STRATEGIC VISION

Strategic Vision Home
Planning Process
Planning Stages
University Creed
Mission
Vision
Areas
   - Intellectual Capital
   - Community & Service
   - Economic Development
   - Discovery & Innovation
Strategic Themes

Strategic Initiatives Update
 Review Community Ideas
Resources
News and Media
 




 Strategic Plan

strategic vision themes

IMPROVEMENT

 

Idea
A task-force should consider the pros and cons of MU becoming a more selective university. With Concord et al becoming universities, we need to create a unique niche.More limited admission might improve student-faculty ratios and boost faculty morale.
Mandatory advisement for all students has increased retention and graduation rates at many institutions.  This is a practice that should be considered, particularly as we utilize the new degree audit system (CAPP) for academic advisement.
Strengthen student advising and early intervention programs as a part of MU's retention efforts.
University College should have responsibility for ALL undecided students.  This adds consistency to the advisement process across colleges, gives greater control over academic probation plans, allows intrusive advising,and will result in greater retention
The University needs a university-wide advisement center to advise all undecided students, to assist in advisement activities across campus, and to coordinate such areas as Veteran's Advisement and Freshmen Advisement.
A simple first assignment, “Make a video of yourself five years in the future -- use the present tense, all five senses, and describe your passion for the career of your choice” has changed my students’ lives and helped them discover previously untapped potential. Students who had been shackled by fearful stress, discouragement, and unhealthy competition report improved confidence by another assignment to write articles for publication, for a larger audience than just one professor reading alone in a small office.
Creation of a new teaching-learning enviroment for low performing middle school youth, testing newly reserched methods and best practices for the purpose of significantly altering the educational success of students with poor prognosis for high achievemet
The entire idea of education is discovery & innovation.We need to foster creativity EVERYWHERE & invest more in arts which impacts across all disciplines.MU needs an arts vision &  plan as it has the potential to deepen student's knowledge in all fields.
Achieve and maintain excellence in a culture of critical thinking and learning through interdisciplinary programs of superior quality and value. This will be achieved by providing the appropriate institutional support, pedagogical changes, strengthen transferability, hiring for success, reviewing best practices of successful institutions, strengthening the common core/liberal education and reward behaviors that progress this change in culture. The Provost and Deans should have greater authority in the flexibility and control of the teaching loads.
I have done 13 College Fairs for Marshall in the last few years.  One of our clear strengths is our guaranteed, non-competitive scholarships.  Every valedictorian at every high school in WV and Ohio should get a letter from Marshall with the details. 
Greater efforts must be placed in attracting students from out of area/state.  The economic impact of this is would be huge for the huntington area.  Not to mention when we bring students here they need to stay here, put the suitcases away.
The reason why our planet is going to h**l in a handbasket is that the general populace is not EDUCATED as to what our environmental problems really are.  You need to educate all students about the environment--population, sustainable development. etc.
We need to institute, as soon as possible, an honor code at Marshall for all members of the Marshall community; this will enhance students' educational experience, and help ensure that we are all committed to the highest standards of excellence.
To be relevant in the 21st Century, Marshall University must produce value that is evident to our students and the communities we serve. That value must be manifest in the development of intellectual capital, as evidenced by the intellectual work that can be performed by Marshall graduates – their creativity, their adaptability, their capacity to continue to learn, their ability to think futuristically, and their marketability in an economy increasingly driven by innovation.
We need to do more in our college to improve student writing skills.  Given that work in this area drastically improves critical thinking, how can we continue to view writing-intense coursework as a professorial burden?
As you're probably aware, the trend in higher education these days is to move toward focusing on learning outcomes rather than curricular inputs.  I think we too should begin moving in that direction.
Have the capstone requirement mean something. Get Seniors in Business,Criminal Justice,Finance to do unpaid internships with the City of Huntington to collect unpaid city B & O taxes. Have Parks/Recreation work with local parks. Many opportunities exist.
I think what we really need here at Marshall are the things that truly make a university work: more classroom and educational facilities, more permanent faculty members, more office space for departments, more funding for basic faculty research and travel, and more attention given to the basic missions of the institution in teaching, research and service. Even if no new programs, degrees options or educational innovations result, I think the best legacy any president could leave an institution is the knowledge that he has secured those things which the institution as already doing and left the school with a better sense of morale, and an improved feeling of well-being than it had before.
It may not be "PC," but there are definitely weak links in the chain when we send graduates into the world who cannot write a coherent sentence (much less tackle anything lengthy), cannot adequately express themselves, and - yet - think "I'm educated."
MU's biggest responsibility to the community is to graduate capable, educated, thinking adults.  Secondly, continue to interact with other institutions in the area to use MU's human and material resources to their fullest.
Marshall should put its emphasis is QUALITY undergraduate education: as WVU admits more and more undergrads and becomes like every other "big state U" Marshall could provide a much needed alternative. 
Support much higher fraction of SCORES participants (they are this state's brightest students) send message that MU is not for remedial classes by testing, then sending remedial students back to high school at MU tuition. Lift entrance requirements
What might have a great need for now, say 2007, may not be available in 2011.  We are entrusted with preparing students today for tomorrow.  We must prepare them for the future and give them the vision of the future.  That is our responsibility and the students’ quest to be prepared for it.  Also, we need to go to a trimester or quarter system and eliminate summer school.  This will be more cost effective over the long term.  It will also enhance student’s educational experience by offering more classes.  Our society moves at a faster pace today.  This will prepare students for this.Marshall is a great institution to work at and for parents to send their children.  I believe Marshall can and will become a greater institution.  It is time to “ask not what Marshall can do for you, but what can you do to enhance Marshall for today and tomorrow.”  We, the older generation, must pass the torch of leadership, education, and our nation’s future to the students of today and students yet to come.  This is a daunting task.  But I believe we can accomplish these needed educational facilities.  
