by CHARLES SHUMAKER
managing editor

Take a trip by the stadium and check the new message board to see how many days are left until the year 2000 because ready or not, here it comes. 

When the clock strikes 12 and the new millennium is here, Marshall plans to be ready. Although there will be many obvious changes, some are just a vision in the distance. 

From a construction standpoint, Marshall has been a hot spot in recent years. The John Deaver Drinko library will enter its first full year in use and the Jomie Jazz Center will open its doors this fall. 

Although construction is not the only thing happening at Marshall, it is the most obvious one. 

Dr. K. Edward Grose, senior vice president of operations, said, "Con-struction is a part of a long term plan to continue improving the campus with regards to education as well as environment." 

In addition to the current construction, Grose said there are a few projects in the planning stages. Last spring a new biomedical center was introduced and Grose said this project is now in the planning stages. 

"We have things in the planning stages right now, such as the biomedical center, the recreation facility and a visual arts center, but it should be a while," Grose said. 

Among the smaller projects that will continue into the fall semester are new sprinklers and air conditioning units for the Twin Towers residence halls. 

"Some of these projects will cause an inconvenience for students, but all of our goals are valid and we hope to have things like the plaza done by the time school starts," Grose said. 

For incoming students, there are many plans that will change the face of Marshall in many ways. A new entrance will welcome visitors and students to campus and a plaza should complete the landscape. 

Within the confines of the campus, many changes will also be taking place as Marshall thunders into the next century. Vision 2020, a report of the future of Marshall, will be in effect and its 24- member committee will continue what has already begun. 

According to the report, Marshall will take on a commitment to continued growth, diversity and service to campus and the state. 

Some of the things proposed for the future include a continued rise in enrollment, new academic programs and continued construction. 

Although a new president will be leading Marshall, Grose said he thinks President J. Wade Gilley’s plans are solid. Many of these plans are discussed in a report written prior to Gilley’s announcement to leave Marshall and become president of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. 

"Still Leaning Forward," a report to the faculty, lists the $75 million in new and remodeled facilities, as well as record enrollment of 16,009 students. 

Dr. Donnalee Cockrille, dean of student affairs, said, "Regardless of who the interim or permanent president is, students are going to have a voice." 

One of the goals with regard to the future of student life is to see that students still have an active voice in the progress of Marshall, much like the involvement that comes from faculty members, Cockrille said. 

There will be many new programs for students and most deal with the inclusion of the university in the students'’ lives. Cockrille said many of the changes are coming from a national level instead of a university level. 

"There is going to be more intervention in student life, for instance, the notification of parents when students have an alcohol infraction," Cockrille said. "We will no longer be bystanders, there will be a lot more involvement with student life." 

A program that will be new this fall will be directed at first-year students. Cockrille said the program asks that students become involved in a learning circle which will encourage community involvement and also pinpoint students who may be future leaders. 

"We really want to be able to familiarize students with Marshall and the community," Cockrille said. "Our focus will be to help them develop ethically, socially and personally through development of a personality of respect and trust." 
 
 

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