00:02Okay. Good morning. I think we're gonna we're gonna get started I'm just seeing all the numbers, adding up below. In terms of the participants. So I'm excited that we have so many folks who were able to join me this morning.
00:17Welcome to the spring 2020 forum, a very different approach a different way of doing this a virtual environment.
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00:23So used to being with all of you in the ballroom, but I'm afraid this is how we'll have to do it. And I hope
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00:30we can still stay connected virtually not just today, but throughout this this challenging time. So really excited to share some updates with you. I want to really begin with
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00:42giving some information about some of the accomplishments and highlights of our, our campus and community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
00:53I want to switch to kind of where we are now, what are we doing with respect to planning and then sort of looking ahead to how we are thinking about the
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01:01Fall 21 academic year as well. And then ready to close with some thoughts about our new normal. What does the post COVID-19 world look like,
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01:11how should NKU respond and, we'll share be able to discuss a few of those items as we wrap up the spring forum. It's a hopefully just one hour. I'm going to try and keep it.
01:21And I've told folks to give me a nudge here and there. I've got a timer working on my right hand side.
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01:26as well. Before we begin, though I just a very quick thank you for so many folks who have done this work behind the scenes crazy in scope of it, who is managing all the stuff behind
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01:37our marketing folks have been busy at work late last night, as I've been giving them some notes to do
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01:44Right Gifford and Jeff Pugh? In particular, and of course the president's cabinet have been helping with shaping some of these conversations. And again, thank you, thank you for all of you for joining us this morning. Next slide please.
01:57So, you know, I, as I said, I have multiple times and it both in my email messages and my weekly video messages.
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02:06I just want to acknowledge how a challenging time this is for all of us. And I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to each and every one of you that has really stepped up in incredible ways to continue to serve our students, the university and this in this region.
02:24This is a profound challenge. It's something that we have not witnessed, certainly in our history.
02:31And to be able to really rise to the challenge demonstrate the resilience that all of you have done makes me just so proud to be a member of this of this community.
02:42And this region. So I want to share with you some of the accomplishments. We've had this this past year, in particular, focusing on what people have done during this crisis.
02:52So let me share a few stories, beginning with our faculty members helping our students. And these are just a few of the stories I know there are countless more
03:01That are going on behind the scenes and just want to point out a couple of them. Dr. Nicole Dillard who's a faculty member of the College of Arts and Science
03:11She's been working with a student for close to two years now, ever since she joined us as well. And then she realized as a result of the pandemic, there were
03:21There were some additional challenges the student faced and so what Dr. Bill, it has been doing is she's been FaceTime it with a student almost three or four times.
03:29A week to stay connected. Here's what the students said about about these interactions. She has worked with me. Essentially, for the past two years to get me to the point that I'm at now encouraging me to stay focused and get things done.
03:43My mother died two months ago on top of the covert pandemic, which further complicates everything
03:49Just to think about all the challenges our students are facing just makes me just, just so so overwhelmed.
03:56Adopted Dillard has been incredibly flexible and times that I needed someone just to listen. So it's not just the classroom piece. It's the other support that our faculty are doing on a daily basis.
04:07Here are two of our college of informatics faculty Sarah drabek and Tracy sanga so rabid found out that a student needed a laptop and a hotspot right after the start of the remote instruction.
04:17She had just returned from an international trip. And so she was self quarantine. And so the question was, how could she
04:23Get that laptop and hotspot in the hands of the students. Well, she played tag and she made Tracy Sanger who graciously accepted went to campus got the equipment and delivered to the student
04:34Again, these are just a handful of the stories that are fact leads are engaged in helping our students, but even our students are doing some remarkable work.
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04:43In order to keep in touch with her Kappa Delta sisters while maintaining social distancing Megan Greenwell created this journal, the Sisterhood of the Traveling journal
04:55Now the sisters are writing and coping during the crisis by expressing their thoughts and emotions and passing it along.
05:02Megan says this journal instills hope hope for the day until we all join together in person. Until then, we'll continue to share memories virtually and in the journal
05:12We also know our students are gathering for a virtual lunch via zoom. It's not quite the Student Union or the nurse commons. But again, I'm so glad that they are finding ways to connect with each other.
05:24Our staff are hard at work as well. Next slide please. You can see our career services folks have compiled a list of companies in our region that are currently hiring.
05:35We all know the difficult times that are being faced in the community as well.
05:39And so they're working to help alumni students and others who are facing economic uncertainty to connect them to some employee employers who are currently hiring.
