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A Future We Would
Welcome - How We Measure Up
An Update on the
Recommendations of
Florida State University’s
Commissions on the Future
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Conclusion |
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 I
have endeavored to spell out our accomplishments, but I must also identify
areas where, in my judgment, we have fallen short of our ambition. |
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In
facilities, we are doing extremely well, but we still do not have the funds
in hand to build the much-needed concert hall. The announcement last week
of a one million dollar grant from the Knight Foundation has given us further
encouragement in our goal to build a concert hall worthy of our music and
dance programs, and this project must go forward. |
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In
recruiting faculty, we all agree that we must continue to seek additional
diversity. Relative to other universities, I am not ashamed, but, measured
by our own aspiration, we have fallen short. |
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In
our student recruitment, we cannot let up on our efforts to bring top students,
including Merit Scholars, to FSU. |
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I
would also like to introduce a new subject which, I believe, deserves our
attention. Florida State University has a long tradition of encouraging
moral and civic responsibility through our curriculum and student life activities.
Our faculty has developed a Statement on Values that articulates FSU's basic
ethical guidelines and expectations for student learning and conduct. We
have an Honor Code and system that has many positive features. We have
created a campus climate in which community service is recognized. We are
doing many good things to foster a sense of citizenship and responsibility
in our students, faculty, and staff. |
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But
I believe we can do more to encourage a sense of personal integrity and
honor by examining our current Honor Code and academic integrity policies
and procedures. Academic honor and integrity are fundamental values in
the academy and are essential for scholarship and learning and for educating
good citizens. New technology and Internet sources make plagiarism easier. |
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This
year I want to take positive steps to reexamine our current Honor System
and to identify ways to foster a culture of personal responsibility and
honor at Florida State University. |
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I
have written to Karen Laughlin, with copies to the vice presidents, Faculty
Senate, academic deans, and student representatives to begin discussion
about ways to strengthen our Honor System and to promote a culture of integrity
and honor. I would like to see the concept of academic integrity linked
wherever possible to the concept of citizenship. |
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This
helps students to see that cheating is not simply an individual act but
also a violation of community standards and trust. |
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In
this report, I have tried to give a progress report on our agreed path to
the future, but I would like to way a word now about our past. As most of
you know, we are nearing the 150th anniversary of the legislation creating
the Seminary West of the Suwanee, and we will celebrate that anniversary
next year. |
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It
will be a time for us to look back and understand the significant events
that have shaped this great university. I hope that all colleges and department
will plan to celebrate the rich history of this university and to look forward,
as well. This yearlong celebration will be an important prelude to the launching
of our half-billion-dollar capital campaign. |
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In
the past, I have not been willing to predict the future or even to state
my own view of a vision for the university because I believe that the opinion
of one person is not a proper base on which to build for the future. Instead,
I have advocated a process that would provide us with a shared vision. Today,
I come before you with almost seven years of experience in this job, and
I am now prepared to predict the future, promising you only that I will
not do this again for another seven years. |
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Private
resources will be multiplied. We will move into the ranks of the top 100
universities in endowment in three years, and I predict we will be in the
top 50 American universities in endowment ranking within five more years. |
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Our
student body will continue to be more highly qualified and more diverse
each year. |
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In
addition to our superb on-campus students, we will continue to build our
distance learning programs, serving mature students, students who need to
keep their skills current, and students who cannot come to this campus.
We will set the model for a residential research university that is able
to deliver distance learning to large numbers of off-campus students without
compromising academic standards. |
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Our
sports programs, particularly our women’s sports, will continue to advance,
and we will become a serious competitor for the Sears Cup, which rewards
all-around athletic programs. |
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Our
campus will continue to improve in size and in elegance. A new science complex
will replace the laboratory school, and elegant buildings will replace the
trailers and temporary facilities on which we will have to rely for several
years. We will be known as a place that is worthy of a visit just for the
grounds, the art and the architecture. |
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Our
faculty recruitment--bolstered by the Eppes Scholar programs and continued
private funding--will continue to bring very distinguished faculty to FSU.
The number of national academy members will grow sharply. |
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We
will achieve all the recognitions that identify American universities as
the top institutions. |
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Beyond
these institutional objectives, I believe that FSU will play a significant
role in dealing with issues that are important for the national and world
agenda: |
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- FSU faculty will be leading this country in discovery of effective
treatment of our most serious diseases, including cancer.
- The FSU medical school will be built on a model that promises us national
leadership in development of a system of health care that provides for
the underserved.
- The development of the FSU/Ringling Center for the Cultural Arts will
become one of the most renowned venues in this nation for the visual
and performing arts.
- FSU faculty and even volunteers from faculty and staff will help develop
better ways to support public education through the use of technology
and through the application of broad community resources.
- In cooperation with the Navy and its all-electric ship project, FSU
will play a leading role in research to free us from the reliance on
petroleum, which fouls the environment and complicates our foreign policy.
- FSU and the Collins Center will help in the revitalization of the
most essential element of our nation’s fabric, the participation of
its citizens in its government and community activity.
- The FSU Center for the Advancement of Human Rights will contribute
significantly to the development of international human rights standards
and the training of vigorous and knowledgeable advocates.
- The Commissions on the Future of FSU laid out some remarkable challenges
for us, but, as I reflect on their work, I am amazed at all that has
been accomplished in just three years
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This
university is on the road to greatness, and I urge all members of the university
community to continue dreaming and acting with such great energy to make
those dreams come true. |
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Introduction |
back to VIII |
