NewsRelease

Chancellor Calls on Campus to Meet
Challenges as New Year Starts

    GREENSBORO—In a year certain to be fraught with budgetary woes, Chancellor Patricia A. Sullivan asked faculty and staff to remember the impact they make in the lives of North Carolinians and the trust the citizens have placed in the University.

“Each day as we do our jobs, we need to think about and act in ways that promote the preservation of trust – the public, our alumni and, most importantly, our students deserve our fidelity and are here to fulfill their dreams to be challenged, nurtured and inspired,” she said. “We can’t let them down. Our public expects us to make a difference in the life and future of this state.

“So as you go about your work, ask yourself – how does what I do make a difference in the lives of North Carolinians for the better?”

Sullivan said that each person makes a difference — look at the lives of Ghandi, Mother Teresa, the man who stood down the tanks in Tienamen Square or the little girl who was the first to integrate the public schools, she said. They each held the power of one. “The power of one person to make a difference in another’s life; to return gifts with acts of kindness and generosity," she said. "The power of one to believe in ideas and values and to act on them to inspire others and effect change. The power of one to lead and challenge. The power of one to serve.”

The chancellor spoke to faculty and staff as part of her annual “State of the Campus” address. During the address she acknowledged 46 new faculty; new deans Dr. Robert Brown (Continual Learning), Dr. James Petersen (Graduate School), Dr. Rosemary Wander (Research); Interim Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Tim Johnston; and new Director of Multicultural Affairs Audrey Daniel.

She noted UNCG can expect its largest student population ever with more than 14,000 students, 2,000 of whom are freshmen. Admissions officials reported later that for this year, UNCG expects to have its largest freshman class; largest undergraduate and graduate enrollments, and largest overall enrollment; and highest residence hall occupancy. UNCG will continue to have the highest minority representation of any historically white campus in the UNC system.

And she noted another precedent: “I am absolutely delighted to announce that you have once again set a new record by garnering $35.6 million for research funding in 2001-02. …The challenge will be to maintain this momentum in the face of our current budget challenges. We in the administration will do all we can to facilitate your work and cultivate your success.”

In the year ahead, UNCG’s top priority will be the successful completion of our Self Study for SACS and the NCAA. Two visiting teams are expected to come in February.

UNCG must also move forward with its next strategic plan, using the same process as 1998-2003. The drafting committee is already at work on the first draft of a UNCG plan 2003-2008. Once a draft is complete, it will be posted on the Web and published in Campus Weekly and for public feedback.

Other priorities include: handling budget pressures, accountability and stewardship, leadership for the region to stimulate economic development and recovery, and continued growth of the research enterprise

“As is the hallmark of the UNCG community no matter the challenge, we continued to rally and move the University forward in the face of pain and difficulties,” the Chancellor said. “Caring is a hallmark of this community. For your caring, compassion and dedication I am very proud and grateful. This year will present its own unique challenges, and without a doubt difficulties, but I am confident that your resilience will help us continue the momentum toward our long-term aspirations and goals.”

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