President’s Forum Fall 2008
Attendees: Dr. Shaink, Michael Simon-Manager Office of President & Board of Trustees, Keith Frye-Media & Multimedia Production Specialist, Larry Koehler-Physical Plant Exec. Director/Architect, Scott Jenkins-Vice President Student & Administrative Services, Larry Gawthrop-Chief Financial Officer, Mary Cusack-Dean of Fine Arts, Patricia Markowicz-Dean of Health Sciences, Patricia Bergh-Dean of Humanities, Jennifer McDonald-Student & Administrative Services Resource Administrator, Cindy Sanders-Student & Administrative Services Executive Assistant, Clark Harris-Dean of Technology, Bob Loth-Dean of Business, Johanna Brown-Dean of Science & Math, Delores Deen-Executive Dean of Student Services, Margaret Brainard-Dean of Social Sciences, Troy Boquette-Registrar/Executive Director of Student Financial Services/Executive Director of Student Employment Services, Marc Smith-ITS Network/Unix Specialist, Jane Cera-Interim Executive Dean of Professional Development, Dolores Sharpe-Academic Affairs Academic Resource Administrator, Dawn Vanniman-Student Life Coordinator, Marilyn Morgan-Student Government President and Yakini Brown-Student Government Vice President.
If you weren’t able to attend the Fall President’s Forum, please consider attending the Winter Forum. As you can see, there is a variety of Administrators and Staff to answer your questions and concerns. Some of the concerns (and compliments!) this Fall were as follows:
- Going from Curtice-Mott to Curtice-Mott (how it’s divided), sometimes the doors are locked at 9:20pm.
Scott Jenkins: That will be looked into, but generally people are trying to leave not enter and the doors are locked for the safety of all concerned.
- Will the Auto Tech Program be offering classes in alternate fields, such as hybrids?
Clark Harris: Two faculty are in Hybrid Training right now, the division is hoping to offer more classes in the future.
- For the new cafeteria, the Bear Bistro, how will prices be? Will there be student discounts?
Larry Koehler: The Bear Bistro will open in mid-November. Prices will be competitive with other places in town with a wide range of selections.
- Will there be additions to parking to ease congestion?
Scott Jenkins: No new parking ramps are planned. Statistics show that we don’t need more ramps. Students are not using all of our parking ramp spaces as it is.
- The seating in the Mott Memorial Building is horrible, the seats child sized. The students have been told that they can’t have tables because of the class sizes.
Margaret Brainard: We are very well aware of the situation. There used to be larger desks but when they were replaced it was with the smaller ones. Several years ago there was a plan to enlarge classrooms, but that would decrease the number of classrooms in the building. I am going to hand the rest of the question over to Facilities.
Scott Jenkins: Dr. Fugate and the faculty are working on determining furniture needs for classrooms, the furniture needs differ due to teaching styles.
- Student Life is in an office area, a business building, will it be moved? The students want to be able to decorate and have their own space.
Scott Jenkins: We worked for a long time to get the space that we have now. We are working with Student Life on what the needs are. Also Student Government is stronger each year and will be able to help out with that. They have requested space in the Natatorium and that building is being looked at for a variety of things.
- The Auditoriums on campus aren’t used for things like pageants and the like. Why?
Delores Deen: We do need students to take on projects like these and head them up. Funding is also an issue that needs to be looked at.
- Are there any plans for bike racks on campus?
Larry Koehler: Yes, there are. We are deciding on bike racks now – they must be sturdy, theft proof and still attractive. Our eventual plan is to have bike racks at every building entrance.
Scott Jenkins: MTA has bike racks on the buses and we had a faculty member that headed up a bike trail committee to push for more bike trails. The trailway is not complete yet, they are using environmentally friendly asphalt and need special approval. This activity is being funded by MDOT.
Dr. Shaink: We are an environmentally and energy conscious campus. You may have noticed that the lights in the buildings are automatic-they turn off after a specific amount of time.
- Are we working with Kearsley Park Pavilion? There’s lots of activity there!
Dr. Shaink: We have had a partnership with them for over five years now. There is a ballfield at the other end also. We do have fliers and information posted around campus as to what happens in Kearsley Park. The whole thing is funded by the Ruth Mott Foundation and has really gone far.
- Why were the speed bumps so high, then low, then higher again?
Larry Koehler: The company that put the speed bumps in put them in too high. They were cut down and were supposed to have a cap put on to protect the material. When the cap was put on the speed bumps were too high again. They were once again cut down and capped again. They are all 2 ¼” high now. These slow you down without bottoming out your car.
- Will there be more smart rooms/smartcarts?
Marc Smith: There are more every year, they are putting in close to eleven now. The Vice President of Academics has plans for more.
- Is there going to be more hallway seating in the Mott Memorial Building because more of the classrooms are locked now because they are smart rooms?
Scott Jenkins: We do have furniture in the planning stages. We are looking for furniture that is sturdy, nice looking and doesn’t walk off. We are working on a pilot program for door locks for the smart rooms and then we will be doing the furniture.