Establish an MU "business directory" listing MU alumni, their business and their business address. Sell it to alumni to support MU, use it as source for fundraising contacts, encourage cross referrals for business development. 
I feel that we need a new computer data base that enables all MU fund raising groups to share alumni contact information and coordinate efforts.  This would include Big Green, MU Alumni Assoc., Student groups (frat. & Soroities) the MU foundation.
The institution needs to expand the assessment program beyond that of teaching and learning into a wider assessment of institutional effectiveness in all office and service areas.
Develop and enhance advanced methods of data collection in support of teaching (assessment and evaluation) and research – e.g., assessing technologies used in the classroom, finding ways to influence change, where applicable. 
Provide enterprise solution (i.e.TracDat) for automated institutional planning and assessment as well as a solution for individual learners to digitally maintain their learning achievements and accomplishments. TracDat automates the academic planning and assessment process by providing a structured framework for continuous quality improvement. 
We could argue the point all day about expenditures for athletics and the success it does or doesn't breed. Our baseball program is a prime example how athletic expenditures do not matter. Look at how successful baseball has been. No need for a stadium.
The basketball program would be turned around overnight.
We need to set a long term goal in atheltics, so as to help our academics, and vice/versa. A better conference=better resources for our school. We need to put a focused effort into getting into the Big East conference. More exposure=student growth.
Sports matters and should be supported - competing on the national level is the best advertisement the University can get, and gets our name out to a broader range of good students. 
The hyperbole about athletic expenditures and the future of MU belie the facts. The NCAA produced a series of studies, the most current in 2005 (http://www.ncaa.org/library/research/athletic_spending/2005/empirical                                 _effects_of_collegiate_athletics_update.pdf). These studies affirm that no significant correlation exists between athletic program expenditures in football or men’s basketball and the win-lost records of these teams (“Hypothesis #5”). The data don't support the hypothesis that increasing operating expenditures on sports will produce a measurable affect on either the academic quality of incoming students (Hypothesis #8). The NCAA indicates that this assertion is simply not credible. Advocates for the indiscriminant ramping up of athletic expenditures, facilities, etc. as a strategy for improving MU are well-advised to check the facts. 
Nationally recognized and successful bball and Fall program will incrase awareness of MU.  Attracting a national coach with a winning reputation will allow Marshall to continue to move up in its conference membership and would increase revenue tremendously.
7.Sporting Event Prices- MU students should be afforded a discounted rate to all games to encourage bringing their children.  It is shameful that MU complains about low attendance at the games, but expects people to pay full price for their children.
The athletic programs are an important part of MU but they alone are not the solution to a better future. The solutions for manifesting a better future lie in rebalancing priorities. Future strategic priorities need to emphasize investments to improve the competitiveness of MU’s academic programs, facilities, and resources to produce greater student success and higher level outcomes. These priorities also need to reflect an increased commitment to developing new entrepreneurial ventures, which expand regional economic development and new higher paying job creation.
Hooray for athletics.  Let's don't diminish it.  BUT let's work harder at bringing priorities -- AND perceptions, images, attitudes, etc. -- into balance.  Balance.  Balance.
First, foremost, now, forever, MU is in the business of education.  Education.
A nationally recognized and successful basketball and football programs will increase awareness of Marshall University.  Nationally prominent coaches will allow Marshall to continue to move up in its conference memberships and increase revenue for the university.

 
In recent years MU has gained national recognition through the visibility of football.  While one can debate D-1 football, the fact remains that major sports bring major recognition.  Men's basketball and football must be strengthend for the good of MU.
The BOG should be empowered even further to assure that future of our university is in the hands of some of the brightest and best thinkers/visionaries/business people in the Marshall "family."  The BOG is a key piece of most decisions, and rightfully so.
Need get the Board of Governors more involved in pushing needed activities into gear.  The BOG may want to evaluate administration to see if certain individuals are not pulling their weight and make necessary decisions on their status with MU
Change the membership of the BOG and the Foundation Board to include members who really care about improving Marshall. These Boards are comprised of too many who believe they are entitled and who do little "actual work". It is time for them to go!!!
Composting of campus food and yard waste would be beneficial.
“Almost Heaven” is an idea for a Mountain-Top Removal/ Mountain-Like Recreational Facility for, by, and with people in wheelchairs. Mountain mine shafts can grow mushrooms for export, Trash Treasures can recycle garbage into Living Room Art. With unleashed ingenuity, the Mountain State can see the future inside, under, and through, like nowhere else for people who used to be called Handicapped, who could be seen as Handy-Capped or even Hand E-KOPPed. 
Marshall's recycling program pales in comparison to that of its closest peer institution, Ohio University.
Provide Recycling service to campus and community. Currently, recycling is inactive on campus and area citizens must pay to recycle. Recycling program would promote image and provide funds to support efforts. Could be service opportunity for students.
Campus tours need to start at a point closer to the main area of campus, such as the Student Center.  There needs to be some type of tram, like in amusement park parking lots, to take visitors around campus in cold or rainy weather.
Work cith city to clean up area around campus. Deteriorating bldgs. Those old houses used to be the most beautiful in town. Owners have allowed students to destroy them. Owners need to charge higher damage deposits. City needs to create and enforce codes.
