Building solid futures one student at a time
Office of the President
July 23, 2010
Musings
As Director Alabama Cooperative Extension System (1997-2001), I internally published a reflection piece every month or two. My intent was to keep our employees, who were scattered across all 67 Alabama counties, informed of issues important to our Extension education work, and to apprise them of what was on my mind. I carried the periodic written communication idea to NC State University and the University of Alaska Fairbanks, titling the newsletter as my Musings at both institutions. I chose Musings to honor my Alabama supervisor and mentor, Dr. Bill Muse, Auburn University President during my tenure. Please keep in mind that at each of these three universities, my responsibilities extended to faculty, staff, and facilities at multiple locations across the respective state. Because we are such a tight knit and compact community at Urbana University, I did not institute such a communication vehicle here. However, I've discussed the idea with a number of our employees (faculty and staff) and sense a real desire for a similar internal communication. Please consider this "Urbana University Musings" as my first such communication.
This edition has already appeared in print. The Urbana Daily Citizen published it as a Guest Column July 22, 2010. Because many of you do not live in Urbana and may not see the Citizen, sharing the guest column with you seemed like a good way to share my thoughts about the critical role our University plays as a Steward of Place, using Urbana as the setting. Please enjoy my first Urbana University Musings:
Judy and I are beginning our third year in Urbana, Ohio -- as residents of the city and as the "first couple" at Urbana University. We've thought a lot about the special relationship between our University and our city, just as at prior institutions we've worried over how our home university interacted with those communities. We're asking ourselves some questions. Is our Urbana "town/gown" (yes, that's the term frequently used to describe a university's ties with its community) relationship as strong as it might be? Are we capitalizing on what we can bring to each other? Are we truly Urbana's hometown university? I've learned that the breadth and depth of the relationship are difficult to assess at first glance. Instead of rushing to judgment, I offer these reflections with two years under my belt.
July 17 Urbana University hosted an open house at our new Miller Center for Visual Arts in Browne Hall. Approximately 50 people stopped by to see what we have done. Some of our visitors knew Nancy Miller, who passed away in May; others added the Center to their Art Affair on the Square trek; and a few came just to see the Center. Many people commented on the University and our campus, admiring the growth and complimenting our spacious and attractive grounds. Every visitor we can attract to Urbana University, who enjoys the experience, will then tell others about it, drawing favorable attention to the city of Urbana, and bringing them back for more - at the University and at local businesses.
The day before the Center exhibit, during the third of four scheduled enrollment days, we registered 60 of the approximately 300 new students we anticipate for the fall semester. Many of last Friday's new students brought along at least one parent and most of them drove in from another community, and some from another state. A few had spent the night. I am sure that many enjoyed a meal or two in town; perhaps a handful purchased gasoline. Virtually all of them will be back occasionally for the next four or five years, credit card or cash in hand.
That same Friday Urbana University hosted a busload of Weidmann Electrical Technology employees visiting from Massachusetts to consider whether they will transfer to Urbana as the company relocates here. During my brief time in front of them I extolled the virtues of our city and highlighted the clear benefits from Urbana having a hometown university. Their visit to campus exemplified the reciprocity critical to our town/gown relationship.
Just a week earlier the University celebrated its official acceptance as a full member of NCAA DII athletics, eligible now for post season play. Without worrying about smothering traffic, a place to park, expensive tickets (if they are even available!), and nose-bleed seating, Urbana residents can enjoy high caliber intercollegiate athletic competition from court-side, pool-side, and nearly on the side lines.
Our theatre, band, choir, and other performing arts events enliven campus and inspire the community. And don't forget our winter festival, homecoming week, the fall auction, invited lecturers and special events, and Relay for Life, just to name a few more offerings!
Universities boost the life and vitality of their home towns. Are you taking advantage of it? Are we letting you know what's happening on campus? What can we do to better connect the energy and buzz of campus to you? How can you get more involved on campus? How can all of us more effectively engage our students in the life of the community - including part time jobs, internships, and service opportunities? Those are questions I'm also asking myself and posing on campus and across town. I want to start a dialog about how we can better capitalize on the tremendous advantage our city has over other municipalities that do not have their own university. Please drop me a note at (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you have ideas or want to engage in the dialog. I hope to hear from you soon!
Stephen B. Jones, Ph.D.
President
Urbana University
Williams Hall
937-484-1313