Chancellor's Report, November 9, 2006
Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr.
Board of Regents Meeting
As I noted in my opening remarks yesterday, we had a full agenda for this meeting. Of course, we will give you a break with our December hiatus. However, don’t get too comfortable because our Chief of Staff, Rob Watts, now has our strategic planning process moving into high gear. We have identified a number of areas on which to focus our planning, and we have committees in place. In the coming weeks, we will be crystallizing issues and developing options for your discussion and consideration. This is another reason I suggest we reserve a full day for this process. It is not our intent to deliver to you something with a bow around it for you to say yay or nay. There will be questions crystallized and options put forth that I am hopeful will produce some robust discussion in terms of the direction of this System. The strategic planning process is central to our work.
Over the past months, we have identified a number of specific areas of attention, opportunity, and focus. We also have begun to make changes in the ways in which we look at revenues and expenditures with our budget allocation process. A communications survey commissioned by former Chair Shelnut that will inform our strategic thinking has been completed. Approximately 70 System-level projects have been identified and consolidated, and presidents have begun work on the initial 10. Today, you approved our new model for capital projects. This model takes us to a new, and higher, level of thinking and action around our facilities needs, one that will be much more strategic and much less tactical and political in scope and nature. And now, with our strategic planning process, we will bring all of these important elements together into a connected and focused whole that you will see at the retreat and that will set a clear vision for the entire System.
As I mentioned earlier, my goal for our strategic planning process is to have a set of aspirational goals that are in fact measurable and will drive action at every level of the organization. So, our plan for the retreat is to both provide the context and create the incentives for our institutions to buy into our System plan. We are not trying to create a System university with branch campuses. We fully appreciate that institutions have aspirations, and we are trying to make sure that those aspirations are complementary to our goals and objectives while preserving the uniqueness of each institution.
The timing for our strategic planning process coincides with an important birthday – the creation of the University System of Georgia 75 years ago. The Board first met in an organizational meeting in December 1931 and then got down to business in January 1932. Then, as now, the challenges and opportunities facing the System were large and many. Then, as now, there was a vision and a focus, and they were critical to the progress and success of the System. So we are carrying forward the good work of that initial Board with this process. We were reminded of a bit of this history and past contributions today with Regent Tucker’s presentation to Regents Emeriti Glenn S White and Connie Cater.
Let me shift away from planning to discuss some other items of interest. Over the past month, I have been extremely busy meeting with various System groups as well as outside entities such as chambers and rotaries. This has been a stimulating exercise for me. For example, I spoke before three different groups on one day – a personal record! – at the Office of Information and Instructional Technology conference at beautiful, scenic, rustic Rock Eagle. I’ve met with academic administrators and those responsible for professional development. Next week, I am meeting with System chief advancement officers to talk about crystallizing a concerted effort to make sure we are trying to achieve our advancement potential at every institution. I will also talk with those involved in communications, public relations, and marketing not only in our System, but also at Georgia’s private colleges and universities. These have been and continue to be important meetings for two reasons. First, they allow me to continue to listen and interact with our constituents, both external and internal. Second, as we move forward on many of the Systemwide initiatives, absent the context of a plan, these meetings give me an opportunity to take our message directly to our supporters and our employees. That job will certainly be easier when we have a strategic plan in place. Now, it is critical to get out and about because leadership is ultimately about communication – both sending a message and, even more critically, about listening to how your message is being received and what the concerns are across the organization. Thus, while somewhat taxing personally, this outreach effort also is energizing. Tomorrow, for example, I will be in Valdosta all day.
Looking at the October tracking letter, let me reference a few items. One of them is the Regents’ Test, and as I noted, we will bring you a recommendation in the first quarter of 2007. As promised, in your board materials, is a fact sheet that the Vice Chancellor for Facilities, Linda M. Daniels, has prepared on the Georgia State Olympic Village to aid your understanding and discussion on this property. As many of you are aware, there are proposals to dispose of this property or utilize it in various ways.