How can we get additional high level of community involvement in the decision making process in such critical areas as course delivery, range of services, and events for the arts, expansion of services, etc? 1. Lay Academy (see submitted idea).
A lay academy whereby members of the community may 'teach' subjects related to hobbies or specialied interests: life in ancient Greece, theology of..., crafts not necesarily realted to their professional career prior to retirement. Cf. program in Wilm, De
1. forums for community input will likely not generate realistic initiatives. 2.corridor between MU campus and Huntington downtown could be developed as a campus culture corridor. 3.MU should focus on developing community programs that enhance the quality of life, stimulate the economy, and generate learning experiences for students. What can MU do to help Huntington become a "top 100" small city?
Develop a closer relationship with the School of Medicine’s Health Sciences Library for more efficient sharing of resources and service to patrons
Develop other consortia relationships on state, regional, and national levels in order to improve and increase access to scholarly materials (including learning objects), wherever they reside.
Obtain and implement OhioLINK membership, opening up access to major scientific/technical/engineering/medical journal literature.
I think that a campus wide smoking ban would be a great improvement to Marshall university. Every time I enter a building or even walk down the side walk I have to hold my breath for all the smoke. Designated smoking areas may be a consideration
Establish a relationship with Fine Arts and Chruchs.  Students could sing in the choir, play music, dance, establish contemoray services for youth, get to see what MU has to offer. Some churches might be able to pay others may not. teaching classes also. 
COHP should collaborate with other colleges/departments to elevate the level of health care in the tri-state.  For example, offer professional development for external partners and community forums on topics in areas of faculty expertise.
Improve the lot of student employment by formalizing a student classification system that is more competency/skills based.  Could involve more internship relationships with administrative offices.
Every academic program should consider offering an internship or cooperative education program. This is essential for a student's transition from college to the workforce, is beneficial to the institution, and builds an additional source for fund raising.
 6. Faculty helping students think critically and evaluate the skills they had obtained from the Internship experience.   7. Faculty need to be exposed to the real business world so they can make sure they know what the students can expect from the business world. 8. Formal contracts with larger corporations across the nation for Internships. 9. We need to know where are students have been successful in obtaining careers. We need to network our existing alumni to better mentor our current students. A portal where students can go and find possible alumni they can create a relationship and have collaborative possibilities.
Develop formal agreements with major industry and corporate America to provide a large number of internship and post graduate opportunities for Marshall graduates in various fields of discpline with minority student indicators vs career fairs only.
MU should work with local government and business to establish a Huntington-Charleston intercity transportation system on 64 which would fulfill a need for transporting students and faculty between our two campuses and spur economic growth for the region.
promote,promote,promote the Pullman Square Shuttle.  This is an extremely valuable asset not only for the obvious economic value but for Marshall related events like ball games, music concert events at the stadium),etc.
MU could help Huntington small businesses the most by offering all who want to open a business a free business plan, designed and developed by qualified Marshall personnel. More small businesses fail for lack of a good business plan than for anything else
The MSC Recreation Area closes at 9 pm on weekdays and stays closed during weekends. Enough said.
I would like to see Marshall University Research Corporation 'fixed.'  There was an external review performed last year, but there are still major problems.
Why there is nothing that needs changed around here.  Everything is just peachy.  No one is mad or anything.
Devise and suggest an alternative to existing HR classification system… Broad-Banding… 360 degree evaluations…competency based employment.
More than anything else, Marshall administrators, BOG, and HEPC need to jetison its "group-think" assumption that higher ed must be run like a profit-making business. This half-baked idea distorts every aspect of academia. It's poor thinking -- period.
there needs to be more co-operation between the So. Chas. campus and the Hunt. campus
Consider contracting for packaged pricing for job opening advertisements. This could be used by all University departments with publications such as The Chronicle and could save the University thousands of dollars on a yearly basis. 
Open up new avenues for cooperation and communication between faculty, staff and administration.  The levels of distrust between these groups are corrosive to the mission of the university.  There should be much more openness between these groups.
As the university becomes more complex there is an increased need for faculty & staff training on various software/skills to help with efficiency. There should be ongoing training on customer serv. & dealing w/difficult situations & similar.
Develop courses/seminars through MCTC or MU to assist staff in their professional growth.
All supervisors need training in employee management. Some Directors are micro-managers. No decisions but his. This creates problems. Intimidation and observation do not promote professionalism. Good employees have transferred. Morale is low.
We should vigorously pursue opportunities to create consortia for the provision of administrative services such as HR, purchasing, etc.  These can increase the level of service to the institution and decrease the cost of providing these functions.
Develop flexible and innovative policies and procedures. Current systems thwart new ideas. Challenge to work within hiring system. Promote a more problem solving attitude of a "we're working together" instead of "us versus them".
Put in place an IT Project Portfolio Management system that will allow the tracking of projects and resources to make sure that projects are prioritized for optimal resource allocation. This is an example of accountability tracking and underlying resource tracking and costing.  Provides assessment basis. This should also be expanded to other areas on campus to make sure the precious resource of Human Capital is properly utilized.
11.Manpower- MU needs to streamline its personnel.  Everyday there are men w/ leaf blowers everywhere.  They have lawnmowers that are capable of catching, bagging, and mulching leaves.  This would require significantly less manpower. 
Make available to ALL faculty the existing Banner extraction reports now only available to a few--the BERT group of reports. The ability to use these reports on a daily basis would have an immeasurable positive impact on how we do our jobs.
