Dean's Message - Convocation 2008
College of Arts and Sciences Convocation message
Culture Changes: A New Petri Dish or Simply Add Fertilizer?
Faculty, staff and other friends:
We seem to be in a state of transition, one that presents opportunities and challenges for the future of this College. Such transitions beg for shifts in the culture of the institution, with significant departures from current programs and even the way of life for our students. Certainly, any system will change over time as old ideas, philosophies and ways give out to new thoughts and actions. Idaho State University is rapidly becoming a more research-intensive university, which will assuredly invoke changes in the makeup of our academic population as well as, perhaps, in the way our surrounding community views us.
Many of us recognize that this change in culture actually is in progress, yet any manifestation of such change is not immediately obvious. Our undergraduate population is still made up of 70 percent non-traditional students. These students are independent, with mid-twenties and higher levels of maturity. Most of them are commuters with families and are supported by other jobs and/or student financial aid. Do we risk damaging or losing this special culture that we have embraced for years, and which promotes the ideals and lifestyles of our rural western community, or do we envision an opportunity to change to a new culture with the accompanying increase in non-Idahoans in our midst?
The question I have is not how to change the culture, but how do we embrace the culture we currently have and still expect an overall change in our student population as academic programs undergo pedagogical shifts and curricular design modification? I believe we can embrace and cultivate the existing culture in a way that brings the provincial attitudes of southeast Idaho closer to worldly expectations, and bring the rest of the world here for an experience unlike any other. Pocatello and ISU could, very likely, become a cultural melting pot, both in the socio-economic sense and in academia. Just think of how this community has changed in, say, the previous two decades, if you have been here that long. If you are relatively new, think about what potential this community has, then dive into the pool of opportunity that is afforded by the great outdoor classroom, western-style activities, friendly neighbors, and, maybe one of these days, a completed Greenway along the Portneuf River.
ISU’s role in this cultural change must be one that demonstrates strength and vision. We must take positive approaches to our challenges, and never, ever give up on the notion that this can be a better place, nor should we ever promote the pessimistic attitude that this used to be a great place or we have lost something that we once had. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Of course, one might repeat the old adage: “An optimist believes that we live in the best of all possible worlds, and a pessimist fears that this is true.” However, no improvements can come without some degree of challenge or hardship.
For example, we expect to have a greater proportion of non-resident students coming to ISU, from all parts of the country and the world, and we want them to succeed. This presents some special challenges, and certainly a change in how we treat incoming freshmen. Indeed, we want all students from hither and yon, be they Idahoans or Iowans, to succeed with their successes being the driving forces behind, and the billboards that announce, the advancement and progress of the institution.
New faculty members coming to ISU often have a different set of expectations compared to faculty who arrived here over a decade ago. This is not unusual; yet, those of us who have been here for some time must recognize that these young upstarts have different needs and goals compared to what we desired so many years ago. Both the new faculty and the experienced ones must nurture collegiality and learn from each other, seek out ways to interact, and enjoy the transition in culture that is upon us.
Another important facet of culture change in our institution likely will be the appearance of more interdisciplinary programs and joint appointments between departments, and even between colleges. Our new culture must embrace the differences we might have with the realization that such differences can mean greater opportunity for collaboration rather than redundancy.
So, as we grope, uh, I mean map our way to the future, remember that “the best way to predict the future is to help create it.” I took that from an email signature having a NASA origin (Barbara Cohen, but I have no idea who said it first; it could have been her). So, let’s think about how we make our plans, elucidate our goals and outline our objectives to meet them.
I’d like to focus on strategic plans and initiatives that build on existing strengths, and work together to promote growth in enrollment, academic programs and extramural funding. I’d like to see the programs in our College build more flexibility and focus on interdisciplinary subjects to enable such growth. ISU needs some marketing, with good labels announcing thematic and unique programs that will become increasingly important. We can create more interdisciplinary degree programs if necessary, or we can modify existing ones that reflect our uniqueness.
Remember always that the College of Arts and Sciences is made up of a diverse group of people, but we have lots in common, and we trust that all are dedicated to collegial interaction that will keep the College intact and on track to a great future. We have lots to do, and it makes sense for us to be proactive rather than reactive when it comes to making changes and improving the college. Always remember that by improving our College we improve the University and the community. That means we improve our individual lives and careers, too.
One final thought before we whither from dehydration or boredom. Enrollment is a huge issue right now. Student acceptance and retention need to change and our graduation rate needs to increase. This College represents the academic home for most undergraduates. We must plan to nurture students in a way that instills a sense of belonging, a sense of possession, and a real sense of pride in being a Bengal at ISU. Non-resident student applications are not only expected to increase, they are essential to our success. We need to continue promoting and marketing our institution and our great lifestyle. These are probably the greatest factors that will enable changes in our culture and the overall makeup of the student body. I really look forward to these changes and to some fun and exciting interactions with all of you in the future.
Scott Hughes