College Update 4-19-05

1. New Campus Property
You may have read in Sunday's Sentinel that the college is in the process of securing sites for two new campuses. This morning the Board of Trustees approved a contract for one site and a Letter of Intent for the other.

The Southwest Campus is under contract. It is 158 acres located just off County Road 545 at Schofield Road - near Orange County National Golf Course. It is a wonderful piece of land in a great location in Horizon West and accessible to the new Southwest toll road. The purchase, well below market rates, is to be funded by the legislature's capital budget. We are probably five years from beginning the first building there, but things sometimes move faster than expected in Florida...

The Southeast Campus is located in the Moss Park area east of Orlando International Airport adjacent to the world headquarters of Wycliffe Bible Translators. Ultimately, it will be a part of the new "technology corridor" in the southeast on a major boulevard extension of Alafaya Trail. This property is being secured by a carefully constructed land exchange, as we have discussed in the past couple of years. The West Campus property in the extreme southeast corner of the campus and the extreme northeast corner (altogether about 20-25 acres) will be traded for 120 acres in Moss Park. The land between Kirkman and Lake Pamela, the Lake itself and the woods around the lake are all to be carefully protected and aren't a part of this land exchange.

Both of these new campus locations will be vital to our mission and growth in years to come. The idea of a downtown health campus has been dropped and health programs will continue to grow and thrive on the West Campus.

Finally, the legislature is poised to approve funding for another 100,000 square foot building on West Campus this year - some five years ahead of schedule. Before designing or siting this building, we will complete a master plan for the campus to assure the preservation of the natural surroundings on West,.

2. CLO Transitions
In the weeks since Dr. Edwards' announcement that she will be taking up a presidency in Alberta, I have been consulting with faculty and staff on both the near term and longer term transition in the CLO role. After much reflection, we have arrived at a plan.

First, we will begin a search for Tracy's's's successor immediately, appointing a review committee, hiring a "headhunter," advertising, etc. with an aggressive schedule to secure a new leader on the job by October 1, if not earlier. As I was already considering prior to Tracy's news, I will retitle the position Executive Vice President and Chief Learning Officer to signify the reporting of the chief campus leaders to this VP. This is NOT a designation of "president designate" or a senior VP over the other VPs and their divisions. It only signifies the multi campus reporting responsibility.

Second, I have asked Louise Pitts to assume the role of Interim Vice President/CLO beginning June 1 and she has agreed to serve. She will not be a candidate for the permanent position, but will support the new Executive VP to the end of the year. Louise enjoys the confidence of nearly everyone with who she has worked as a selfless, thoughtful, effective leader and facilitator. Her experience these past tow years with the governing councils will serve us all well as she moves work forward and maintains the continuity of our efforts.

3. Legislature
We should have news on the budget within the next two weeks. I'll demure on any play by play or speculation until then.

4. Commencement is upon us!
See you in the Silver Spurs Arena for what looks like a very special event in the lives of our students and the life of the college.

Sandy

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