How do we create a campus infrastructure which supports and encourages faculty and staff involvement in engagement?  1. Empower and create an atmosphere that encourages engagement. Time is a critical need. 2. Lobbing the legislature from a grass roots effort from a community base to make sure Marshall is getting the appropriate resources. More money for faculty. 3. Faculty needs to be encouraged to be more creative to go beyond the classroom and into the community for service. Create the need. For example do a PR campaign for Big Brothers and Big Sisters. 
Develop training programs which can assist the staff with monitoring a high level of performance in jobs which are becoming more demanding and complex. Potential certification of staff might be considered in areas such as: Mgnt., IT, Banner, Budget, etc.
Adopt a 70-20-10 rule for professional staff resource allocation.  Seventy percent of each unit’s human resource should be spent on existing production and systems, twenty percent should be spent on new and innovative improvements to existing systems or processes, and ten percent should be spent on professional development in an area not necessarily related to the individual or unit’s function but a research area that interests the staff member. 
Marshall University would be most improved by improving it's "front line" people.  These are the people that the public first talks to when they contact the university in many departments such as financial aid, human resources, the registrar, admissions
Update how development is handled on campus. Each college should have a development person to help make connections and promote the college. Deans, Chairs, and others should spend time doing development activities and creating grateful givers.
We need internal feedback (other than yearly evaluations from supervisors and students) that allows us to fill the knowledge gaps in our programs.
Provide routine IT training programs for faculty, staff and students on computer software capabilities. Tremendous inefficiencies exist due to lack of optimal use of IT resources. Current inadequate option is to pay for training from operating budget.
Make sure that the money you request of students is put to good use. I have seen ten or more janitorial personal on the grounds just standing in a large group while one does work. Also make sure professors are teaching not just reading out of the book.
There is an emergent need for faculty/staff/students to develop skills that help them effectively interact with those different from themselves. Performance evaluation should include diversity education/training as required for professional development.
Marshall University supervisors should receive periodic supervisory training. All staff should receive training in quality, customer services, communication, and teambuilding.
The "front line" employees are so important as the first impressions of MU. It begins with the Admissions, Financial Aid, Bursar, Registrar, student housing and ends with the Alumni. There is only ONE first impression of a higher ed institution for your child. Recruiting National Merit students and high achieving students to campus is not that difficult. It begins with communication, personal contact, extreme interest and a genuine concern. Quality students attract other quality students and become quality alumni. This should be the primary focus. Most all other goals will fall into place; research, donations, interest, intellect, growth, and community involvement. The university is up-grading the facilities of Old Main-wonderful. The front line offices must create a good first impression for visiting and prospective students. The first letter, call, the vision of the campus and hopefully the lasting impression.  Reward the front line workers; there may never be a second chance to obtain that quality family to MU. Success breeds more and continued success. Consider removing the metro tuition rate. Draw a circle around the tri-state area and make it local; in-state. Quantity and quality students are at your back door.  Show the tri-state community how to be the area leader in education; every day in every way- beginning in 2006.
We need to pay faculty/staff more to recruit better employees to better serve students.STUDENTS are the voice of campus. They are the reason the University is here and they are NEVER listented to.While it's nice to have donors, STUDENTS KEEP US IN BUSINESS
The university needs to commit to a faculty and staff of the highest academic and professional stature and achievement. We need to review our curriculum, hiring of faculty, the kinds of faculty and delivery in a non-traditional ways and design our facilities to meet these needs.
actually paying the staff what they are worth is a start towards an academic university. I know a doctor who won't leave his current teaching job for marshall, it would require a pay cut for him to move to Marshall from a public High School.  That's Sad!
As one of the largest employers in the area, Marshall needs to ensure the highest pay possible for its staff and encourage quality hiring and retention.  Anything less promotes mediocrity.
The development of a scholarship for the children and dependents of Marshall employees will increase enrollment, increase the morale of the faculty and staff, and build greater loyalty to the institution.
Peer Equity should be addressed at ALL LEVELS: 1. Teaching load 2.Sabbatical leave (time, frequency, funding) 3.Tuition waivers for children and spouses of full-time MU faculty and Staff. 
Support and propose the development of a “comprehensive faculty center” that would provide a focal point for most faculty teaching, learning and research support activities.
If there is any hope of Marshall becoming a "nationally prominent" university, there needs to be more than just lip service about supporting faculty research. A first step would be to implement the (already approved) flexible workload. 
Retirement age faculty/chairs should retire immediately. Hire new faculty to teach and do research instead of paying $85K to senior faculty to teach 100 level classes. Review all faculty positions and classify them as teaching, research, or a combination of both generating release time for research. 
Provide additional faculty in health professions. Currently, COHP faculty cannot offer elective or service courses due to high demand for required courses. Consequently, student growth and faculty satisfaction are both diminished.
I am a student and I believe that the most important step that Marshall University needs to take involves the hiring of more and better faculty and the retention of current faculty.  We have built the facilities.  Now, we need to focus on the faculty.
We  have many transient part-time profs in the COEHS.  Could a non-tenure track, full-time instructor class of employee help make academic standards more consistent without being prohibitively expensive?
