Follow-Up Meeting with President Wyatt

Nov. 13, 2003, at Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce

 

Approximately 90 individuals attended this meeting.

 

Dr. McFarland, Penson Associates Inc. consultant, spoke with President Wyatt after the October 20th Stakeholders’ Conference regarding issues that were brought up while discussing driving forces. It appeared that some of the issues raised at the October 20th meeting needed further discussion with President Wyatt before beneficial strategic planning could occur.  Dr. McFarland agreed to return to Jonesboro to assist the group and Dr. Wyatt in working through the following four topics:

  • Sense of cooperation, communication, campus community, and internal pride.
  • Who we are and who we serve, including the balance between teaching, scholarship, and service (i.e. clarification of our mission, the president’s perspective of our vision).
  • Enhancing the University image, both externally and internally.
  • Finding new resources.

 

1.       Sense of cooperation, communication, campus community, and internal pride.

A.      A participant said he was aware President Wyatt was meeting with various groups of faculty; does Dr. Wyatt believe these meetings are helping?

                                             i.            Dr. Wyatt explained that these meetings came about as a result of The Higher Learning Commission report.  He felt that meeting with smaller groups consisting of faculty, staff, and students would provide him the opportunity to hear their perspective on issues affecting the university.  Other ways in which he is working at enhancing communication on campus is through “Inside ASU”, a weekly campus email, and “First Friday”, a monthly campus email. 

B.      A participant asked if Dr. Wyatt thought there might be a need to schedule regular meetings with the executive committee of the faculty senate.

                                             i.            Generally, because of the limited time on Dr. Wyatt’s schedule, Jennus Burton will meet with the Staff Senate, Rick Stripling will meet with the Student Government Assn., and Susan Allen will meet with the Faculty Senate.  However, he is trying to meet more often with the Presidents of Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, and the Student Government Association.   Because of the time constraints, it’s easier to meet with single individuals rather than a group.

C.      A participant questioned whether problems or concerns really reached administration.

                                             i.            Dr. Wyatt responded by saying that communication was a challenge due to the number of individuals it flowed through (faculty to chair, chair to dean, dean to vice president/chancellor, vice president/chancellor to president).  The intent is that the problem can be resolved before going very far up the chain.  If someone is frustrated by not being heard, Dr. Wyatt said they could contact him.  However, they need to be aware that he may refer the problem back to the dean or the person most appropriate.

                                           ii.            Jennus Burton uses this method within his unit and found that both informal and formal discussions were necessary.

D.      Dr. Wyatt thought shared governance was a good process but that individuals outside the process may not be aware of what’s going on.  Communicating that process continues to be a challenge. 

E.      Regarding communication, a participant observed that many problems could be attributed to “corridor discussions” or “trash talk”.  The facts are not always accurate and yet appear to spread.

F.      A participant asked if shared governance was considered advisory or decision-making.  Some feel that once a recommendation is made, it should be followed.

                                             i.            Dr. Wyatt answered by saying that any type of decision-making process requires both.  All groups affected by the decision should be allowed the opportunity to express their points of view.  Some decisions may not require everyone to be involved in the process.  The Board of Trustees has the authority to make decisions or refer them to the President.  Dr. Wyatt prefers knowing what the groups being affected feel.

G.     The participant continued by asking if a mechanism has been established to inform those involved in the process when a decision is different than the recommendation.

                                             i.            Dr. Wyatt - yes.  If the decision involves, for instance, students, the responsibility for informing may reside with Student Affairs.  If Dr. Wyatt makes the decision, he will get back to the person who made the recommendation.

H.      David McFarland noted that it appeared that it was a collaborative process and questioned if the goal is to go along with the recommendation.

                                             i.            Dr. Wyatt said he preferred it that way but there are times when the President must make the decision.  When that happens, he wants to let people know why he differs.

I.         A participant wanted to know if there was something that could be done to get a better sense of community on the campus (maybe barbecues or get togethers).

                                             i.            There are things on campus now such as the Torchbearers had an ice cream social last week.  There are tailgate parties before the football games.  The Staff Senate coordinates a fish fry each year.  Dr. Wyatt challenged the group to identify things to pull people together.  He would consider paying for some things if it would help.

                                           ii.            A participant suggested that once the Student Union was completed, there might be more opportunity for socializing there.  The Library was a good place but there was not enough parking.  More summer school classes.  Maybe the 8-5 approach.

                                          iii.            Dr. Wyatt said the campus is not the only one looking at this issue.  The chamber is working at trying to pull the community together.  Churches are also facing this situation.

                                          iv.            A participant commented that we live in a busy society and it’s hard to get everyone involved.

                                            v.            A participant suggested that we first have to realize we all have the same goal - to educate and serve our students and the community.  We need to get excited about that and we need to have the spirit of helping.

                                          vi.            Another participant agreed and suggested that in developing the strategic plan, we could come up with this as a common goal - one that everyone believes.

J.       Dr. Wyatt continued the discussion after the break.  Community was considered an important issue at the October 20th meeting.  Is there a commonality of purpose?  Is this view shared by everyone?

                                             i.            A participant stated that the institution is made up of diverse groups but all want to be able to work together.

                                           ii.            A participant said we must build our sense of pride - pride in what we do and who we are.

                                          iii.            A participant believes community comes with a sense of ownership.  It cannot be dictated by administration.  It works from the bottom up as well as the other way.

                                          iv.            A participant suggested we have become a group of people who are not “answering our phone”.  Emails are sent to inform, yet many don’t take the time to read them.

                                            v.            A participant said he believed the electronic classroom was successful at building a sense of community.  Some listservs that do not focus on announcements are good at community building.