05:49We also have our students support staff enrollment management as well as Student Affairs who held an open forum via zoom
05:56For parents and their family members again. This was an experiment, we didn't quite know how to connect with them. We knew the parents had some questions and doubts. So I really applaud the initiative of our staff that said, hey,
06:08Let's reach out and create a zoom call for our parents, not knowing how many of them would show up with a really good showing.
06:15I managed to join in myself a few minutes to reassure this the parents and their family that the Karen commitment that NK you is known for
06:23is continuing and will continue throughout this process. So again, just some really good stories about how we are showing our commitment to our students.
06:33The alumni to by the way i doing some pretty incredible work. Here's a story that was featured in The Enquirer, these are two of our nursing alarms Leanne Ernst and Shana borders.
06:45They are working in the COVID-19 unit at St. Elizabeth for Thomas hospital and they are really working to help frontline workers battle provides
06:54Again, the knowledge and the skills and equally important, the compassion that they honed at NK is playing great dividends in this community, especially at this challenging time
07:06Another one of our alums job Chris a three time Emmy you graduate and a clinical assistant professor in the radio logic science program.
07:16He and his husband are sewing masks and donating them to frontline workers in this region. That's a lot of work out there, but pretty pretty incredible. Joe, thank you for what you're doing.
07:28And then we've seen some other good news crop up as well. I wanted to highlight a couple of these as well. You might have seen some of these news.
07:36Thanks to the Federal cares act the corona aid relief and Economic Security Act NK you will receive nearly $8 million to support students and the university as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
07:50This is a really important resources that we can share half of this money will be devoted to support our students.
07:58I Vice President for Enrollment Management Kim's granted is working with her team leaders steward and others.
08:04To figure out the details of how to make this allocation possible for our students. We will have, as I said, nearly $4 million available.
08:12That will be able to distribute throughout this throughout this year, some of it in spring also in fall as well as the spring of 21
08:20We are actually waiting for the funds to be dispersed.
08:24To us at this time and we are also waiting for expect exact guidelines that will help exactly how we should do this. So, and as soon as we have more details will be sharing, sharing that transfer that that process in a very transparent way with our students.
08:38We also as I want a soda mind. Do we have the student emergency fund over $60,000 have been raised.
08:45334 applications and nearly 200 students have been awarded again we've got this going in, in real time, and really pleased with what's going on right now and helping our students.
08:55And then as well. We decided to jumpstart the Benevolent Fund, given the pandemic.
09:01Crisis as a way to assist our employees and their families as well. And we raised nearly $9,000 as a reminder, there's still opportunities to support each other our students and the community through these various mechanisms.
09:17By the way, the Cincinnati business Korea named as one of our hometown heroes, because we've made the BB AMP T arena available.
09:24To sailors with for overflow needs this will become a 200 bed hospital which should be ready by the end of this month early next month. And again, it'll be another way that NK you Phil Wilson fulfills his obligation to be an anchor institution and a steward of
09:42You can see so many of the good stories that have been shared because we are going above and beyond to continue to help the community and their needs as well.
09:51I think you all know that we made our campus buildings, the honors house as well as northern terrorists available to house first responders, that is already available right now.
10:00Our College of Health and Human Services. So needed all of the colleges, p, p, the personal protection equipment and ventilators two local hospitals and faculty and staff are doing this individually as well.
10:14Again, I just want to say I am so proud of the work that we are all doing together to serve our students to serve this region and to be stewards of place, especially at this challenging time that we find ourselves in.
10:29So let's turn our attention a little bit to where we are right now, especially with the COVID-19 planning.
10:39So as you know, we made some very early decisions with respect to COVID-19 back in, in the middle of March, right before spring break itself.
10:50We really have shown great resilience throughout this process.
10:53And in many cases, we were making these decisions in real time, whether it was to extend spring break. Move to virtual operations alternative instruction.
11:03Bringing back students from study abroad experiences as well as examining academic policies and, more importantly, enforcing and reinforcing social distancing policies and guidelines from public health officials was very critical in our early work.
11:20As you will see in the next slide.
11:23We, we basically brought together and as an established the COVID-19 preparedness team.
11:30Here are all these individuals actively engaged in helping with the preparedness of the campus and the planning purposes.
11:37A special shout out to each and every member of this team, and in particular provider. So at Rollins, who is leading this effort.
11:44This team is checking in every day non stop since the since the pandemic unfolded.
