PRESIDENT’S UPDATE
SEPTEMBER 10, 2008
Now that the school year is up and running, I want to thank all of you for welcoming our new and returning students back to campus. By all indicators we are off to a good start. Even the unseasonably cool weather assisted in our warm welcome. There are some things you should know so you can continue to tell the Creighton story.
Enrollment: While awaiting a final report on enrollment, it is safe to say we had a very good year across all programs. As of today there are 987 new freshmen (two shy of an all-time freshman enrollment). It has been a positive year, given the economic and political uncertainties. The new class is geographically, ethnically, spiritually and economically one of the most diverse ever. Also, the Registrar is predicting a historically high total enrollment in excess of 7,000 students. Congratulations all around, but especially to our admissions and financial aid teams.
Vice President for Health Sciences Search: Under the direction of Professor Pat Borchers, the committee assembled to select the next Vice President for Health Sciences is under way. At a later date the nominated candidates will be present on campus for your input.
School of Medicine: As reported in my previous update, the University experienced an operating budget deficit during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2008. The deficit resulted from certain challenges associated with the School of Medicine clinical practice. A number of corrective measures are already under way, including recruitment of key leadership positions, restructuring of the clinical practice plan and business development efforts, to name a few. Creighton remains fully committed to medical education and the provision of high-quality patient care in support of that mission, and I am confident that efforts to address the current challenges will produce the necessary financial improvements.
Construction: The Harper Center is open and running and playing to rave reviews. The dedication went well. Thanks all around to the many colleagues who made that dedication such a memorable event. It is evident Creighton has a new “front door.” The Venteicher Mall has been blessed and we can now walk from Morrison Stadium (18th Street) to Gallagher Hall (27th street) uninterrupted, save for modest traffic at 24th Street. The first block of the Webster Street Mall between Harper and Davis Square as well as the 21st Street Mall are both functional.
Somewhere amidst the city’s sewer separation project, the footprint of the Ryan Center and D.J. Sokol Arena is becoming a reality. Quite honestly, given the construction surrounding the campus, it is pretty hard to get a feel for this developing project, but I am confident it is there and under way!
Strategic Planning: As you know, the University has been engaged in a strategic planning process since the fall semester of 2007. The latest draft of the plan is now available for the entire University community to review. It can be found at http://cobacourses.creighton.edu/planningretreat/. (If you access the website from home, you must log on to VPN first). I invite you to comment on the plan by sending an e-mail to Dr. Tom Purcell at tpurcell@creighton.edu. Tom will be visiting standing University groups and will hold several open forums, to be announced later. Comments will be welcomed until October 6, 2008 so the plan can be finalized this semester.
Official University Calendar: The official calendar forCreighton University has been a great success. The feedback from campus has been extremely positive as this "one-stop shop" for campus events has been long awaited. If you have not yet viewed the calendar, please take a few minutes to click on the homepage link at http://calendar.creighton.edu/. You will find an easy-to-navigate listing of all Creighton-related events. Once again, I'd like to thank the technology team from DoIT, which designed this great new tool for campus.
Again, thank you for making the start of the academic year run as smoothly as it did. I will keep you all in my prayers, especially at the Mass of the Holy Spirit on Wednesday, September 10. I will remember also the victims of attacks on September 11, 2001.