The ongoing process of faculty development is designed to keep the faculty at their best in their teaching, scholarship and to be active in a learning community.  Too often, faculty are taught to teach better, given scholastic opportunities but not given a nurturing learning community in which to thrive. By building a process in which the learning community is sensitive yet responsive to faculty, we can foster the scholarship of teaching.  I propose that we recognize and promote "Marshall's TOP" Team", or the Team of Outstanding Professors.   The creation of this teaching environment will embrace teachers who are committed to excel in teaching and recognize their efforts, and ultimately enabling faculty to meet their individual teaching goals.  Self fulfillment of their teaching goals will make a difference in the academic environment of not only their department but the entire school.  The TOPS program can be built upon the concept of the Academy of Medical Educators used by the School of Medicine."TOP" will provide a platform to pursue excellence in teaching and helping students maximize their learning; thus ultimately impacting their success and fulfilling Marshall's mission of "Passport to Prominence".  I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss the proposal in detail.
Priority must be given to faculty recruitment, retention, and development if quality learning is a goal.
Hire more full-time professors. There's nothing worse than sitting in a class taught by a crabby part-time faculty member who wants the full-time job with the university.
The bottom line is Marshall has to hire more teachers.Take for example the Elem. Education program-One teacher,teaches one class that EVERY elem education major must take and they only teach two sections during a semester.Programs need teachers to grow.
In order to attract and retain qualified faculty, we have to take faculty needs and concerns seriously. More than salary, it takes research support and infrastructure updates. I am highly skeptical of Marshall's future ability to recruit qualified faculty
We need some sort of post-tenure review to discourage the lassitude that so often accompanies the announcement of a professor's tenure.
Revisit tenure processes and the means by which to dismiss tenured professors to ensure only the highest quality faculty.
Support academic freedom, in which creativity, enthusiasm and productivity thrive. Some faculty will enthusiastically choose entrepreneurial activities. Bring in endowed professors as part of the faculty. Reward excellent research and teaching: more productive for the state than athletics. 
I believe that competitive faculty salaries must continue to be a high priority.  I may have returned to Marshall had I not had to take a 10% pay cut to do so.  Faculty at WIAC schools shouldn't have to take pay cuts to come to Conference USA schools.
Of course, you are aware of this area -- faculty salaries. I served on many search committees while at MU as a professor. I know in the journalism area that MU salaries make it difficult to attract quality professors.
Improve faculty salaries and overhaul retirement and medical benefits. It will help with retaining and hiring excellent faculty members.
Increase faculty salaries
there should be a plan to improve the competitiveness of our sports teams in C-USA. also there should be a plan to improve the facilities 
New Art Building- growing art department has a floor and half a garage.  Art building is designed and promised for 5 years.  Actively seek funding please.  I am a grad of the program and want a better experience for those who come after me. 
A new baseball stadium in town to advance our program to CUSA levels.  An indoor practice facility and also a rec center for students, facility, and athletes.  You could also open this up to alumni.  Thanks.
Sports is vital for income for any university.  There needs to be A LOT of attention placed on the baseball program.  The coaches discourage players. They deceive the players & family supporters with marathon games that don't exist. MU needs a new field.
We must support the concept that athletic success helps foster the success of the university. Investments must be made to revenue generating athletic programs to keep them competitive with our CUSA rivals. Indoor Practice facility, baseball stadium, etc.
One way to improve Marshall's academic environment is to expand the resources for the Honors Program. The Program has outgrown its current space and an Honors House would address this and be a great recruiting tool. Also, increased funding for seminars.
Expand both undergraduate & graduate offerings in Teays Valley and Charleston. Build a suitable facility in Teays Valley.
Don't keep giving away resources, people, funding to other institutions just because "we don't do that".  Its ridiculous to talk about being top tier yet continue the short-sightedness that has marked our history.  Instead, try "We CAN do that".
Problem 1:  Marshall needs more money to expand. Solution 1:  Increase number of students enrolled. Problem 2:  How does MU increase the enrollment? Solution 2:  MU must be the best choice academically, athletically, and socially.   Tough, but possible!
Marshall needs to be independent of the legislature in dealing with her budget.  The red tape that is causing the University to lose money on such things as early registration discounts due to delays and rules imposed by the legislature.
Eliminate the disincentive for academic departments to develop/financially support/continue their own clinical new clinical faculty positions by waiving the fees charged by MURC to administrate these positions.
Consider outsourcing services that are more cost effective or efficient to outsource than provide internally.  No reasons to reinvent the wheel.   Buy rather than build where possible.
Join the Kentucky/Ohio tuition reciprocity agreement. This will help breakdown financial barriers and show a commitment to the region. It has the potential to increase the college participation rate of the entire tri-state 
MU should develop its infrastructure internally before creating community service institutes or programs for specific purposes.
Brand ourselves, really establish who we are.  We are Marshall but are we a liberal arts,professional technical college. find our niche ,market it. We have let some our potential department go , ot change with the times SLP for ex.;should be in Medical
To increase the out-of-state recruitment market, additional resources will be needed to support the development of quality publications and additional travel.
Develop an effective enrollment management/marketing plan that will increase substantially overall student retention and graduation rates. Expand non-resident student recruitment in targeted areas like Washington, DC with a goal of increasing overall net tuition/fee revenues by $3 million annually by 2008. Increase the number of transfer students with the goal of increasing net tuition/fee revenues annually by $1 million by 2008.
MU needs to develop a recruitment and marketing plan which has specific goals and develops strategies to achieve these goals.  Specific performance measurements should be adopted in order to see if goals are being accomplished.
Both on campus and off campus event should be better publized.  It seems like I only hear about events after they happen.
Advertising- MU should try a technique that has been working well in airports around the world. rent out advertising space above the urinals and on the back of bathroom stall doors, or even inside the elevators on a per semester basis.
Recommend a greater focus on creating an institutional identity.  Consider targeting Appalachian scholarship as an area of emphasis and support....Encourage and support enhanced levels of faculty and student scholarship in a few selected areas of study.