11:50And we have been really making sure that we are staying on top of the recommendations. There are many multiple groups within each of these every aspect of the campus has been represented
12:00And they bring forward ideas and recommendations that we need to follow. So again I want to thank the covert preparedness team for everything that they're doing and continuing to do as we continue to approach the next phase of our preparedness.
12:16I think all of you know we have a covert
12:20coronavirus covert information website. This is where we have tried to pull together as many of the resources as possible.
12:27For faculty and staff, but also for our students with regular updates and campus communications that are going on. So please, if you haven't had a chance, go and check them out. And if there are others who need this information, make sure that they have that available information as well.
12:44Next slide please. So when we made the move to switch to virtual operations, really, with only the most essential staff remaining on campus.
12:55To to support the operations with just a few students staying and University Housing. We had to adjust pretty rapidly.
13:03But because of the social distancing and maintaining these efforts, we have indeed help to flatten the curve.
13:10If you are like me and you're watching all the different news stations and those graphs and images and infographics. You are seeing the Kentucky is is becoming very successful and flattening the curve.
13:21We have our peak probably in the next few weeks. So there's still work ahead of us and it doesn't mean that just because we're past the peak that things will go back to normal and appoint I'll come back to in a few minutes.
13:31But at the same time we are doing our part in helping the region and our own campus community. Stay, stay safe, healthy and well
13:40But this is not letting our stuff from connecting with each other and doing some of these events in a virtual format. Here's a snapshot
13:48Of our marketing team kind of getting together. I guess there was zoom bombed by Victor in there in the corner as well.
13:54But we have found unique ways to celebrate events through the virtual environment, whether it was pride week or take back the night
14:02Or whether it's earthquake, which is this week, by the way, and tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of the celebration of Earth Day across the world.
14:10We're finding unique ways to do this celebration virtually next week. I hope you'll join in. In the virtual celebration of student research and creativity as well. So enter you is not letting this pandemic slow down our celebration of events and I'm really proud of that is
14:28Perhaps the hardest decision we had to make in this recent past was the decision to cancel commencement.
14:36This is some this is an event, of course, that all of us look forward to. And as I've said on a couple of occasions, I can only imagine the disappointment on the part of our students and their families.
14:47But we are in fact celebrating a virtual commencement, it will happen at 11am on May 9 which is commencement day and I hope you will join me
14:58In part of that celebration as well, it will be one hour long and we will find a new way to lift our spirits. Lift the spirits of our students celebrate our graduates and their families, as you will see, we will have nearly 1800 students who are going to be
15:16Graduating this made nearly 1300 of them undergraduates nearly 400 graduate students and 121 chase graduates, we will invite all of them back in December.
15:27So that they can join in our, our in person commencement as well so that we don't we don't lose that opportunity as well.
15:35But by the way, those 1300 undergraduates nearly 500 of them are graduating with honors. That's a GPA over 3.5 again our students have persevered.
15:46This is not how they envision the end of their college journey and the beginning of their NK your alumni journey.
15:52But still, this is just a remarkable part of resilience that they have shown and they have overcome such hardships and we should be very proud. So again, virtual commencement will be on May nine, and I look forward to finding a way to celebrate our students in that environment as well.
16:10Let's switch then to planning for the next academic year, and in particular the budget for FYI 21
16:20So let me start off with a little bit of context, we actually started this process back in the fall.
16:29We were saying this was going to be an important year because of the biennium. And so we had to in fact create a set of principles.
16:37Most of you have seen these we shared this with the campus back in the fall.
16:41And this was going to be our guiding principles and will remain the guiding principles as we look to both the near term and the future.
16:48Because success by design is a strategic framework and a way that we have to demonstrate our resources are tied to successfully implementing
16:56Our strategic framework. Our commitment the Student Success aligned with the region is unwavering so we began with this process, but let me switch to the next slide.
17:07Which shows you what we are doing right now. So here are some of the key issues. I want to make sure that you are all aware of
17:14First and foremost, we're building towards a goal of over $2 million in net position at a time of great uncertainty.
17:22And many unknowns building as much cash reserves as possible is, I believe, a wise and appropriate strategy. And so we're doing everything we could to contain those expenses.
17:34Including a hiring freeze and other ways in which we can either defer or delay. Some of those expenses to build the cash position that we need
17:43At this time, we're also processing refunds for housing dining and parking. Many of our students had to win back home during this, during this period.
17:53At this time we are anticipating that the total amount of refunds.
17:58Including covert reduce expenses will be somewhere in the tune of four to $5 million by the time we finished processing that so a significant amount resources.
18:06But it was only proven and appropriate that we provide those refunds for housing dining and parking for our students. And in case for parking fascinating stuff as well.
