UNews - Vice-President Finance and Administration

Haiti situation elicits campus compassion

trevor.kenney — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:10:06 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Bill Cade chats about what's happening in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community

There are times when we all take aspects of our lives for granted, and we don't necessarily appreciate the fortunate circumstance we have of living in a prosperous country such as Canada. When we then see the devastation of a tragedy like the Haitian earthquake, it quickly brings into focus just how lucky we are.

Last week's gathering in the Atrium in support of the Haitian people was a scene we've replicated far too many times here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Whether it is in response to the shootings at Virginia Tech ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ or the terrible tsunami in Thailand, we've come together as a community to support our fellow humans.

The outpouring of support for our Haitian brothers and sisters has been heartwarming but hardly unexpected. We here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ have always shown a great measure of compassion, and I feel it comes from the global nature of our campus community.

We have a number of groups on campus that make such positive contributions to society, and it is especially evident during times of tragedy. From the International Students' Association who manned a donation table for the Red Cross, to the Rotaract Club and its campaign to collect money for shelter boxes, to Steve Ferzacca's health science students and their Partners in Health program that has a permanent presence in Haiti, our faculty, staff and students consistently give to those less fortunate and in need.

I look forward to celebrating that international spirit at the Feb. 10 International Dinner. Always a highlight of the spring, the International Dinner features wonderful cuisine from all corners of the globe. This year's guest speaker, Kim Phuc, promises to be especially poignant. Known as "The girl in the picture" Phuc is an advocate for children affected by war and terror. Her message of compassion and understanding is always relevant and should make for an excellent evening.

As we approach spring, the word 'transition' is being used often in the President's office. It's a process I feel very good about and one I expect will go very smoothly as we introduce
Dr. Mike Mahon to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and its partners.

This week both Mike and his wife Maureen are here in Lethbridge to take part in a number of events. Mike attended his first President's Executive meeting, accompanied Vice-President Finance and Administration Nancy Walker, Vice-President Advancement Chris Horbachewski, and me to Rotary Club, participated in the annual Donor Gala celebration and took part in a number of other social gatherings. Richard Westlund, our government relations director, also arranged a host of courtesy calls for Mike as he spoke with key representatives from the local, provincial and federal governments.

We're making sure Mike has the opportunity to meet people in a social, casual and informal basis as he becomes accustomed to the U of L in advance of July 1, when he assumes the Presidency. He'll officially be installed Oct. 15 and preside over his first convocation ceremony on Oct. 16.

Finally, I have heard through numerous channels that Michael Nolan is coming to town this spring. Nolan is someone who I knew many years ago, and I can't wait to see him once again.

Strategic Plan unveiled

trevor.kenney — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:53:31 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is charting a course for the next five years. The map — the 2009-2013 Strategic Plan.

After months of consultation, the final draft of the plan is complete and will be released to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community at a campus event, today. Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to drop by for a free BBQ beginning at 11:45 a.m. in the Atrium.

The co-chairs of the planning committee, Dr. Andy Hakin (Vice-President Academic and Provost) and Nancy Walker (Vice-President Finance and Administration), are excited to see the extensive creative process come to a head.

"We're somewhat relieved," says Hakin. "We've been through 18 months of planning and now we're ready to hit the road. We've worked hard to build a document that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community can get behind and support."

Walker describes the creation of the strategic plan as consultative. The committee looked to get everyone in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community involved in the drafting process, thereby creating strategic priorities that resonated throughout the U of L.

"Every individual in the institution should be able to see him or herself in the plan," she says. "Every employee, faculty and staff, as well as every student and alumni, we hope that they see something in there where they can contribute to the priorities of the institution."

The launch event celebrating the release of the plan is the perfect opportunity for the entire ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community to come together and begin that process.

"The entire campus community has been a big part in the development of the Strategic Plan and will be key to the ultimate success of the Plan," Vice-President, Advancement, Chris Horbachewski, says. "Inviting our entire campus community to this launch is a small gesture to celebrate the hard work that went into developing the Plan and more importantly it is an opportunity to challenge us all to find our role in the Plan and in achieving the vision outlined for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ."

To see the completed document, visit this Strategic Plan website. To offer feedback on the plan, click on this Strategic Plan Feedback link and submit your comments.

Strategic Plan Launch, today in Atrium

trevor.kenney — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:47:59 +0000

Strategic Plan will help shape the future

trevor.kenney — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:12:31 +0000

A new semester is upon us once again and after a rejuvenating Christmas break, I look forward to an exciting spring at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. Welcome to all new students and welcome back continuing students and all of the staff and faculty.

