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Editor-in-Chief The State of the University Address took place in the auditorium of the Fine Arts Center Aug. 16. Though Chancellor Jack Lassiter discussed an array of issues, the focus on economics took center stage. Lassiter announced an increase in minimum wage of $1.10 more an hour. Though the law allowed the university to continue paying student workers $5.15, the chancellor opted to begin paying them $6.25 Oct. 1. “The most successful students on campus are those employed on campus,” he said. “Students with jobs here are the most likely to graduate.” The chancellor also revealed that the campus faces a 13 percent utility increase this year. In an attempt to reduce utility costs by 10 percent, the university hired an engineering firm that will be putting in requests for proposals to reduce utilities. The total cost of utilities reached $1.39 million last year. The reconstruction of Weevil Pond, the first project from the masterplan, also found its way into the address. Lassiter announced that the $300,000 undertaking would hopefully be completed by homecoming. “We dug the pond out to make it deeper and improve the water quality so we can irrigate the campus,” Lassiter said. The focus of the address shifted to technology for a brief period. The chancellor discussed the importance of the e-corridor and the renovation of computer labs. Room 120 of the Memorial Classroom Building will be a computer lab and a classroom, featuring laptop computers and wireless Internet. Lassiter also announced an increase in UAM’s graduation rate. The rate rarely exceeded 27 percent in the past, but according to the most recently counted data, it increased 5 percent, giving UAM a 32 percent graduation rate for 2005. “It says something positive about the students and the faculty and staff,” Lassiter said. The chancellor emphasized the importance of passing the Higher Education bond that will be placed back on the ballet in November. “This is a critical issue for this campus,” he said. “We need to pass this bond. We have to make a commitment between now and November to pass this bond.” Lassiter said UAM’s future depends upon students. “The most important thing we do on this campus
is academics,” he said. “Our primary function is teaching.” English Professor Betty Matthews said she was starting her 40th year at UAM and things had never been better. Have a comment? Please e-mail us. ŠThe Voice 2006 Revised 04/14/2006 11:05:03 PM— http://www.uamont.edu/Organizations/TheVoice/4_1/address.htm |
