Thank you, Jim. Good afternoon, everyone.
It’s been an incredibly busy start to the semester, and I’m grateful for your leadership and engagement across the university.
Today, I have brief updates to share on several items:
- A review of merit-based scholarships,
- The work of the New York Loft Working Group,
- Faculty salary adjustments, and
- Progress on the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation.
I have asked a working group to develop recommendations on how we can strategically leverage our merit-based scholarship funds amid a challenging recruitment environment. This work will likely lead to broader conversations about how we steward all university scholarships to have the greatest impact on overall enrollment.
The working group includes Dean Melba Spooner, Dean Ashley Colquitt, Associate Dean Donna Lillian, Alison Rabil and Kristen Wright from Enrollment Management, and Jeff Cathey from Student Affairs. The group will hold several meetings this month, with a plan to begin talking through recommendations by the end of October.
I appreciate their thoughtful approach to this important work, and I expect these conversations to continue through the coming months as we refine our scholarship strategy.
The newly formed Working Group for the New York Loft includes representation from every college — including three Faculty Senators.
The group will hold its first meeting this week and will work through the semester, with the goal of reopening the Loft in the spring. They will review financials, pricing structures, and policies to ensure the Loft operates sustainably while maximizing its value for educational and recreational use.
Listening sessions — led by Adryona Nelson — are also being conducted throughout October with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members. The goal is to gather feedback from those who have used the Loft and from those who haven’t, to better understand opportunities for improvement.
Salary adjustments for faculty receiving promotions and tenure will be reflected in the October paychecks, retroactive to July 1. Faculty promoted to associate professor will receive $6,000 adjustments, and those promoted to full professor will receive $8,000.
In addition, work is underway on salary adjustments for faculty who receive post-tenure reviews of exceeding expectations — a process established by Chancellor Norris when she served as provost.
Finally, the Edwin Duncan Hall renovation project continues to make progress, despite a significant schedule setback caused by Hurricane Helene. The project is now more than 75% complete and is currently on track to finish in spring 2026, with move-in planned for the summer.
Ongoing work includes structural repairs, tile work, roofing, painting, HVAC, and the installation of drywall, ceilings, and lighting. Elevator, electrical, and concrete work also continue. The building’s main entrance has shifted to the northwest end of the building, near the Peacock Parking Lot.
Thank you for your time and partnership. I look forward to continued collaboration as we work together to achieve our academic mission and support the success of our students, faculty, and staff.
Chair Westerman, this concludes my remarks.