In his fall convocation, Northern Michigan University Interim President Gavin Leach celebrated faculty and staff achievements, along with the continuing overall enrollment growth and strong financial footing that have enabled the university to navigate the ever-changing higher education landscape more effectively than many other institutions. Not content with the status quo, Leach plans to expand efforts to explore transformational ideas that will drive innovation and progress while still supporting the university's core values and unique identity. He said bold thinking is required to make Northern distinctive in today's “hyper-competitive recruitment environment.”
“We've said it many times in the past and it's absolutely true right now: Everyone on this campus has an impact on enrollment,” he stressed. “Enrollment dollars cover almost two-thirds of Northern's general fund costs, so its impact is immense. Our campus has proved it comes together to address challenges; we've done that many times before and are ready to do so again.”
Leach praised the strength of Northern's academic programs, its commitment to making the campus a safe and welcoming place for students, its impact on and service to the community, and physical upgrades via construction projects in progress or pending that will enhance teaching and learning. But he countered that the university needs to be prepared to tackle challenges on the horizon. One of the most fluid situations facing higher education relates to federal funding decisions.
“I thank all of those involved in impacted areas for your patience as we continue to work with our federal legislators, look for alternative funding options and explore contingency plans,” he said. “A silver lining in the federal funding see-saw is that budget cuts to several of the biggest financial aid programs that had been discussed did not go through this year. That was a big relief for us, our students and their families. Those cuts would have been in the millions of dollars. We will continue pushing to keep them from happening next year.”
Leach summarized his top five focus areas as interim president:
1. Enrollment – develop a strategy to keep Northern on a positive path for enrollment, including plans to adapt to changing markets that will impact enrollment success in future years. Transfer students will play a big role as a result of free community college in Michigan, which has impacted in-state enrollment, particularly from the Lower Peninsula.
2. Budget strategies – “As state budget negotiations get underway, we will continue our advocacy and telling the Northern story, making sure the legislature and executive office know the important role Northern plays in the region and the state,” Leach said. “We're also sharing the great success stories of our students. It's important that the state continues its investment in higher education through increased appropriations. Once the budget gets finalized, we can again concentrate on our No. 1 legislative priority: capital outlay and securing construction authorization for the new College of Business addition to Hedgcock. I would really like to break ground in May.” NMU will also secure private giving for academic programs and facilities.
3. Transformational concepts – Leach said Northern can't be timid about exploring new paths.
4. Keep positive momentum in implementing “Our Compass,” NMU's strategic plan focusing on people, place and student potential. Progress on the plan's three Grand Challenges will be the featured discussion topic at the fall semester university forum that will be scheduled in the near future. The forum will also highlight steps needed to prepare for Northern's visit from the Higher Learning Commission next fall as part of the process to reaffirm its accreditation.
5. Maintain positive and transparent communication with all NMU stakeholders.
NMU's convocation is traditionally held the Wednesday prior to the first day of fall semester classes, which falls on Monday, Aug. 25 this year. The provost, Academic Senate chair and ASNMU president also delivered remarks during the event. View the convocation in full here.