Provide more support for the marching band. This can be even more of a great PR tool for MU. The band is on the right track...don't let it slip. 
Develop a comprehensive communications and marketing plan that enables Marshall University to present a consistent and effective message to its various stakeholders
WE NEED BETTER PUBLIC RELATIONS!  Consider hiring some students from our fine program or have them work on this as a class project for graduation, but push our university name/image as the best in the state and region.  WVU/OSU and others aren't better.
From my point of view, Marshall is looked upon by many i know as a bad school as far as alcohol goes. If it could be possible to restrict or ban underage drinking, that would make the public image much better.
Every university in the Appalachian region should have programs dedicated to preserving the land, culture and history of Appalachia.
We need a Center for Appalachian Studies that would include history, ecology and economics. The Appalachians are some of the oldest mountains in the world and seem to lack our intellectual curiosity.Students need a better sense of history and science.
We should develop more "inverted degrees"  matching Associate of Applied Science with a 4-year program.  This strategy has been very successful at Southern Illinois U. @ Carbondale, Evergreen, Univ. of Wisconsin, Univ. of Montana, Wayne State, & Whitworth
The Marshall University School of Architectural Design...focused on environmental architecture which minimizes damage to the earth and environment via energy efficient design and use of recyclable material.  A 'Green Architecture' school. 
I disagree with a law school for MU.  Why compete with WVU?  Instead offer something WVU doesn't.  I don't think anyone in the state offers "Design."  Or Architecture.  This would attract and keep creative people in the state.
Marshall needs a new Major that will have an impact in todays job marker. Either a 4 year engineering shcool or an Architectural school.
Onsite wellness center to attract future students. They need an alternative for fun, other than going out to the bars
Build an arts incubator. Let graduates and students lease studio space and run a shop to sell art.  Have students run a recording studio for music.  Have students learn to submit writing for publication.  Arts lead to economic development.
Our access to internal and local external resources would allow us to offer a master's degree in Autism. One day, we could become the first university in the nation to offer a doctorate in Autism. 
MU should explore the possibilities of developing a Bio-Engineering School which includes Bio-medical maintenance repair, and bio-mechanical development for orthotic and prosthetic advancement.  I would also include a gait lab with the facility.
15 Month educational program certificate program for biology bachelor degree individuals.  This program would eliminate the final semester of our current curriculum.  It would involve another accreditation fee.
Categorical Masters degree program.  (To be offered for Biology bachelor degree graduates.  Students at this level sometimes want a Master’s degree.  Would help with shortage in the field.)
Accounting: Programs of study oriented toward achieving separate AACSB Accounting Accreditation and developing a masters degree in accounting.
Strong support please for the new LCOB Doctor of Management Practice in Nurse Anesthesia degree which is in its final proposal stages.
LCOB, MU is in the process of developing a Doctorate in Management Practice in Nurse Anesthesia.  This program will no doubt provide national prominence to the institution as well as contribute in the community and economic development for WV. 
The Grad. School of Mgmt., LCOB has initiated the process of developing the Doctorate in Management Practice in Nurse Anesthesia. The implementation of this program will give us a niche in a market which is developing and provide MU national prominence.
Establish the management doctorate with the Nurse Anesthetist program at CAMC.  This has been proposed by the LCOB and the CAMC.  It is an outstanding idea and would be the only such program in the nation. If we don't WVU will.
 The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has issued a statement advocating practice doctorate requirements for advanced practice nurses, which includes nurse anesthetists.In West Virginia and the immediate tri-state area, there are very few options for nurses interested in doctoral education.  None of these programs are clinical practice doctorates.  The availability of the DMPNA degree at Marshall would fill this need for a locally based doctoral program and thus enhance the quality of health care in the region.
Now is the time for Marshall to launch the Doctor of Management Practice degree for nurse anesthetists (DMPNA).  Marshall University has strongly established its role as an innovator in our regional health care community through its' association with CAMC School of Nurse Anesthesia.  This one-of-a-kind, entry level nurse anesthesia program offers registered nurses the unique opportunity to develop their capabilities as business leaders along with their transition to advanced practice nursing. Many established nurse anesthetists believe that business acumen is a vital component of aiming toward professional perfection. The DMPNA degree is a natural progression to the next level in this pursuit.
Doctoral education for nurses has been advocated by the Institute of Medicine's Crossing the Quality Chasm as part of a strategy to get the best prepared clinical nursing leadership.  Clinical practice doctorates, such as the DMPNA, are especially suited for this role. 
The DMPNA is a step into the future, providing a needed end degree to enrich WV and the region.  Health Care Professionals will be offered an option never before available.   Management-minded Nurse Anesthetists! The  light at the end of the tunnel.
Sir,  Please favorably consider the proposed new DMPNA program. This doctoral program would place MU not only on the cutting edge of educational innovation but also at the forefront of a needs based educational philosophy coupled with financial success.
The proposed DMPNA is a one of a kind innovative and visionary program that will bring national prominence to Marshall University and ensure safe, competent anesthesia providers to the citizens of WV well into the future.
The establishment of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Marshall University would be very much consistent with the Marshall University's Strategic Vision Process.  It would be directly related to all four pillars of strategic vision process.
Entrepreneurship: Programs of study focused on starting new businesses. Examples:  family business management, marketing research, capital development, business plan writing.
Every year the University of Maryland sponsors a Technology Startup Boot Camp.  Encourage faculty  interested in business to learn about starting companies.  NCIIA will sponsor such programs.
