ASC President shares college goals (08-18-06)
Adams State College President David Svaldi inaugurated the fall semester by outlining his goals and expectations for the college at the annual all-campus meeting Friday. Faculty and staff filled the ASC theatre to capacity for the meeting, in preparation for the first day of class, Monday, August 21.
Svaldi's priorities include increasing campus diversity, improving student enrollment and retention, increasing faculty salaries, and continuing growth in fundraising. He referred the audience to a draft of his Four-Year Plan and Enrollment Management Plan, inviting comments on his priorities for Adams State.
A draft of Adams State's Self Study report for reaccreditation will also soon be posted on the website for input, according the Dr. Guy Farish. A biology professor and intern in the Academic Affairs office, Farish has been coordinating the college's reaccreditation process, which is required every ten years by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Community members are also encouraged to review and comment on these documents. (Plans are available at: www2.adams.edu/hlc// and www2.adams.edu/president/)
A number of recent college achievements were reviewed by Dr. Frank Novotny, interim provost. These range from completion of an Academic Master Plan to a successful on-line graduate counselor education program to increased state funding and yet another cross country national championship.
"Since last fall, we have turned our financial condition around to the tune of about $3.1 million," Svaldi noted. About $1.1 million is the result of enrollment growth, he said, pointing out the college expects another large freshman class this year.
"This reflects hard work across campus," he said.
In addition, Adams State could receive another $326,000 in base funding from the state over the next two years.
"I will ask the board to set these funds aside to fund our salary improvement needs," Svaldi said. In recent years, assistant and associate professors' salary ranges were increased to achieve closer parity with peer colleges; full professors' salaries still lag. Increases are contingent upon continued enrollment growth, however.
"I desire for Adams State to be the kind of college that our students need," he emphasized. Toward those ends, Svaldi said he will begin by holding himself accountable.
"I expect students to be provided excellent teaching and learning and advising opportunities by highly qualified faculty . . . I expect effective leadership from Cabinet members, department chairs, and program directors. If we all put students first, we'll be able to avoid a lot of problems."
Svaldi developed his Four-Year Plan in order "to realize our mission of providing real opportunity for all of our students. This means having an on-going discussion about how we promote a culture of student success."
With the goal of providing a student-centered education, Adams State will enhance its First Year Experience and continue faculty development through its Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT).
Svaldi noted that the percentages of minority faculty, staff, and students have continued to increase at Adams State, "but our on-campus student population still does not look like our surrounding community.
"I invite every high school graduate of the San Luis Valley to apply to ASC. There is room for and appreciation of each facet of diversity at ASC," he said, noting work on a new institutional diversity plan will begin this semester.
One of Svaldi's goals is to work more closely with area public schools. Following the lead of such proven Adams State programs as the SLV Science Fair and a federally funded project to enhance the teaching of American history, it is hoped this effort will ultimately improve students' college readiness.
On the web . . .
By Julie Waechter