18:17But we're also adapting our food and retention strategies in a virtual environment. So we don't miss out on opportunities to be focused on the future as well.
18:27So a little bit more context on the budget development process, the state budget update. I think most of you know because of the covert uncertainty.
18:37The state General Assembly produced a one year budget, as was somewhat anticipated. There was no additional funding provided to higher education.
18:46We are grateful that there were no cuts made at this time. And so we're hoping that that continues throughout FYI 21 as well.
18:54With respect to the pension all decisions regarding the pension have been delayed by one year our contribution rates have been frozen at current levels through next June as well, although we'll have to make a decision about various options by January 120 21 and with respect to enrollment.
19:12Will share some of that more information in the next slide.
19:17So here is where we are with respect to our current registration activity. And you can see that we are currently tracking a little bit ahead.
19:26With respect to current registration compared to years ago. However, we are seeing a continued last an undergraduate degree seeking students
19:36Which is somewhat balanced by increases in the accelerated online and our non degree students, which are school based scholars in this at this case.
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19:45Now we do know that the COVID-19 pandemic is going to have an impact when are quite sure exactly what but I think our anticipation is that enrollments the clients are probably inevitable.
19:58For the next business cycle for the next academic cycle.
20:02Our registration folks are looking at the activities and patterns. They're researching and talking with peers and with students and parents to find out how we can continue to make an impact in this in this environment. The next slide please.
20:18Here is where we were with the original projection and the original projection. We were actually thinking and quite possibly be so given the trends of the last year or so that we would see about a 3.7 increase
20:30In our enrollment for next year, which is why we weren't going to be expecting our headcount to go from 15,600 students to run over 16,200 students
20:41However, because of the onset of COVID-19 we have reevaluated that and we expect there to be a decline of about 5.3% in our enrollment projection for next year.
20:55Next slide please. This will of course have an impact on the budget.
21:00Let me start off with sort of how we're thinking about fall. This by the way is the top of mine question for everybody.
21:08What is going to happen in the fall. What kind of operations. Can we expect to see. So right now, we're working on to sort of major types of scenarios we can anticipate Scenario A the campus will be open, but with some restrictions.
21:24Scenario be the campus remains in virtual operations, as you can see by the right hand side, it will be determined by conditions external to us.
21:35It will depend on the instructional operations. Our university operations everything happening both domestically and internationally as well as so many other factors as well.
21:45We are in the process of bringing together health officials community and business leaders legislative leaders and the governor's office.
21:53To help give us some guidance and provide some context so that we can make a much more informed decision as possible.
22:00We're hopeful that we'll be able to do that in the next couple of weeks and to get the insights that we can that we can really use to inform our decision making. I want to emphasize that this is not, let's go back to that slide for a second.
22:14I want to emphasize that this is not a decision that we can make independently.
22:20SKU is a public anchor institution we have so many comings and going on. There are so many different aspects, it's not like a regular business operation. They can simply switch on and off.
22:31Or even make adjustments, because we only impact a few people. We have multiple individuals impacted our students, our faculty, staff, our community members. And so we have to be very deliberate in our process itself. Next slide please.
22:48We can then let's start. We can then start talking about the budget planning assumptions, as I mentioned, we have few scenarios and be
22:55But it became clear to me that with so much uncertainty for our students and the financial hardship that they and their families are facing I have made the recommendation to the board.
23:09In the which will be coming up in the main meeting to freeze undergraduate tuition for the next academic year, regardless of the scenario that we find ourselves in.
23:19I feel and the the cabinet was instrumental in helping me which this. This is a decision that this is the best interest of our students and our region.
23:30In addition, we're going to keep talking flat as well. I know that some of you will be quite happy to hear that as well.
23:38But I think the idea to freeze undergraduate tuition was by no means an easy one. But it seemed as as the best recommendation I could make to the board. Now keep in mind, the board has to act.
23:48decisively in the main mode meeting and I hope they will, of course, support that that recommendation. So let me give you a sense of how we are examining and thinking about our budget.
23:59You can see there, we have two. The two scenarios scenario is the campuses open with some restrictions. I don't know but assumptions are probably that we will see some
24:09Undergraduate and Graduate enrollments down about five and 6% we're still hopeful that AOL enrollments will be after about 10%
24:18Our state appropriations will remain flat. I have an asterix right there because, again, we may have to be prepared for a video cut
24:27As state revenue expectations may fall short, probably more than likely to fall short, we should be prepared that we might have to have a media cut as well.
