Board Report: May 2005
by Stephen J. Ciesinski '70, Chairman, Board of Trustees
Dear Friends of Union -
All Union board members were shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic death of Christie Sorum, Dean of Faculty and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Christie died on Monday, May 16, after a heart attack several days earlier. It has been our privilege to work closely with Christie for a number of years. She was a keen proponent of undergraduate research and international study, an innovative builder of community, and an able and dedicated administrator, leader and teacher. Christie once said, 'we define ourselves not by our majors but by the broad learning we wish our students to gain.' Christie's voice has helped to define Union College, and we are stronger for having had her with us. Christie's life and accomplishments were celebrated in a beautiful memorial service last Wednesday and all of our best wishes go out to her family, especially her husband, Paul, and her daughter, Eve.
Jim Underwood named interim president
I was pleased to announce on Saturday that the College's Board of Trustees named James Underwood, a popular professor and former dean with more than 40 years of service to Union, as interim president. Jim's vast experience as faculty member and dean of faculty will serve him well in leading Union. He was the obvious first choice from a strong pool of candidates on campus to keep up the momentum of the College. He is a respected scholar who has taught generations of Union students how to lead. I look forward to working with Jim on the College's priorities. Jim has long been a favorite among alumni, always keeping in touch with his former students - and in many cases teaching their kids. He is well known not just because of his long service to the College; he is one of the most active faculty members on the alumni speaking circuit. Jim and his wife, Jean, have traveled the country many times to visit alumni. I am delighted that Jim has agreed to guide the College through this transition while the Presidential Search Committee, chaired by Frank Messa '73, continues its work.
Tribute to Roger Hull
The trustees joined other members of the Union community for a dinner in honor of Roger Hull, who is stepping down from the presidency at the end of June. Roger accomplishments over his 15 year tenure were truly remarkable, and even transformational, and we are indebted to him for his contributions. In his honor, the Board voted to do three things: rename Library Plaza as 'Hull Plaza,' establish the Roger H. Hull Community Service Award to the senior who has rendered the greatest sustained service to the greater Schenectady community, and establish the Roger H. Hull Summer Community Service Internship to assist a student interested in pursuing a career in community or non-profit service in a 10-week community service internship.
Roger's remarkable career will be highlighted in the College magazine.
ReUnion Weekend
The weather was spectacular and spirits were high as more than 1,400 alumni from the classes of 1935 to 2004 came to campus for ReUnion 2005. Highlights included the 50th ReUnion medallion ceremony on Friday, alumni parade and convocation on Saturday morning, and ReUnion fireworks (courtesy of Steve Ente '75) on Saturday night. Three alumni - Charles Roden '60, Peter Smith '70 and Patricia Seftel '80 - received Alumni Council Gold Medals. Peter Tobiessen, professor of biology, received the Faculty Meritorious Service Award. The 50th ReUnion Class - 1955 - took both the Anable Cup (for the greatest number in the Alumni Parade) and the McClellan Cup (for the highest turnout at ReUnion). The Class of 1975 won the Van Voast/Class of 1941 Cup (for best costume) and the Class of 1943 ReUnion Award (for overall ReUnion effort).
Academic Affairs
The trustees were delighted with the news that the College is receiving $1.7 million for equipment, lab upgrades and training under a state grant that partners Union with Superpower Inc. - a developer and manufacturer of superconductor material -- and Schenectady County Community College.
James McLaughlin '93, former associate director of athletics at Brown University, has been named director of athletics. He has a long Union connection, having been a football player and assistant football coach. He earned his MBA from Union in 1997.
Professor Harold Fried of economics was installed May 4 as the David L. and Beverly B. Yunich Professor of Business Ethics. The late Mr. Yunich, former head of Macy's and chairman of the Metropolitan Transit Authority, was a Union trustee from 1966 to 1970.
