[Vision2020] The UI Friday Letter (January 18, 2008)

[Tom Hansen]

Copied and pasted below is the UI Friday Letter for January 18, 2008.

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University of Idaho
Office of the President
Moscow, Idaho 83844-3151
Phone: 208-885-6365
Fax: 208-885-6558

The Friday Letter
A Newsletter for University of Idaho Alumni and Friends January 18, 2008

Dear Friends,

Idaho's legislative session is underway, and this week I stood in front of
the Joint Finance Appropriations Committee (JFAC) on behalf of the
University. In addition to updating the committee on the programs,
activities and recent accomplishments of the University of Idaho, I
presented our budget priorities as aligned with the Governor's executive
budget recommendation for fiscal year 2009. State appropriations represent
just over 30 percent of the University's annual budget, and state support is
critically important to maintaining our leading academic, research and
outreach programs.
	
The successes of our faculty, staff and students - and I am confident that
you share my enormous pride in those successes - made clear the best
approach to take in this presentation to JFAC. I emphasized that for the
University of Idaho, being a leader in all aspects of quality truly matters;
that productivity matters; accountability matters; and the impact of our
faculty, students and alumni matters as it continues to positively shape
Idaho and our nation.

The points I discussed included the strong financial health of our
university, with operating revenues and net assets up and total liabilities
down. This past year we again led the state in the number of degrees
awarded, extramural research expenditures, percentage of students earning
degrees and student retention. Additionally, a point of pride is that over
the past eight years, 85 percent of Idaho's 95 National Merit Scholars chose
to attend the University of Idaho.

Another point of pride, for me personally and for the University, is that
fully 35 percent of our incoming freshmen in fall '07 - 564 students - were
first generation college students. We are three times more successful in
recruiting these students than the national average for universities which
is less than 12 percent. And thanks to the transformative educational
experience we provide, first generation students and their families are
presented with increased opportunities of stunning magnitude when those
students leave with their University of Idaho degree.

Going forward, our highest legislative priority continues to be employee
compensation, because this translates directly to the capacity for us to
recruit and retain extraordinary faculty and staff. This in turn translates
to the high-quality academic experience for which the University of Idaho is
known and respected, and then to improved national competitiveness. We are
gaining ground in employee compensation compared to our national peers: the
universities with whom we compete for faculty and staff. We still have a way
to go, but are encouraged that Governor Otter has once again proposed a 5
percent increase in salaries. 
	
Our other priority requests for 2009 included:

* Sufficient funding to sustain high quality programs at current levels of
service;

* Support to address our backlog of facilities maintenance needs (an
interesting, and sobering, statistic is that the University of Idaho
maintains the most extensive collection of buildings and related
infrastructure of any state agency in Idaho, with 253 buildings valued well
over $800 million - and we currently have an estimated facilities
maintenance backlog of $207 million);

* $428,800 to do planning and pre-design work for our proposed classroom
building in Coeur d'Alene, which is key to meeting our educational
leadership mission in northern Idaho; and

* Support for the Governor's recommendation for endowment funding to support
the "Opportunity" needs-based scholarship program. The support given last
year by the Legislature has significantly improved our ability to extend
necessary financial support to students who might not otherwise be able to
attend college.

I also responded to a wide range of questions from legislators, including
questions on legal education, medical education and concurrent enrollment of
high school students in university classes. If you are interested, you can
listen to the JFAC presentation and/or discussion at: 

http://www.president.uidaho.edu/default.aspx?pid=73075

Overall, I noted this year that a significant benefit is accruing to the
University of Idaho related to our program of renewal: namely, legislators
are publicly voicing confidence in the University, and offering
congratulations for our many accomplishments.

Tim White	
President

Here's the latest news from the University of Idaho:

The Idaho State Board of Education approved the University's request to
proceed with the project design and planning phase to establish a $35
million Idaho Center for Livestock and Environmental Studies in the Magic
Valley of south central Idaho. The center and laboratory, to be operated by
the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, will provide a world class
setting for beef and dairy research. Collaborative efforts with the Idaho
State Department of Agriculture and Idaho Department of Fish and Game will
integrate an animal diagnostic laboratory with the center. The project will
be financed by a combination of state appropriated funds, donations from the
dairy industry and college funds.

This year's Martin Luther King Distinguished Service Awards were presented
Wednesday to recognize individuals and organizations that exemplify King's
ideals by making meaningful contributions to the community through
leadership, service and education. Those honored were:

* Heather Kae, a senior in anthropology from Cataldo and Kellogg, is the
first program service coordinator for the Native American Student Center.

* Victor Mazo, a sophomore architecture major from Victor, is co-chair of
UNITY, a founding member of Interested Men of Lambda Theta Phi Latin
Fraternity Inc., and a member of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlan
(MEChA).

* Nanci Sandoval, a junior microbiology major from Stanfield, Oregon, was
instrumental in the creation of the Multicultural Greek Council that helps
multicultural Greek groups encourage social service, promote cultural
awareness, support the academic endeavors of its members, and provide
programming and recruitment support.

* Irina Kappler-Crookston, senior instructor in Spanish, facilitates
exchange programs to promote international understanding and is an advocate
for minority and foreign students.

* Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlan (MEChA) is a student
organization that actively participates in the advancement of human rights
through different events and activities.

The Lewis Clark Vandal Scholarship Fund made an $8,000 donation to the
Vandal Scholarship Fund as a result of its annual Bob White Golf Tournament.
The funds were raised through donations of businesses and individuals across
the Lewis Clark Valley who sponsored one of the course's 18 holes. Joe
Wagner, chapter president, said he donates both time and money to ensure
that the University's student-athletes are able to excel both on the field
and in the classroom. The chapter's goal is to help deserving athletes with
their educational goals to ensure successful careers for these students
after graduation. For more information about donating to the Vandal
Scholarship Fund, contact Andrea Niehenke at (208) 885-0259 or
niehenke at uidaho.edu.
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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

Came a tribe from the north brave and bold . . .

"Here We Have Idaho"
http://www.tomandrodna.com/HWHI.mp3

"I-D-A-H-O Idaho Idaho Go Go Go"
http://www.tomandrodna.com/Vandals.mp3