Delta State University President William N. LaForge delivered his annual State of the University address during opening convocation today at the Bologna Performing Arts Center on campus.<\/p>\n
The address was titled \u201cA Vision of Excellence\u201d and began with a welcome to faculty and staff at the start of Delta State\u2019s academic calendar.<\/p>\n
LaForge characterized the state of the university as \u201cstrong and stable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have made solid advances in several key areas of endeavor,\u201d he said. \u201cAs the saying goes, we are trending in the right direction \u2014 onward and upward.\u201d<\/p>\n
The president highlighted Delta State\u2019s continued efforts to improve and stabilize its budget situation, a second consecutive year with an enrollment increase, the first pay raises for faculty and staff in four years, and the implementation of a visioning process that will lay the groundwork for the university\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
A major area of focus in his speech was the budgeting challenges the institution has faced in recent years, including two unexpected mid-year budget cuts by the state in 2015-16.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause we have put our financial house in order through prudent budgeting and spending, we are able to absorb the recent $435,000 reduction in state support, as well as a three percent cut equating to an additional $725,000 less in state funding in our new budget, all without any reductions to programs or personnel on campus,\u201d said LaForge.<\/p>\n
With savings the university is realizing from outsourcing campus health services, previous program reductions, and other efficiencies, Delta State is continuing to make headway in another focus area for LaForge \u2014 pay raises for faculty and staff. Efforts will continue to bring salaries to at least minimum levels of compensation based on regional market comparisons.<\/p>\n
In this year\u2019s facilities and equipment budget \u2014 completely separate from Delta State\u2019s general operational budget \u2014 the university is providing funding in the following areas:<\/p>\n
– science building furniture and equipment
\n– renovation and furniture replacement in the Union
\n– a new power generator for Bailey Hall to back up technology services
\n– temperature control upgrades in Broom, Gibson-Gunn and the Union
\n– pre-planning and design for a new president\u2019s home
\n– security camera equipment for residence halls
\n– a chiller upgrade
\n– roofing repairs on a number of buildings.<\/p>\n
Grander scale projects that will commence this year include major renovation of the dining hall and Zeigel Hall, razing of the old president\u2019s home, and the building of Statesmen Boulevard connecting Highway 8 to the athletic complex.<\/p>\n
Beyond this year, LaForge also outlined the detailed visioning process that will guide Delta State to a better and brighter future.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur mission has been to look forward and help determine where and what Delta State should be three, five, 10 and 25 years down the road,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
LaForge explained the 10 elements of priority in the visioning process:
\n– academic excellence and student success
\n– providing a student-centric focus
\n– establishing a solid business and financial platform
\n– increasing efforts in the areas of marketing and student recruitment
\n– pursuing new revenue and funding streams
\n– providing programs that encourage a lifelong Delta State experience for graduates
\n– complementing the academic mission with first-class intercollegiate athletic experiences
\n– embracing and enhancing the distinguishing factors that define Delta State
\n– promoting and embracing traditional core values
\n– embracing community engagement and programs.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis visioning process has given us a good jump-start on our future,\u201d said LaForge. \u201cBut to elevate our game and support our vision for the future, we will certainly need significantly more revenue than provided by the State and generated by tuition. It is very clear that we will need substantial private resources to pursue our dreams. The plans for a major fundraising campaign are already underway through the good work of the Delta State Foundation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWith our vision to guide us, let us continue to think and act boldly and wisely, while marshaling all the resources we can to move Delta State toward excellence,\u201d he added. \u201cWe are off to a great start. Terrific opportunities lie ahead for us. It is now time to create the path that will guide us to our vision.\u201d<\/p>\n