I am very happy to be a regular contributor to the newly-designed Campus Connections. I plan to make these bi-weekly notes short and full of information that may be of interest to Meredith employees.

 

The College Budget and Planning Committee and the Senior Management Team were very active in August and September, reviewing our estimated revenue against our actual fall revenue. The two teams projected a shortfall in revenue versus projected expenses but were able to jointly find expense reductions that had no impact on personnel or department operating budgets. The reductions came from a variety of places including financial aid (because of fewer students than planned), laptop purchases (same reason), student food costs (same reason), reduced costs for gas because of a new contract, reduced interest costs and some use of our contingency fund. This amended budget will go the Board of Trustees at their October meeting.

 

We are moving forward with the College’s next strategic plan. An Ad Hoc Committee of the Board of Trustees will propose revised mission, vision and values statements at the October Board meeting. The Ad Hoc Committee used input from the faculty and from discussions at the board retreat to develop these statements. The next step in this planning process is to name a committee that will draft a strategic plan. The draft plan will be given to Meredith’s eighth president to finalize and present to the Board for approval in the fall of 2011. I have asked the following people to serve on this committee:

Lennie Barton, SMT
Lori Duke, staff
Kristi Eaves McLennan, SMT
Candace Fisher, staff
Ellen Graden, faculty
Maureen Hartford (co-chair)
Tim Hendrix, faculty
Jeff Howlett, staff
Jean Jackson (co-chair)
Ying Liao, faculty
Kassy Mies, faculty
Denise Rotondo, SMT
Pam Steinke, staff
Bill Wade, SMT
Barbara True-Weber, faculty
Liz Wolfinger, SMT

I will also add a student and alumna member to the committee as we begin work later this month.

 

Because of its importance to the College, I believe our entire community should play a role in the development of our next strategic plan. Faculty and staff will have many opportunities to participate in the strategic planning process. In the meantime, if you have an idea or a suggestion related to Meredith’s next strategic plan, please email me (hartfordm@meredith.edu) or any other member of the Strategic Planning Committee.

In this Issue:

Welcome to Campus Connections
From the President’s Desk
Presidential Search Update
Senior Visitation Day Held
Family Fun Festival Kick-off for “Be One in a Million” Campaign
Faculty/Staff Accomplishments
Upcoming Events
News Briefs

 

Have you presented research or attended a professional meeting recently? Has your department earned an award? Share news of these accomplishments and more with the Meredith community. Faculty and staff are invited to email items to Melyssa Allen, “Campus Connections” editor, at allenme@meredith.edu.