Among recent conference activities, Union hosted a conference on 'Developing Faculty Leaders' in April with deans and faculty from a dozen top-tier institutions; a conference (with Schenectady Museum) called 'High Voltage Fields' which explored the intersections of art, science and technology - a key part of our Converging Technologies imitative; and Tech Valley Symposium, with presentations by faculty and students on regional developments in technology.
Visual Arts and Computer Science are hiring a three-year visitor to introduce a CS course for digital arts students (open to all on students) that will serve as a new pathway into a CS minor or major. It will be followed by an intermediate course.
Union was well represented at this year's Summit in Tech Valley. Trustee Mark Walsh '76 served as event emcee, and Walsh and Trustee Steve Ritterbush '68 were featured in breakout sessions. Ritterbush also served on a panel of judges for a $100,000 business plan competition.
The trustees were pleased to hear of a number of student distinctions. Among them, Adam Grode '05 received a $22,000 Watson Fellowship to study 'Long-necked Lutes from Baku to Bishkek: A Musical Journey in Central Asia.' Two juniors with long records in undergraduate research - Fatima Mahmood and David Olson - were named Barry Goldwater Scholars, a prestigious award that supports students destined for doctoral study. Robert Dunton '05, computer science, took first place in the design competition at the American Society for Mechanical Engineers regional conference and will represent Union at the nationals this fall.
Among many faculty distinctions, Prof. Hugh Jenkins of English received the Stillman Award for Excellence in Teaching. Prof. Don Rodbell, geology, received a four-year grant from the National Science Foundation to study evidence of climate change in the central Andes, a project that will involve a number of Union students. Prof. Mark Toher, classics, has been named a Loeb Fellow and receives a sabbatical enhancement of $30,000 while a visiting scholar at Wolfson College in Oxford. Prof. Mark Walker, history, was interviewed for an upcoming NOVA documentary on PBS about the Nazi nuclear development program in World War II, which is to air this fall.
Cherrice Traver, professor of computer engineering, has been named dean of engineering and computer science. She is an ambitious professor who serves as advisor to a number of student researchers and technology clubs. She is an active researcher and grant-winner in the field of asynchronous digital circuits and systems. A consultant to several national laboratories, she is the author of more than 30 journal articles. She succeeds Robert Balmer, who is retiring after a distinguished tenure at Union in which he led the development of the College's unique Converging Technologies initiative.
The board congratulates and thanks four faculty members. Megan Ferry of modern languages, and Rebecca Surman of physics, were granted tenure and promoted to associate professor. Chris Duncan of visual arts, and Kathryn Lesh of mathematics were promoted to professor.
The Trustees heard a report from the Academic Reputation Committee, chaired by Prof. Tom Werner, which made a number of recommendations for enhancing the College's growing reputation for academic excellence. Among the recommendations: using the presidential selection process as an opportunity to promote the College's excellence by appointing distinguished academics to the board of trustees, providing support for and communication about new initiatives such as the Minervas and Converging Technologies, investing in student recruitment, ensuring competitive faculty compensation, and encouraging scholarly activity and service.
Student Affairs
The arrival of the Minerva Houses and substantial changes in College housing have combined to create a sense of new possibilities in student life. These new trends have been tempered somewhat by some security incidents, and Campus Safety - with local police and help from the College community - have taken a number of measures. They include more Campus Safety officers assigned to foot and bike patrol; increased collaboration with Schenectady police, which has augmented patrols around campus; additional lighting; and the construction of a Campus Safety kiosk along Park and Huron Streets, a common byway for pedestrian students.
There has been a nice validation of the significant recent investments in College housing: for the first time there has been a marked decrease in the number of students requesting to live off campus, and students prefer Union's housing options to anything they might find off campus.
The board was also pleased to learn that the Greek societies have not only weathered the introduction of the Minervas, they have 'stepped up' with stronger leadership, getting involved as co-sponsors of events with Minervas. A member of the residential life staff has worked closely with the Greeks on leadership development, alcohol education, house maintenance and fire safety. Although there are lingering negative feelings among some senior Greek members, the student body in general is adapting well to having more choice in social options.
