year that we look back on as one of tangible outcomes, continued progress and a strong and supportive campus community,” said Tracy.
Posted: Thu, August 27th, 2009 at 2:14PM
