Chancellor Issues 2004 Challenge: Retention, Research, and Reputation

By Leigh DuPuy

An influx of new faculty, the admission of the most talented class to date, unprecedented sponsored projects, and garage repairs were at the forefront of Chancellor Jo Ann Gora's convocation address to faculty and staff at a breakfast held on September 17 in the Ryan Lounge.

"This was a year of unparalleled uncertainty," opened the chancellor, referring to the months challenged by serious budget cuts, gubernatorial proposals to restructure the university, and transitions in the UMass presidency. "Despite this uncertainty, we moved forward to fulfill promises made and to chart new initiatives," she said.

Some of these goals included hiring faculty to replace those lost to the early retirement program of 2002. Provost Paul Fonteyn introduced the 21 new tenure track faculty at the breakfast, all of whom hail from top institutions.

The chancellor went on to praise the achievements of faculty and staff, celebrating highlights that include national and international recognition of their research, writing, and awards. Most notably, UMass Boston's research funding totaled over $30 million for the fiscal year 2003, an 11 percent increase over the previous year and an 18 percent increase in the number of awards.

One such award brings the state-of-the-art Environmental Sciences and Technology Complex, also known as BEST Park, closer to fruition with a $1.5 million federal earmark that allows the university to move forward in development plans.

The quality and dedication of the university's students was also a focal point of the chancellor's address. Both the university and its honors program are seeing the academically strongest and most diverse class in years. The chancellor expounded on the importance of improving student retention and outlined new initiatives designed to help students develop close relationships with their peers and the faculty.

Chancellor Gora elaborated on critical improvements to the university's physical plant, including the completion of the campus's first new building in twenty years, the Campus Center, slated to open on time and on budget in April 2004, and a master planning process to imagine the build-out of the campus from now until 2020.

She also outlined a plan to repair the university's garage. She said, "Twenty-five million dollars plus additional borrowing will enable us to make repairs to the garage, properly and completely. And with the $40 million we have received in the new UMass Boston Building Authority bond issue, we will build a new parking garage in two years so will be able to close the old garage and repair it without unduly inconveniencing the campus."

How else do we move forward in 2004? The chancellor set forth three challenges to her audience: "We must give special attention to these three areas: improving student retention and graduation rates, increasing faculty productivity, and raising our profile locally and nationally."

She authorized the formation of the Center for Environmental, Health, Science, and Technology (CEHST). "The major focus of the center," explained Gora, "will be to understand the impact of economic development and urbanization of the ecosystem, human health disparities, and environmental policy."

With new research and a focus on student retention, Gora stressed the third critical piece: "Every one of us has a role to play in raising the visibility and improving the reputation of our campus." These efforts will not only help with further funding, but also in attracting and retaining a "diverse and talented student body."

The chancellor concluded by thanking faculty and staff for their continued dedication and hard work. She said, "I pledge to you that I will work with Interim President Wilson, my fellow chancellors, and our Board of Trustees to seek the support of the Legislature and the governor for this funding so that, at long last, we can deliver the financial recognition all of you deserve."

She concluded by urging all to embrace the future as "ours to shape" and extending her official welcoming of the academic year of 2004. Read the chancellor's full speech at

www.umb.edu/news/2003news/general_news/09convocation_speech.html

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