Further engage the university in the development of entrepreneurship programs and support efforts on behalf of the region and state.  
Operate business incubators on university-owned sites adjacent to or very nearby the Huntington and South Charleston campuses.
International Business: Programs of study focused on global markets.   Example:  multinational marketing, international trade and finance, international legal environments.
Business Plan competition for Marshall University and the state.  This leads to WV students actively participating in business development in a variety of fields.  Social Entrepreneurship would also be excellent area to feature.
Professionalism: Programs of study designed to graduate students with oral and written communication, business etiquette, networking, and best practices skills.
Establish a stand alone program in public administration at the master’s level. An MPA program would create another flow of professionals to state agencies. We now have a cooperative program with WVU on the South Charleston Campus.
Public Administration: Programs of study focused on local, state, and federal government management.  Examples:  public finance, program management, economic development.
Sales: Programs of study focused on sales management.   Examples:  service sales, health care sales, business to business.
Marshall needs to climb the ladder in academic classification. We need to become a "Doctoral/ Research University". We need to increase our enrollment (undergraduate) and add graduate/ doctoral programs. This will help academics and athletics.                                                             

 
Complete the Simulated Lab. (We need a general Chemistry Analyzer).  This simulated laboratory could be used to analyze samples for research projects from the Medical School as well as anyone doing animal research on the main campus.  This would bring in funds for the department.  (Administrative staff would also be required for billing purposes.)
Develop a 15 month educational program in clinical lab for individuals with a BS in Biological Sciences.  This would allow the graduate of this certificate program to take the certification examination at the bachelor level.  
Develop a categorical Masters degree program in the Clin Lab Sci dept.  To be offered to Biology graduates.  The graduate would have specialized knowledge of clin lab testing in one area.   Would help alleviate the shortage of personnel in the clin lab. 
It will be important as we focus on increasing the number of transfer students that attention is paid to the articulation of courses and the development of 2 + 2 programs by each academic unit.
Expand 2 + 2 programs with the state Community Colleges to cover a greater variety of disciplines such as Sociology and Psychology.
Heavy minors/conc. in computer science could enhance many programs' graduates' attractiveness to employers and give them an edge in getting jobs. These programs would teach the discipline's computer applications and other specific skills(i.e.scripting)
MU or MCTC should start an academic program/emphasis in construction management.
Marshall has had an M.A. in Counseling for many years. Students have always had to leave the state to gain a PhD degree, as there is no PhD degree in counseling or counselor education in the state. We have the faculty expertise and desire to do this. 
The Criminal Justice Department has put forward a proposal for a Ph.D. program in Criminal Justice.  Given the demand for higher education in the field and the relatively small number of doctoral programs, this would benefit MU and the area.
Becoming competitive in the academic arena, we need to foster and develop high quality doctoral programs. We can not compete with WVU.To do this is to change the organizational culture. Most faculty on campus act like they work for a community college. 
The University should build on the doctoral programs already offered in S.Chas. by adding additional degrees which fill carefully determined needs.  Such might likely be counseling, special education, instructional technology, and assessment/evaluation.
We need to focus on becoming a doctorial institution. Whatever needs to be done to do that is what must happen for us to get to the level of WVU in this state. Also, we need to fight the state for the pop tax that WVU med school has taken for years!!
With the educational outreach being done by Stan Maynard in the Dominican Republic, the COEHS has the perfect platform for starting a Certificate of Advanced Study program in International Education. 
An e-campus PhD program in Industrial Psych. would provide opportunities for the non-traditional student while research in this field would complement WV's indust. economic base. I have an MS from an e-campus WVU program and would jump at a PhD e-program.
I would like to see more online courses available, especially in the arts and education fields.  More and more adults are returning to college at a later age to finish their degrees or Masters/Dr., but still need to work full time to support families. 
MU should offer more degree programs that can be completed entirely online. Leading institutions around the world like UCL, Utrecht & Lund are already doing so. Also, drop the fee that effectively doubles the cost of online classes for full-time students!
19.Energy Efficiency- MU should offer a class on how to become more energy efficient in light of our nation's current energy crisis.
An engineering program oriented towards energy - both coal and alternative energy source - would fit Marshall's needs, greater social good, and attract both private and federal dollars.  We should be looking at wind, water, solar power.
An engineering program oriented towards energy - both coal and alternative energy source - would fit Marshall's needs, greater social good, and attract both private and federal dollars.  We should be looking at wind, water, solar power.
West Virginia has 15% of the nation's energy reserves and should be a national if not a regional center for the industry.    Shouldn't Marshall build a vision for energy related careers to attract companies to re-locate here in the heart of the resource?
I would like to see our environmental science program hire a faculty member who's knowledgeable about renewable energy, and let's start doing some things in that area.
Given the fact that Forensic Science is a booming academic discipline and that MU has one of the few accredited FSC programs in the country, we should investigate the resources needed that would allow us to accelerate to the doctoral level in this field.
Develop a BS degree in nursing for individuals who already have a BS degree in another field: most likely an 18-24 month long program. This will be an economic benefit and strengthen health care by providing additional qualified nurses.
4.First Aid Classes- An 8 week course in basic first aid needs to be offered to ALL MU students, not restricted to only medical students.
Healthcare: Programs of study in health care management, marketing, finance and economics.  Example: hospital administration, ethical issues in health care.
Develop and offer courses in health care informatics.
Develop a program in Histotechnology.  This used to be a hospital based program, but the certifying agency is now requiring at least and Associate Degree.  Currently there are 23 programs in the US.  St. Mary's has offered to help fund this program.
