Weber State College Comment, April 1988. Page 4 statement explained Mission Editor’s Note: The following are questions about the new mission statement asked by people from the Ogden area during a meeting to gather public input. Q: What mean? does ‘New Mission : _Weber § Stateares statement _ a student has received an education. The statement rightly suggests that we will be doing more than stamping papers and handing out degrees simply because they have completed a set amount of seat hours and achieved a minimum grade point average. learning opportunities appropriate +toa comprehen anes “comprehensive” Q: Why should the college be concerned with stimulating community economic development? A: Pres. Stephen D. Nadauld. We still anticipate having a wide range of programs, but not the full spectrum. N: ' Weber State, and the entire state | Q: How selective will you be? N: We will still have vocational and liberal arts, but we’ll not do everything of every kind. We’ll not have all kinds of education. Q: Why have you opened the possibility of admission requirements? o N: We came out of the last legislative - oi session with a statewide surplus of 3,200 students who have not been funded. Here iG stimu mula at Weber State we had an increase of 500 Fae ae of its improving public education. students last fall quarter, and we were only funded for 100 of them. We have serious dents for admissions is still being develquestions whether, given the shortage of oped, but what we’Il be looking at is if they funding, we'll be able to admit all the have basic English and math skills. students that apply. We’re also sccing more students apply for college who have Q: What does the statement mean not completed the foundation work they when it says, “Eligibility for degrees should have done in high school. The requires meeting established stanmethod of assessing those incoming stu- College looks at future have a vested interest in an improved economic environment in Utah. The college supplies well-trained workers for many industries, and Utah is attractive to many industries because of the large base of workers. We will continue to do our best to make sure our students have the best education possible to prepare them for those jobs. In addition, we see the college in a unique position to help create industries. A number of businesses have already grown out of Weber State’s technology, and others are in. the incubation stage right now. We see more of that happening in the future. out- Q: Howlong will this mission statement be ineffect? N: The notion of assessing outcomes suggests that a student’s seat time, or the number of credithours they complete, may not be the best measure of whether or not N: Given the gestation period and the labor pains involved, it will certainly be in place until I’m gone. This new statement gives us plenty on our plate to accomplish. dards of competence comes assessment.”? through role continued from pagel and faculty members in a one-day retreat during a campus holiday. The approximately 270 who attended discussed options, expressed concerns and gave input. “The basic task is to maintain a stable enough environment so faculty can work with creative and good effect, while at the same time opening the window for “The mission statement will give guidance tothe decisions we make.” change so the institution can stay up with the environment,” Dr. Robert B. Smith, WSC academic vice president, said. That environment is expected to change drastically in the next 10 years. According to information published by the State Board of Regents Weber State is projected to be the sccond fastest growing institution of higher education in the next decade. The college will experience a fall quarter headcount enrollment growth of 3,419 students by academic year 1996-97 to reach a total enrollment of 15,196. But while student numbers grow there is a diminishing amount of state and federal dollars available Leeann taxes. “Any reading, thinking individual knows we have reached our tax capacity. It’s time now to consider other alternatives, and as a result we need to take a pretty good look at what we think cur mission is,” Pres. Nadauld said. A successful statement describes what business the college is in, explains how the college is different from surrounding schools, and outlines what Weber State is trying to accomplish, Dr. Smith said. “The mission statement will give guidance to the decisions we make,” he said. Utah ranks among the highest in the nation in numbers of children per capita in the elementary, secondary and higher education categories. Yet at the same time Utah is the lowest in the nation in the numbers of 19-65 year olds, the group that constitutes the working class, a legislative tax analyst recently told a Weber State au- dience. , As Utah’s school-age children mature and enter the work force the state will begin to experience an increase in its tax base. Until that time, sometime in the early 1990’s, Utah will continue with austere state budgets and that will force changes at the college. “But what we want to do is make the changes as productive as possible,” Dr Smith said. the stein doaid be sent to the s WSC Alumni Office, Weber State College, Ogden, UT 84408-1011 before the May plications, which consist of a letter ig to be considered and the contribu- individuals feels they can make to deadline. The application should also include a brief resume, and note the 1 attended at WSC. ” Tony Justman and Jim Summers (Itor) participate in the National Debate Tournament held recently at Weber State. The tournament featured the best and brightest from around the country in competition for debate similar tothe NCAA basketbalitournameni for sports. Weber State placed three teams in the competition, something noschoolhad done in anyone’smemory. The Justman-Summers team lost to Harvard during final elimination rounds and Harvard lost to Dartmouth College, which won the tournament. “Hosting this conference at Weber State represents a major, major benefit to the college,” said WSC President Stephen D. Nadauld. Photocourtesy WSC Signpost Road race set A 5K “Twilight run” road race, sponsored by the WSC Young Alumni, is set for May 6 to be held in conjunction with Founder’s Day celebrations. The race starts at 6:30 p.m. on campus and ends at the Dee Events Center. Awards and prizes will be given in various age and ability categories, said Richard Davis of the Alumni Association. For more information write the alumni office at Weber State, or call (801) 6266564.