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West Virginia University is considering its options for the future – and students, staff and faculty should help guide the University in the right direction.
As reported in today’s Daily Athenaeum, University President James P. Clements announced at Monday’s Faculty Senate meeting that he is soliciting feedback for the next WVU Master Plan.
The University’s last plan, the vision for the school into 2010, is about to be fully realized.
Clements said he has been soliciting ideas throughout his first few months but wanted more, adding that those familiar with WVU can help shape its future direction.
"I have done a lot of listening these past several months," Dr. Clements said. "People love this University and have a lot of excitement about the future. It’s a great time to think about what we want to be and where we want to go as a University."
The questionnaire, available through the WVU President’s Web site, asks questions about the challenges facing the world and how the University can adapt to meet those challenges.
"What are some of the challenges, opportunities and successes to build upon?" Clements said. "What are the national and world issues we need to address? I want to hear from as many people as possible."
The form is submitted anonymously without a user ID or password.
Most of the concerns facing WVU are already well known.
We have a Personal Rapid Transit system that, despite the University’s assurances that it works, often doesn’t.
We have technology that fails to fulfill its purpose and deliver our e-mail reliably.
We have a campus alert system that often has half-completed messages and omits important information.
We have also had serious lapses in the way the University has handled previous students’ school records.
The University was recently dragged through one of its darkest periods when the actions of a few led to the awarding of a degree to a student who hadn’t earned it.
Though, reassuringly, we have seen the University scramble to fix those lapses with a new Registrar and implementing recommendations.
Perhaps the biggest lesson WVU can teach its students is to look beyond its borders.
The world is an ever-changing place. In the last year, we have seen the actions of a lone financial institution help bring down global economies.
We have seen the continued effects of war and an emphasis on our global standing.
By teaching students to be more aware – to be more concerned with the happenings of the world – can the University do justice by its students.
That, and by fixing the PRT once and for all.
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