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April 2008 Letter to Campus

April 09, 2008

Our April 2, 2008, public presentations on our university strategic planning process reflected the vitality of our campus as we move toward the initiatives outlined in Vision 2012.  As I noted, the university strategic planning committee recommended a revised mission statement, as well as developing vision and values statements.  The next step will be to have these documents reviewed by our various campus constituent groups to ensure that they are accurate reflections of our institution.  These reviews will be complete by November 1st and then we will continue the approval process through the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents, as well as the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The campus will soon welcome Dr. James Limbaugh as the Vice President for Strategy, Planning and Policy.  Jim will lead the effort to integrate our separate planning processes to move toward the goals identified in Vision 2012.  This effort takes on even greater importance as we develop our tuition and fee requests for the first time under the guidelines of the Texas Tech University System.  We all remain concerned about the rising cost of higher education for our students, even as funding from the state continues to decline.  Planning allows us to maximize our resources to achieve the highest quality education for our students, while also ensuring that our exceptional staff and faculty are appropriately recognized for their dedication and professionalism.

The campus will continue to see new construction projects identified within the Centennial Master Plan.  The Hardeman building will shortly be vacated to prepare for its reemergence as a “one-stop shop” for student services, as well as for the newly developed Centers for International and Multicultural Studies.  We will also seek approval from the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents for new construction to house the proposed College of Nursing and Allied Health.  All together more than 40 projects are underway to ensure that our campus is able to support our instructional mission in the years to come.

Finally, the second issue of the Angelo State University Magazine will be published this summer with a focus on the rich assortment of research activities undertaken by our highly talented undergraduate and graduate students under faculty supervision.  These activities are reflective of the exceptional academic reputation which ASU enjoys and is a key factor in our ability to recruit and retain the best students possible in a very competitive environment.

While challenges continue, I have no doubt that as a community building on demonstrated strengths and open to new ways of approaching issues we will be successful.  Your continued support, guidance and involvement are key to that success and most appreciated.

Sincerely,

Joseph C. Rallo
President