24:38We are making investments in the NFL programs and the Steely Library and some of the compliance initiatives.
24:43And we have already identified $6 million of relocations from divisions and colleges colleges. But despite all of that.
24:52We are still expecting to see a deficit of about $2 million under Scenario A so I will be thinking about covering the deficit.
25:01I mentioned earlier about the emphasis on creating that $2 million cash reserves from this year's operations itself.
25:09We hope, then we'll be able to use those to cover the deficit. In addition, for now, I'm really pleased to report that members of the President's Council and I
25:20Will be taking non recurring salary reductions from three to 10% for all those individuals earning over $100,000
25:29I'm really grateful and deeply appreciative of the leadership and the sacrifice that we will make and that will all have to end up making as we navigate this challenge, especially under very trying circumstances. Next slide please.
25:46In scenario be which, as you can tell it's significantly more uncertain and more challenging to deal with this is the scenario in which the campus remains and virtual continuity of operations.
25:58And then it within that context we feel that our enrollment assumptions will be even more severe overall undergraduate enrollment could possibly be down 12 to 13%
26:10At all enrollments we hope will continue to stay up about 10% and some of the others will stay the same as one
26:17state appropriations will hopefully remained flat again, with the caveat that we might be prepared or we should be prepared for immediate
26:25However, our auxiliary revenues could be down significantly. Because of virtual operations. So we have to be mindful of that as well.
26:34We will continue to make those investments that we have promised with Al programs, the library and compliance initiatives and while we have identified $6 million of relocations in this very difficult scenario, the projected deficit is approximately $10 million
26:52That's a significant number and I'm well aware of that. So what are some of the considerations we have to consider. Number one, of course, everything that we are doing and scenario, a
27:03Plus, I'm afraid that every other action needs to be on the table, whether it's fellows are reexamining programs or services.
27:13I wish I could safely say that we wouldn't have to consider any of these options, but that would really be irresponsible of me to do so.
27:20And so I will urge our faculty and staff, our campus community think carefully about all the options as we navigate this very difficult situation.
27:29We want to really minimize any reductions and force and preserve the great talent we have at NK you but we have to be mindful of the challenges again.
27:39Again, this is a very uncertain situation, and I wish I could have all the answers, but we're going to go thoughtfully and deliberately the through this to make sure that we really pay attention to our core mission and our people as we think about this. Next slide please.
27:58We have tried to provide a budget planning timeline. This is still very tentative, but at least it gives you a sense of how we are thinking about when some decisions will have to be made.
28:09I know the idea would be to make them sooner than later to really get ahead with the planning, first and foremost on May 13 we will be submitting the FYI 21 budget to the board for approval.
28:21Somewhere in the range of may 31 to June 15 we hope to have our fall scenario determined. Is it a is it be, or is it some sort of combination in that in that realm.
28:33And again, I wish we could do this sooner and we hope we might be able to do it sooner because I realize it's not just a switch, you can put on and off.
28:41Our faculty need time to rethink what's going to be happening in the fall, with respect to we made a very quick adjustment during spring.
28:48But that would not be the way to operate going forward as well. So our faculty and staff need the time to do the planning.
28:55As well as all the other operations at the university that we have to do as well. So I'm mindful of that, and we hope will be able to do that in due course.
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29:04Again on or before June 30 we will finalize any other budget adjustments that need to be made inclusive of personnel actions.
29:14At this point, that's my hope and my expectation. Again, the sooner the better. Because we will have hopefully a better idea of how things are playing out in that in the meantime.
29:25Again, at this point, through the rest of this fiscal year know Adam mandated at personal actions are going to be required.
29:34As we continue to contemplate this over the next several weeks and months, I would urge you to look at these scenarios to provide some feedback.
29:43Are they are they the right things. Are we missing something. Our collective wisdom is even more powerful and I will certainly count on that.
29:50And then let's focus on the things that we can control and that we are already doing such a incredible job of staying connected with our students and with each other and making sure that we build those cash reserves that will help us weather the storm of next of next year.
30:08Next slide please.
30:11So I'd like to then make a pivot to thinking about our post COVID-19 words and the new normal.
30:21We're all wondering what will this new normal look like and how should NK you respond. So if you recall when I sent out the message about the spring forum.
30:31I submitted and ask you for questions to get your initial thoughts and feedback. And here were the four questions that we shared with the campus community.
30:41Number one, what did we learned about ourselves and our students from the past six weeks.
