President's Message - January 9, 2008

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

To the OSU Campus:  
 
Welcome to the beginning of not only a brand new year, but the 2008 spring semester.  It is a time to welcome back our returning students and to extend a very special OSU welcome to a number of transfer students who are joining the OSU community this semester.  
 
Transfer students are a very important and growing segment of university communities across the country and OSU is no exception.  I encourage all members of our university community to model, for our new students, the environment of inclusiveness we espouse as a core value of OSU.  
 
We also welcome Dr. Stephan Wilson, Dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences, who began his administrative work on January 1.  Dr. Wilson brings to OSU a strong commitment to international education and outreach, and we look forward to the contributions he will make as we advance international education opportunities on campus.  
 
The number of our students studying abroad continues to increase and faculty members continue to plan and lead new study abroad experiences for our students.  International outreach is an important part of our mission and our heritage as a land-grant institution.  My appreciation goes to all who are active in and supportive of these initiatives.  
 
The spring semester certainly began with much improved weather from what we experienced prior to the holiday break.  Weather-related decisions are difficult to make, particularly those that involve key academic periods such as final examination week.  OSU has a very explicit process for monitoring weather conditions and for addressing weather-related safety conditions on the campus.
 
All members of the OSU community are indebted to our physical plant and facilities personnel for their extraordinary service in keeping OSU open during finals week.  The Faculty Council, at its December meeting, passed a resolution commending the efforts of these individuals and I join them in saying “Thank you for a job well done!”
 
The Oklahoma legislature will soon be in session and we look forward to working closely with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and our legislative leadership to enhance state support for higher education.  Your input regarding OSU priorities and your interest in and support of institutional budget planning and legislative initiatives is welcomed.  
 
I extend my most sincere wishes to each of you for a prosperous and successful year, and I look forward to our continued work together in the months ahead.  
 
Marlene Strathe