Also, the Georgia HERO (Helping Educate Reservists and their Offspring) Scholarship ad ran in three newspapers on October 28 and will run again on January 6, along with a related publicity effort. This program is a joint effort between us and the Department of Technical and Adult Education (“DTAE”), and it provides educational assistance to Georgia military reservists and their offspring in recognition of their active military service.
Yesterday, we recognized two outstanding academic programs in our System. Related to these programs will be the recognition of outstanding faculty during the March 2007 Celebration of Excellence in Education gala. This event will also honor an individual who has made significant and lasting contributions to higher education in Georgia with the Elridge McMillan Lifetime Achievement Award, which is always the highlight of the event. Though the initial deadline is past, please consider carefully Regent Tucker’s comments. If you know of an individual who will burnish the significance of this high honor, please let Regent Tucker know as the University System of Georgia Foundation, Inc. has not yet made its selection. I would also ask you to heed Regent Tucker’s call for support of this event. It does send a strong message to our faculty, our alumni, and others regarding our appreciation for the efforts of these groups in our mission.
Our staff is working to streamline our distribution of meeting agendas in ways that improve our customer service. Now, we haven’t had a change at the Board in at least a month, so beginning in January, agendas will be provided electronically instead of being mailed, which should ensure a more timely delivery and receipt of materials. It will also allow us to provide you more timely data as well as more frequent updates. It should also save multiple reams of paper annually.
Let me also commend the University System Office staff, both here in Atlanta and in Athens, for a tremendous response to the annual State Charitable Contributions Campaign. With a little management focus and a little fun in our campaign this year, we increased our giving 600% over last year for a total of just over $41,000. The Interim Vice Chancellor for Faculty Affairs, Bettie Rose Horne, led the effort and put her usual blend of drive and humor into the fundraising drive. And it was a lot of fun. Of course, it depends on how you define fun. Part of the campaign was a series of drawings, and this Saturday, you will find me along with the cabinet washing the car of one lucky System employee at the Cactus Carwash on Ponce de Leon. I guess that will be fun for them. But it was a great campaign, and I really appreciate the outpouring of support compared with last year.
Let me take a moment to share with you several University System Office staff changes. Mark Demyanek is an 11.5-year University System Office staff member who has been recognized for his excellent handling of many and ever-expanding assignments. Ms. Daniels has appointed him as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Compliance and Operations in the Office of Facilities. Mark, while this is a great move for you, I must inform you that I have reached a rapprochement with Linda, and this promotion does not excuse you from the monthly safety briefing that opens our meetings! Please join me in saluting Mark for his past outstanding work and on his new appointment. Congratulations and good luck on your new assignment!
One of the critical positions in the Chancellor’s Office is that of the Associate Secretary to the Board. Working with the Secretary, the individual in this position has significant responsibilities in the Board meeting preparation and, of course, the Board minutes. Jennifer Fairchild-Pierce has held this position for the past nine years, first as Assistant Secretary and now as Associate Secretary to the Board. You may not know this, but Jennifer has another life. For the past seven years, she has been pursuing her doctoral degree. Beginning in January, Jennifer will concentrate full-time on her studies. So, this marks her last Board meeting in her current role here. Over the past nine years, she certainly has fulfilled her duties with a high degree of professionalism and with consummate grace. Jennifer, on behalf of the Board and the University System, we applaud your work and wish you the very best as you strive to earn your Ph.D. Please join me in acknowledging our appreciation and gratitude for Jennifer’s many contributions.
This is our final meeting of the calendar year. Let me wish everyone here and on the webcast a safe and happy holiday season. I hope your travels and reunions with family and friends bring each of you happiness and perspective on the importance of these ties in your life. Holidays are a time of happiness, reflection, of sharing good times and good memories. We have wonderful events and wonderful feasts. We must not forget, however, as we enjoy the fruits of our labor, that most of the world goes to bed hungry each night. So, as we enter this period of reflection and giving, please remember to give a little something to those less fortunate than you. It makes no difference whether it is your time or your money. Just reach out and make a difference. In the ultimate analysis, that’s the business we are in – making a difference in the lives of people.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my report. I’ll be happy to take your questions.