30:47I've asked you, what would be the impact of COVID-19 and state colleges and universities like in K you and what will our new normal look like
30:54How does that change our approach to success by design. Where do we need to accelerate change to deliver on our vision to be student ready and regionally engage
31:03And I asked you what your top of mind questions. We're now we did here, of course, most of those had to do with fall and how we would be proceeding.
31:12But let me share some of the very thoughtful responses I got from faculty and staff about these questions. And let's take a moment to reflect on these as well. Again, we did get a really good set of responses. And this is just a sampling of the many good responses we got
31:28What have we learned about ourselves, our students are resilient. They're still engaging creating and doing and learning. And I think that just calling that out was such a powerful statement as well.
31:42We're not afraid to tackle new challenges we have and we will move mountains to work with our students really powerful words as well.
31:51One of you shared I'm much more capable than I have given myself credit for. Isn't that the truth when you are faced with these kinds of prices, it really calls upon your inner workings to ask yourself.
32:04Where am I, where can I push my limits to and I'm really proud of. Everything is going on. This is also sharing our students are flexible.
32:13With that but but but you also shared that you are very concerned for their well being and for the well being of patients. There'll be caring for in the future.
32:22And again, this just talks about the compassionate core that we have at our next question to
32:30What will be the impact on NK you and what will our new normal look like. And here's some of the things that you shared with me.
32:38It will and must be different from the past, a willingness to change some restructuring is needed, but also you're sharing, but we are all coming together as a student first collegiate community.
32:52And we're talking about virtual delivery of classes and maybe a virtually work environment. We don't know that may be the norm.
32:59And in fact, the observation that geography is no longer a hindrance to accomplishing and delivering our products and services. So again, some very thoughtful comments that all of you have provided
33:10And I really appreciate you taking the time in the midst of all this to share some of your thoughts and please continue to do so because they really are helpful in thinking through some of these very challenging issues.
33:23Question three. How does this accelerate our approach to success by design. And again, so very thoughtful comments that you shared
33:34Our focus on a high quality learning experience. Focus on the doing living out success by design, putting students first student readiness all that rings true
33:46Our student success design was aligned. For this, we should be tying faculty and staff performance metrics.
33:52To this extremely proud of how NK you've students how NK you faculty and staff have worked hard this past month to come together for students again resonating the voices that I've heard over and over again.
34:05So again I want to thank all of you for sharing your thoughtful comments reinforcing the things that we know about each other.
34:13So let me think about this pivot.
34:17To this new normal.
34:20I think there's little doubt that the new normal will be drastically different and will alter higher education in profound ways, some of which we had even no idea about
34:32This pandemic has offered us some opportunities to re examine our norms and to look at ways in which we want to elevate our work to position us for success in this crisis.
34:44A recent Chronicle article said we should consider our unique mission. Our positioning our financials and our culture in determining our own path forward.
34:54I was recently in a webinar. There are so many of those, it seems like now that pointed to the fact that we have been in a book of world.
35:03Volatile uncertain complex and ambiguous and Bob Johansen who's a futurist was part of that was was leading that webinar and he talked about the fact that if there was one takeaway.
35:18That in fact the next several years we will be in fact an even more vocal world if there is such a thing, but he offered us some perspective.
35:28He said that organizations that have vision understanding clarity and agility will actually thrive in a book cover and so that got me thinking a little bit about about how we should be thinking about the way forward as well.
35:46Next slide please.
35:48So let's think about vision.
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35:50That's our vision. NKU will be nationally recognized for being a student ready recently engaged university that empowers diverse learners on economic and social mobility.
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36:03Is our vision still relevant in a post COVID-19 world
36:08I say, absolutely yes. And here's why.
36:12The pandemic exposed some major fissures in our society and the global economy.
36:17Income inequality disparities in health care, the impact and vulnerable populations and susceptible supply chains, just to name a few.
36:27On top of that, trying to make sense of medical and scientific information within a political historical and economic context was overwhelming contradictory and confusing to so many individuals.
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36:42We must remember that NKU is a steward of place, and therefore our teaching or learning our scholarship or economic engagement mission is even more critical.
36:53In preparing our graduates and the region to navigate this interconnected VOCA world that we find ourselves in, but I think most importantly
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37:04Empowering diverse learners for economic and social mobility and helping to restart and reset this region with an equity lens, I believe, is even more of a new competitor in a post COVID-19 world
37:21Next, life is
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37:23Understanding this goes back to the questions we asked ourselves, What did we learn about ourselves at NKU, about our students, about our core mission our region. Our business operations where must we accelerate change across the institution, based on what we have learned
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37:42I think what I can say unequivocally is a post COVID world will demand greater efficiency and effectiveness, which allows us to invest in innovation and keep an NKU education affordable. This will continue to be an important aspect going forward in a postcard nine
38:01Next slide please.
