First three weeks as Chancellor
| June 19, 2009
Since December, when Cathy and I first visited UW-Green Bay, I have been eager to get back to campus and confirm my initial feelings for the campus culture. During the past three weeks I’ve had the pleasure of visiting with many of you, listening to your concerns and sharing in your pride and passion for what certainly is a dynamic and strong University.
During FOCUS, our new student orientation program, it was a pleasure for me to hear what parents of our incoming students had to say — that they feel their sons and daughters will be well taken care of here, and they’ve been impressed from their very first campus contact.
The past few weeks I also benefited from a number of civic and social invitations. I appreciate the hospitality of so many who cared enough to “show the new guy around.” These gatherings, and many private meetings as well, lead me to the conclusion that this is a community that cares deeply about “its” University, students and graduates. I again was taken by the warmth, graciousness and inclusiveness of our community members. I have every intention of continuing these vital connections with our business and community leaders, not only because it is a pleasure knowing these wonderful people, but they are vital to our success as we move forward.
Many of you have asked about my vision and perspective. Let me offer that I have formulated a number of ideas, but I want to visit with more of you, both individually and in groups, informally and formally, before we refine our vision for this campus. I want us to have a campus culture that fosters excellence, innovation, pride, growth, leadership, respect and fun.
I would like to briefly comment on the state budget front. I am sure many of you are aware that the state Senate passed a budget late Wednesday. It includes no apparent changes to the stated $161 million in cuts to the operating budget of the UW System, which was approved previously by the state Assembly. As you may recall, our share of these cuts totaled $3.8 million for the biennium and will be achieved largely by using salary and expense savings and contingency funds for 2008-09 and from the next biennium. Sadly, University faculty and staff will not receive the 2 percent salary increase originally scheduled for this month and will be required to take eight unpaid furlough days (3 percent) each of the next two years (six for those on nine month appointments, prorated for those part-time). Obviously these cuts will have a very significant impact on our campus and you individually. The Senate and Assembly will now look to reconcile differences for the next few days before voting on a final budget that could be signed by Governor Doyle prior to July 1. We will keep you informed of any new developments. This is a difficult time for our System and our university, but it is better to recognize our challenges as we continue to move UW-Green Bay forward. We can, and will, overcome these challenges together.
When Cathy and I return from Georgia on July 1, with our belongings and a new sense of home, we will take some time to enjoy our continuing introduction to this beautiful community. I will continue to work with you to define a strategic direction as we move forward together.
Thank you again for your warm welcome.
Thomas K. Harden