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James W. Schmotter, President
President's Focus
Finances, Facilities and Planning for Western’s Future
Here’s an update on some important recent developments here at Western Connecticut State University.
Finances
Past resolution and financial discipline have enabled us to begin the 2012 fiscal year with confidence and optimism. Thanks to concerted efforts to operate within projected budgetary realities, we managed to balance the FY 11 budget and a third of the way through the current fiscal year, the FY 12 budget looks to be on track as well. Indeed, we are currently in the process of replacing 21 special one-year faculty positions with fulltime, tenure track appointments and filling long-vacant support roles.
The benefits of this fiscal responsibility extend to our students and their families as well. We can report with pride that our 2.5% increase in tuition for 2011-2012 is well below the average price for tuition and fees at the nation’s public four-year colleges, which overall saw an 8.3% increase this year in tuition.
The Danbury region also benefits financially from WCSU. Our recently completed 2011 Economic Impact Study notes that in FY 11 the university created 1,018 jobs, $123.7 million in output, and added $40.8 million in regional household income. Each dollar of state appropriations produces $2.91 in regional output--an excellent return on investment.
Facilities
This Fall we created more green, open space on the Midtown campus and are constructing a world-class facility for the university’s School of Visual and Performing Arts on Westside.
Gone is the elementary school, no longer in use, that sat in the middle of the university’s midtown campus. An expansive green now connects the Science Building to the rest of the campus. Our Master Plan calls for a quad to be developed and, long-term, another residence hall.
In October, Governor Dannel P. Malloy joined university and state officials in breaking ground for a new $97 million, 130,000 square foot School of Visual and Performing Arts Instruction Center, which will enhance our music, theater and fine arts programs. The new facility, expected to be complete in 2014, will house a 350-seat concert hall, a 350-seat theater, an art gallery, a recording studio and state-of-the-art rehearsal, classroom and studio art facilities.
To create greater efficiencies and improve delivery of service, all facilities functions will soon be centralized with the purchase and renovation of a building adjacent to Midtown campus. This will replace, with greater effectiveness, the space used at the Danbury Amory, which the university has returned to the City.
Planning for the Future
Two processes are currently underway to chart the future direction of Western: the second phase of our 2007 Strategic Plan and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) reaccreditation Self-Study report.
Both will evaluate the success the university has had over the past years in fulfilling its mission and in reaching its goals and will formulate new goals and aspirations for the upcoming years. Both will seek insight and wisdom from faculty, staff, students, alumni and the Danbury community. I look forward to hearing from our constituents and urge participation in our crafting together a future that will continue to deliver outstanding academic programs that will create Connecticut’s future knowledge workforce and enlightened citizenry.
James W. Schmotter