38:03Clarity.
38:06What the Buddha was shows us is that we must be clear about our objectives but flexible in how we attain them. I think this was one of the powerful takeaways that I really that struck with me after that, after that presentation.
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38:21Clarity is what will be our best friend here, but certainly can be a problem in a post COVID world.
38:30Bob Johansen made this point. That said, we will be rewarded by having clarity, but we can be punished if we are to certain about certain things and I felt that was good advice for us to think about
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38:43Having said that, a post COVID world will demand even more that we improve retention rates graduation rates and our double digit achievement gaps across race ethnicity and income.
38:56That part I think should be clear to all of us as we look to focusing on success by design in that goes over as well.
39:05And finally, agility.
39:09Now one of the things that we always pride ourselves with is how nimble and agile, we are as an institution.
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39:16And I looked up some of this information as opposed as one of the things we're looking at the post COVID world.
39:23What are the characteristics of agile organizations they adapt quickly to changing environments they sense and seize opportunities they are entrepreneurial and they're not afraid to try new things, rapid experimentation before they scale up
39:39They are always looking to ways to continuously learn and improve and, most importantly, they are embodied by a empower teams that collaborate and partner breaking down silos along the way.
39:53And I think in NK you is very much that type of organization. And so for us, the agility piece is a competitive advantage.
40:02The question we have to really focus on even more. So going forward, how do we activate box one and Box three innovations.
40:10Why quickly identifying and divesting in some of those box two activities. The three bucks solution is still relevant for us and going forward.
40:20We will have to think very carefully about some of these things and act quickly to this changing environment, seizing opportunities that may be lost. And I think this is where n qu has some true strength going forward as well.
40:36Next slide please. So
40:39To provide a little bit more specificity in terms of going forward.
40:44What I'd like to suggest is that we have some summer. Summer Campus Conversations really around this notion of our vision of our understanding of clarity and, of course, have a vision of agility.
40:58And we think about these in a collective way around a series of Campus Conversations. I want to invite all of you.
41:06To join in those conversations. I know that summer is a challenging time and more. So perhaps this time.
41:11But if we can spare some time let's engage in those conversations as thought leaders and our collective wisdom to bring forward some greater clarity with respect to our path forward.
41:21And I'd like to suggest that we focus on three themes and the following questions. Next slide please. The first theme is around teaching, learning scholarship and economic engagement.
41:36How can we redefine the value of place based education with an even stronger emphasis on experiential and CO curricular dining. I know we're doing a great deal of this already.
41:46But I think it calls to some of that questions because that's what people are are talking about what is the role of a place based education.
41:54Can everything be delivered virtually, and I think we have to make a very clear statement about our value proposition on that front.
42:01I think some of you may know this, but the Honors College is doing some is exploring some of these ideas already
42:07I've just learned that we're offering an interdisciplinary course on the Ohio River in the fall.
42:12And additionally, we're looking at courses in the spring that will connect the history, economics, management of sport with the reds and opening day
42:22And there's another class in development still early focused on CB G as a laboratory for exploring global networks.
42:30What wonderful examples of ways in which we tie the region to our learning
42:36And how could we scale this so that so many of our students have an opportunity to learn not only from each other and from us, but also from the region and its particular
42:47Issues that that are that are being dealt with, again, some great examples, and I'm sure there's going to be many more as we think about scaling up some of these opportunities.
42:57What is the optimal mix of online hybrid and face to face education that we must offer the diverse learners. Everyone is different. Everyone has different expectations.
43:06Of the individual that's making the collegiate journey for the first time, as opposed to the adult that wants to come back for some sort of upscaling
43:14How can we imagine our financial our virtual and physical infrastructure to create career enhancing credentials for lifelong learning for the region.
43:24To me, I think this is going to be an untapped source that we have to explore greatly. There are upscaling academies all over the country now and this region desperately need something
43:35And it's really very important for us to focus on. Now, how can we help the region and it's restart and reset efforts.
43:42Especially in the areas of health technology and logistics. We have already identified these as the call regional imperatives from an industry standpoint.
43:53And those are very relevant. The future of health, the future of technology and the future of logistics is completely upended now and will continue to be challenged
44:03I think we play a very important role in that economic engagement as well. And so these are just a few questions within this team that I'd like to propose the next team.