I will open this month's column by congratulating Andy Hakin (Vice-President Academic and Provost) and Nancy Walker (Vice-President Finance and Administration), co-chairs of the planning committee that created our 2009-2013 Strategic Plan. This project has long been in the works and under their guidance, a dynamic and comprehensive plan has been created.

The process we underwent to produce this strategic plan is extremely important. It was a lengthy process and it involved talking to a lot of people about the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ; finding out what people think about their ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. I think that kind of conversation is a good thing to have every five years. You find out what people are thinking, what's important to people and from there you are able to put those thoughts and goals into a readable format that has realistic objectives.

This document is a plan for the future. The Strategic Plan is essentially a job description for all of those who work at the university now and in the years ahead. Much of it is focused on creating a better, even more exciting environment for students — that's what we're about anyway — and an even better working environment for our employees.

We want people to be part of the plan and that goes back to the whole process of creating the plan. The process is intended to draw people into the planning effort, rather than coming out with a plan and saying here it is, find your place in it. I'm very happy with what the strategic planning committee has done. They have created a document that very much reads like a constitution. Administration will be helpful with the initial implementation of the plan, but the real implementation will take place in the grassroots of the faculty, the staff and the students.

As the spring semester begins, it's nice to see the 1st Choice Savings Centre gym back in full operational status. I commend the Sport and Recreation Services staff for their diligence in working around the closure of the South gym for the fall semester.

Another opening of note on campus is the new Disabilities Resource Centre. Now located in B760, the centre may have moved only down the hall but the change in location is significant. Students will be served much better by the centre's new space as it provides greatly improved access and will allow Christine Johnson and her talented staff to fully serve their clientele.

We've come to expect a lineup of outstanding guest lecturers here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the spring semester opens with a fascinating speaker in Cynthia Cooper. Renowned as the whistle blower on WorldCom, the world's greatest corporate fraud at the time, Cooper's Jan. 29 presentation is especially relevant in today's economic climate.

It promises to be an excellent spring semester and I encourage everyone to come out to the Atrium on Feb. 12 and celebrate the launch of our new Strategic Plan. It is your Univer-sity and this plan will help you shape the future

Strategic Plan is all about U

trevor.kenney — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:42:15 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is charting a course for the next five years. The map — the 2009-2013 Strategic Plan.

After months of consultation, the final draft of the plan is complete and will be released to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community at a campus event, Feb. 12. To that end the co-chairs of the planning committee, Dr. Andy Hakin (Vice-President Academic and Provost) and Nancy Walker (Vice-President Finance and Administration), are excited to see the extensive creative process come to a head.

"We're somewhat relieved," says Hakin. "We've been through 18 months of planning and now we're ready to hit the road. We've worked hard to build a document that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community can get behind and support."

Walker describes the creation of the strategic plan as consultative. The committee looked to get everyone in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community involved in the drafting process, thereby creating strategic priorities that resonated throughout the U of L.

"Every individual in the institution should be able to see him or herself in the plan," she says. "Every employee, faculty and staff, as well as every student and alumni, we hope that they see something in there where they can contribute to the priorities of the institution."

Strategic planning exercises often get a bad rap. While they are necessary to establish a shared focus on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's goals, plans often get shelved shortly after their release. This plan has been sculpted in a manner that belies that temptation.

"I think our job really is to make sure the plan is kept in front of people and doesn't get put in the drawer," Hakin says. "What we've created here is not a set of train tracks but a broad road that the community will set the directions for. We've put the framework in place but we expect the community to bring the ideas up and move us forward."

Walker explains that great care was taken to develop a plan that is not rigid and binding but instead adapts to changing circumstance as challenges and opportunities present over time.

"We see this as a flowing document," she says. "It isn't static by any means, we will continue to revise it and work on it. We've left it general enough so that when new opportunities and new ideas pop up, we can take advantage of that."

A total of 26 people from all walks of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ served on the committee that drove the development of the strategic plan. There were also a number of Town Halls where the broader ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ community was given the opportunity for input into the process. At the end of the day, that is what will keep the plan alive as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ looks to move forward as a unified institution.

"I think if people, in 2013, look back and say 'I was a part of that plan, I helped shape the direction of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, those were some of my ideas that were acted upon,' I'd be very pleased," says Hakin.

Walker echoes that sentiment, adding it's all about pride in what is the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge experience.

"To me, what I want to hear in 2013 is having students say they were proud to have attended the U of L. Having employees, who are dedicated to the U of L, say they're proud to be an employee of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge."

UNews - Vice-President Finance and Administration

Haiti situation elicits campus compassion

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