                                          vi.            A participant said that community is rooted in identity.  While attending some alumni tailgate parties, alumni talked about traditions.  As a current student, he misses the traditions.  Can they be improved or revived?

o                                                        Dr. Wyatt said that the places of tradition are changing.  A consequence of growing is the loss of some of those traditions.

                                         vii.            Participant said that we should be intentional about community building in our planning.  High social capital and sense of trust contribute to that.  What is it that we can measure?

o                                                         Dr. Wyatt asked the person what the catalyst was at Newport and person responded by saying that Newport had its own champion - someone who would keep the issue in front of the public.

2.       At this point, Dr. McFarland suggested that a “sense of community” might be chosen as a strategic direction in the strategic plan.  He also redirected the discussion toward the topic of trust on campus, specifically the personnel issues that many had questions about.  He suggested that the tough questions be asked.  Can people disagree without the fear of repercussions?

A.      Dr. Wyatt addressed two relatively recent personnel issues. Both decisions were rancorous within the university and community.  Both are fine people.  There was no personal animosity. 

 

            i. After explaining the circumstances in the two cases, Dr. Wyatt assured the group that he could not identify any circumstances where retaliation was evident.  He stressed that free and open communication was necessary and no one should fear repercussions from voicing contrasting opinions.

3.       Dr. McFarland asked if ASU would continue as Division IA?

A.      Dr. Wyatt responded by saying that 12 years ago the ASU Board of Trustees chose to move to the next level in many areas.  One area was in academics, accomplishing that by being approved to offer the first doctoral program (EdD in Educational Leadership).  Another area was in athletics, specifically elevating the football team to Division IA.  At that time, the only requirement was that the institution would need a stadium that would hold 32,000.  Many things have changed since that time.  Some of those changes include the change of members of the Board of Trustees and the change in requirements for Division IA status.  ASU is just now beginning to see the first steps to success toward that goal.  Currently, because of the investment ASU has made toward reaching this goal, the Board wishes to remain in Division IA status.

4.       A participant observed - Flow of money to auxiliary increasing at the same time the flow of money is decreasing to academics.  Is it possible to route money from auxiliary into academics?

A.      Dr. Wyatt - The money would actually flow from auxiliary into the E&G.  That money has been used to provide funds to the debate team and travel funds for R/TV students, for example.

5.       Athletics

A.      Participant said that athletics is a bond to the community - something the region can take an interest in and be proud of.  Athletics helps promote a sense of community. 

B.      Dr. Wyatt said that the largest increase in attendance has been from students and the largest increase in Indian Club members has been ASU employees.

C.      Participant - The problem with athletics is its expense - not a lot of money left for academics.

                                             i.            Dr. Wyatt - It depends on your vantage point or your perspective.  Several areas beside academics wanting more money.  $750,000 is a small amount in the grand scheme to realizing goal of Division IA. 

                                           ii.            Participant - Athletic events bring alumni back to campus, maintaining the bond between ASU and the alumni.  Because of this bond, some alumni have supported the university with endowments.  This is also one way in which the university receives media coverage. 

                                          iii.            Participant asked if we could anticipate costs (for athletics) to increase.

o                                                        Dr. Wyatt - Yes, cost of the increase in number of scholarships.  However, there may be some savings due to the conference changes.  There will be more regional conference games with less geographical range.  There will also be some increase due to adding a new woman’s sport.

6.       Who we are and who we serve, including the balance between teaching, scholarship and service, i.e., clarification of our mission and the president’s perspective of our vision.

A.      Dr. Wyatt - ASU has always had the three elements (teaching, research, service).  ABI is a new addition to the research element, funded with money from the Tobacco Settlement.  However, ASU will not become a research institution.  Teaching will remain its primary activity.  80 percent of credit hours are undergraduate credit hours which further confirm that.

B.      Participant - Will the university maintain the balance of the three elements?

                                             i.            Dr. Wyatt - Yes, not all disciplines have the same requirements but all are judged by comparable standards.  Strategic Planning can help articulate the differences in the institution. 

                                           ii.            Participant - Where does service fit in?

o                                                        Dr. Wyatt - Service is a point of pride and helps build a sense of community.  Responsibility for finding a balance will reside with the academic affairs unit and then be accepted by the President and Board of Trustees.

7.       Image

A.      Dr. Wyatt said that much of his time is spent off campus and, because of that, has had opportunity to talk with students, graduates, and parents who have good things to say about ASU.  How do we change our own perception of our image?

B.      Many agreed there are things about ASU for which we should be proud.  (e.g., academic programs such as Journalism, Radio-TV, Art, Heritage Studies)

C.      Participant raised the concern of the Indian as the mascot.  Participant suggested it might be appropriate to get help from Native American group.

D.      Dr. McFarland suggested it would be helpful to organize focus groups in the community to get an outside perspective of ASU’s image.  We might consider marketing as one of our strategic directions.

8.       New Resources

A.      Participant asked how involved colleges can be in starting their own capital campaigns.

                                             i.            Dr. Wyatt said that ASU was prepared three years ago to launch a capital campaign but with the drop in markets after the World Trade Center bombing, advisors and Foundation Board Members suggested the campaign would not be as profitable.  For something such as a capital campaign, we would like to all “go out together”.  The outcome of the strategic planning process can be used for determining the focal points of the capital campaign.  A clearly defined strategic plan can also be used for attracting donors beyond those of the capital campaign.

9.       Closing remarks

A.      Dr. Wyatt said that he recognized there were those who thought he would not take the emerging plan seriously but he emphasized to the group he was “absolutely serious”.  He said he believed that it was important, as a leader, to know where we (ASU faculty, staff, and students) are willing to go.  This plan will help direct the future of ASU.   He closed by expressing his appreciation for those who have been involved and attended this meeting.