44:14Is i'd like to switch is to student engagement and support services. Again, how can we ramp up investment in integrated student support services to close equity gaps.
44:26By that I mean doing even more of the high tech and high touch kinds of services that we have been able to learn from these past few weeks.
44:37Again, these are the kinds of things that our students will need and we have an imperative to close those equity gaps as well.
44:44Also, how should we partner and collaborate across the institution. And frankly, with the community to scale efforts to address the support for health and well being, for our students, especially mental health.
44:56This is one area that I know we have always been mindful of, but one that I think needs even greater emphasis going forward.
45:05And the third theme that I'd like to make sure we focus on is on the academic administered of operations piece.
45:12Again, challenging ourselves, how do we restructure transactional activities that perhaps can be automated to drive greater efficiency and effectiveness.
45:21What are additional possibilities to lower administrative costs to cross functional collaboration and public private partnerships. These are not new questions but ones that deserve.
45:32Greater attention and urgency in the move forward, as I've said this is just a blueprint for those Campus Conversations for us to consider.
45:42I would like to challenge our entire leadership team to engage in those conversations with you, both within and across the units. And if you have additional thoughts and questions, I welcome your active engagement, so that we can really navigate and thrive in this postcard was
45:58Next slide please.
46:01I've read this quote with you. I think before one of my campus messages George may have shared this with me recently, and actually, as part of an A guest lecturer in ed ed class that he was at. But I think it really does summarize kind of where we're thinking
46:15In times that are unimaginable can reimagine and do the unimaginable.
46:22Well, if you asked me, I would say, hell yeah.
46:26Next slide please.
46:29As I said, Please send your thoughts and questions. There are two emails you can send them to President at n k u.edu so I will get a chance to look at them as well.
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46:37Or you can send them to success by design at nku.edu all of these thoughts and ideas are welcome, and I look forward to hearing more from you as well.
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46:49Let me sort of wrap up the forum with a story of one of our senior award winners Justin Haubner he is this year's Excelsior Award winner.
47:01And will be highlighted in the virtual commencement in a few weeks. Justin served our student veteran population as a work study student in the university is Veteran Resource station as a retro himself. He understands the unique obstacles that are veterans students face on a daily basis.
47:19Justin was serving in Afghanistan, where he was wounded and he subsequently was awarded a Purple Heart for his wounds received in combat.
47:27After separating from the arm sources armed forces. He came became involved with the local veterans for Foreign Affairs and the American Legion chapters is a lifetime member of the Disabled American veterans and the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
47:43We're really proud that Justin is one of our students and one of our senior award winners and his story give so much inspiration to all of us on a daily basis.
47:54He's just but one of many of our students with such compelling stories and it drives home the point about why we exist. Why the work we do is relevant and notable in his life significance.
48:08Not now, what forever in the future as well. Justin. Thank you for your service to your country, and we hope that you've enjoyed
48:17And been challenged with your journey, then K you and we look forward to bigger and better things from you as you continue your journey as an anchor your alarm. We're proud of you.
48:27Let me conclude then our spring forum very different spring forum, don't get a chance to see all of you and engage with you on a on a regular basis. But I want to end with a note of thank you
48:40Thank you to our students who persevered through this challenging time continued your journeys. I hope I seriously hope that many of you who are processing on your degree do join us back in the fall.
48:53And I want to thank the faculty for your adaptability. The way that you pivoted so quickly during spring break to switch to the alternative instruction.
49:02Your continued focus on serving students as inspiration for all of us and to our staff, whose dedication every day is tremendous.
49:12Especially through these virtual operations and especially for those who have had to come on campus to make things moving forward as well without you we wouldn't be able to serve this institution, the way we are currently and the way we will continue to do that.
49:26But also to our community and alarms and all those in the region who have lend a supporting hand who have turned out and said, hey, is there something I can do.
49:35It has been free tremendous to watch and I feel really fortunate that this region, both values and Q and is here to assist us in multiple ways. In the weeks ahead. We have some tough challenges, but we will persevere and we will get this thing together.
49:52I know because I'm surrounded by some incredible people. And I feel fortunate and blessed to be part of this team.
49:58I wish you a very safe rest of the semester be well be safe. Please continue to practice social distancing take care of yourselves and each other.
50:09I know it's harder when we can't associate and be with our family and friends near and far but Descartes. We're all in this together.
50:17And we will emerge stronger than before. And for that I thank you and look forward to continuing to stay connected with you virtually or otherwise. Have a great rest of the week and a great rest of the semester. Thank you.
