Kenny Discusses Five-Year Plan at Public Hearing
By Rachel Young President Shirley Strum Kenny addressed a group of about thirty members of the campus community Sept. 12 at a public hearing at the Charles B. Wang Center to discuss the latest draft of the university's next five-year plan. The plan, which began with recommendations submitted by six task forces, has 12 primary goals for 2007 through 2012, ranging from increasing the student body to 27,000 students and advancing health care programs and services. In the opening remarks, Kenny said this plan was more thoughtful than previous ones. "We're really looking towards where we need to go next," she said. "It's not too hard to see what needs fixing." During the hearing, which lasted just over an hour, Kenny, along with Emily Thomas, Director of Planning and Institutional Research, listened to feedback from students, professors, and other faculty. “Generally, you’ll see there is not a lot about how we’ll do things,” said Thomas, in reference to the lack of explicit actions in the five-year plan. One of the plan's goals is to increase the number of students over the next five years from 22,500 students in 2006 to 27,000 by 2012. There will be “one building that will house 172,” said Kenny about new housing construction on campus, and “another one that will hold 600.” The buildings are expected to be finished in Aug. of 2008 and Aug. of 2009, respectively. West Apartments I is being constructed on the south-west side of the complex, and the other will be located between Roosevelt and Kelly quads, near Circle Road. Selectivity will be a factor when accepting new students, Kenny said, adding that Stony Brook hopes to become the most selective school in the State University of New York system. Currently, she said, the university accepts 43 percent of applicants, as compared to 60 percent a few years ago. Peter M. Baigent, Vice President of Student Affairs, said admissions will not be as rolling as it has been in the past. "The bottom line is to get a group of students that match up with our expectations," he said. Kenneth B. Marcu, PhD., a professor in the departments of biochemistry and microbiology, asked Kenny if the plan will include more funding for research. "I hate having to push students away who want to do research with me," he said. Kenny said that details of federal funding will not be part of the plan. One woman inquired about the university's plans to advance health care programs, asking if Kenny had plans to open a pharmacy school. "Do you want to make a pitch?" Kenny laughed. "We're not really dealing with academic planning, but I think it's very important." Kenny said the final draft of the five-year plan would be made following the public hearing, adding that she couldn't guarantee every goal would be included. "The plan does not deal with changes, but with continuations," she said. |
