Kellie Galentine
Assistant LV Life Editor
President Devorah Lieberman highlighted points of pride for the University during the State of the University address Tuesday in the Campus Center ballroom.
Accomplishments in educational excellence, facilities and technology, and improved reputation and visibility were the areas she focused on. The room was packed with faculty and staff and very few students.
“I am the most excited that we have the 2020 vision keeping us focused on where we want to invest,” Lieberman said.
She mentioned the 88 percent retention rate between freshman and sophomore year, the grand opening of Campus West and the University’s feature in Liberal Education publication.
President Lieberman also went over the budget for the coming 2014-2015 school year, which is equal to $190 million. The largest budget in University will have an extra $13 million compared to last year and will be putting half toward salaries and benefits and 17 percent toward financial aid.
“My commitment is that student dollars go to better your education,” Lieberman said.
Lieberman explained that this $13 million would be 98 percent from tuition and fees and 2 percent from room and board. This year’s budget surplus was also mentioned.
“With the board we decided that with the surplus we will put a large portion into the endowment and we are putting a big chunk into academic initiatives and capital projects,” Lieberman said.
The endowment is at $56.5 million as of the beginning of this year and contributes to scholarships, ranking and prestige.
Lieberman explained that in order to maintain a small faculty-student ratio, there needs to be more full-time members and the University will be adding them on for the coming year. The budget has $6.5 million set aside for new faculty positions, higher general compensation, adjunct overload and increases for benefits under the Affordable Care Act.
“We started out by saying this is a remarkable university, and how will we stay healthy,” Lieberman said.
Lieberman went over the happenings in the California school system and how changes will affect the University’s enrollment rates and Cal Grant funding.
“Student enrollment is up in UC’s and CSU’s so we may be reduced in Cal Grants by 11 percent,” Lieberman said.
The campus climate and graduation rates were other topics mentioned. Lieberman said that our four-year graduation rate is not near where it needs to be.
“I think that what is best about campus climate is that people are here because they love the values and the mission of the University,” Lieberman said.
At the end of the PowerPoint presentation on the State of the University, Lieberman opened up the floor for questions. Faculty and staff asked very few questions although when asked about development and expansion of majors, the answer was from Jonathon Reed, interim provost.
“We are being very careful and thoughtful about new majors and are looking specifically into health, media and small business,” Reed said.
The State of the University takes place once a semester and is an opportunity for both positive accomplishments to be recognized as well as for challenges to be addressed.
“I believe the State of the University is a great opportunity for President Lieberman to reflect on work we’ve done,” Alisha Rosas, interim director of public relations, said. “It serves as a great springboard for the University community to use as they look to 2014-2015 and the future.”
Kellie Galentine can be reached at kellie.galentine@laverne.edu.