Admissions, financial aid, communications
Union received the largest application pool in history (4,225, an increase of 4 percent over last year) and an improved selectivity to 46 percent (improved from 49% last year). By early May, we had received deposits from 570 students with no wait list activity, really tremendous results. The College is clearly doing a lot of things right, and the word is getting out about us, making us a less of a 'well kept secret.' It is noteworthy that 141 admitted students have applied for the Union Scholar program, and faculty have reported that this group is stronger than ever. Among the most innovative - and fun - initiatives in Admissions this year was ChatU, a lively internet chat room where some 250 prospectives 'talked' about everything from classes to laundry. A number of admitted students 'met' others who were not yet decided and grew even more 'Union champions.' Financial aid projections appear to be close, if not on, budget by year end.
Progress continues on the College's integrated marketing initiative. We are completing an analysis of more than a dozen focus groups with students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni that will help in the creation of a comprehensive marketing and communications plan. The initiative is designed to enhance the Union brand, enhance academic reputation nationally, and bring efficiencies and effectiveness to communications, recruiting and fundraising. The program, of course, will also improve the College's internal communications processes.
Facilities and environment
Renovations to Orange House, the former Sigma Phi, were completed in winter term and students moved into the last of the warm and vibrant Minervas. Even before their house was completed, Orange House members were busy hosting a number of events in College Park Hall and other venues. With their house, they are one of the busiest and visible of the Minervas. The softball field on Alexander Field was rebuilt and reconfigured with team shelters and a new scoreboard. The team wasted no time in living up to the spectacular new facility, posting an incredible 30-4 regular season record and going to the NCAA tournament.
Administration and finance
The College recently signed an emergency sheltering agreement with the American Red Cross for Memorial Fieldhouse to be used to shelter disaster victims. In fact, the building was used when heavy rains caused flooding of Schenectady's Stockade neighborhood. Forecasts for the current fiscal year show a favorable variance with slight surpluses in tuition, bookstore, dining services and residence halls. We are concerned, however, with rising costs in employee benefits, Achilles Center, and energy. Nonetheless, another great year financially for Union. The Human Resources department has finished a comprehensive salary equity study aimed at providing the most competitive compensation possible for all employees. HR is working with the vice presidents on a plan for implementation and funding.
College Relations and You Are Union campaign
At the end of March, the You are Union campaign totaled some $85.2 million toward its overall $200 million goal, and College Relations is on target for their annual cash goal of $15 million. To date, we have had regional campaign kickoffs in the Capital District and Washington, D.C., that surpassed attendance goals with 200 and 88 attendees, respectively. We also had alumni dinners in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, the latter at the lovely home of Jim '79 and Linda Lippman.
The Union Fund, though slightly down in dollars, is up by 264 alumni donors and on target for goals of 42 percent participation and $4.3 million. Among class fundraising activities, the Class of 1955 is naming a new Arts Building lobby, 1960 is naming the foyer of Abbe Hall, and the Class of 1975 - challenged by five trustees - has inspired new gifts and increased giving. The senior class of 2005 is on its way to breaking the 75 percent participation mark. They plan to name an outdoor classroom at Schaffer Library in memory of three classmates.
Trustee news
We said 'thank you and farewell' to three members who served the board with distinction: Karen Huggins '77 (1997 through 2005); Mark Walker, professor of history (2002 through 2005); and Erin Williams '05 (2003 through 2005).
This is a time of change for Union, filled with opportunity and challenge. We mourn the loss of Christie Sorum, and carry on the vision she had for Union's unique role as a liberal arts college. We pay tribute to Roger Hull for his strong leadership and for setting our future course. We thank Interim President Jim Underwood for extending his invaluable College service even further. And we join Frank Messa and the committee in the search for a new president who personifies all that we hope for Union. As the College community has done in so many times of change, we join together in our common conviction that there is no place like Union.
Steve Ciesinski '70
Chairman, Board of Trustees