New Program in Histotechnology.  (This used to be a hospital based on-the-job training.)  This could be a post MLT option that would have a multi-skilled laboratory professional.
Collaborative effort of departments & integrative medicine to develop "MU Wholistic Healing Center" which is used by students & community. Dedicated to research and application of natural ways to heal, such as natural foods. Use NIH grants for funding. 
Develop a molecular diagnostics program; excellent chance for the College of Health Professions to collaborate with the community agencies and the med school.
Molecular diagnostics program – Dr. Rushton from the med school has been very strongly pushing this as well as St. Mary’s lab.  Excellent chance to collaborate with the med school.
Certificate Program in Molecular Diagnostics.  Some of the courses to be taught with IST.   (This would be a common curriculum for biotechnology and molecular diagnostics)
For the professional nurses and community-MU needs a nursing doctorate program. This is essential to the continued well being of the program and people in the community; MU nurses have historically made a significant impact on the delivery of health care.
Marshall needs an Occupational Therapy program! So many students in this area, college and high school are interested in the field. The closest schools are WVU and Shawnee State, but many students want to go to school in their hometown! 
Develop optometry/optician program - The nearest is Ohio State.  The projected need by the Bureau of Labor is an 88% growth in WV, 9.0% in OH and 22.7% in KY for optometrists. For opticians the projected growth is 73% in WV, 9.8 in OH, and 14.5 % in Ky
Potential optometry/optician program – The nearest is Ohio State.  The projected need by the Bureau of Labor is an 88% growth in WV, 9.0% in OH and 22.7% in KY for optometrists. For opticians the projected growth is 73% in WV, 9.8 in OH, and 14.5 % in KY.
When I was an undergraduate, everyone was required to take a class called "Personal Health."  I don't think many institutions, including ours, require such a course any more--unfortunately.  This too should be one of our general education outcomes.
I would recommend a gradual increase in admission standards for the undergraduate school. A student with a 2.0 GPA in high school is not ready to be a serious student in college. These kids should be working, in vocational school, or enrolled in less prestigious state schools. These students usually lower the standards in the classroom, making it more difficult for serious students to learn and less stimulating for faculty to teach.
There should be a more proactive approach to faculty development both as teachers and as scholars. Very little is done at the undergraduate level to insure quality of teaching. As a student at Marshall, I remember bad teachers who had been doing the same poor job year after year. For the last several years at the School of Medicine there has been an emphasis on faculty development as teachers. Student evaluations have been more carefully scrutinized. Outside national experts have been brought in expressly for sharing ideas about improving teaching skills. An Academy of Medical Educators has been created to recognize outstanding faculty and provide a forum for disseminating teaching skills and conducting research to enhance effective teaching. Judicious use of sabbaticals has been helpful in research development. We have recently sent our pediatric neurologist to the Harvard school of Public Health for two months with great success and our pediatric gastroenterologist will take a three month mini-sabbatical next year to develop a new research technique.
As MU President have outlined under the "economic development" section of the strategic vision, fund raising must be a top priority. State support will inevitably continue to decline over the next decade unless there is a miraculous change in our state's economy. The emphasis on private donations should be to build a large endowment where interest can be used to support growth and development. Bricks and mortar are only helpful if there is enough money to sustain the infrastructure and pay faculty a competitive wage. Despite a drop in extramural grants at the federal level, there are still millions available for quality research. In order to be competitive for these grants it is essential to have more terminal degrees at Marshall University in order to have doctoral candidates and post-docs to do research.
I find the draft for the strategic vision long on concepts and short on specific goals. A strategic plan requires very specific measurable outcomes. I suggest: 1.Admission standards: min high school GPA 2.2 in 2 yrs and 2.5 in 7 yrs, min ACT 21 in 2 yrs and 23 in 7 yrs  2.10 terminal degrees in 5 yrs 3. X dollars in extramural grants in 2 yrs and Y dollars in 7 yrs 4.X publications in refereed journals per yr/department in 2 yrs and Y publications per yr in 7 yrs 5.Rank in top 100 universities by US News and World Report by 10 yrs 6.Have one Nobel Prize laureate on staff within 10 yrs 7.Graduation rate of X, Y, Z percent of undergrads by 2,5 and 7 years respectively 8. Faculty salaries at X, Y, and 11 0 percent of national average at 2,5 and 7 yrs 9. Increase endowment fund to X, Y and Z dollars at 2, 5 and 7 yrs 10.Increase ethnic diversity of students and faculty from X % to Y % in 7 yrs 11.Have X top 25 nat-ly ranked athletic teams in 5 yrs and one National Champion in 7 yrs 12.Increase non revenue sports from X to Y teams in 7 yrs 13.Develop strong intramural athletic prog-s to involve X % of students in 2 yrs and Y % in 7 yrs
We should look at a School of Pharmacy program. This could be coupled into the Medical school, would not take a lot of money to start up, would help us with our doctoral programs, and would help serve the community and the state.
Begin planning a Ph.D. and DNP in nursing
Establish a program in physical therapy, perhaps in the med school. 
MU should develop a physical therapy school.
Physical Therapy is one of the fastest growing and high paying medical career fields.  With Marshall's great track record with our med school, I would think a doctorate level PT program at MU would be a great fit.
No place in the state is better suited to develop a physical therapy program than the Kanawha Valley, the population and medical centers of WV.  From S.Chas., a P.T. program would find itself in the midst of countless clinical practice opportunities.
Consider OT/PT programs.- Nearest programs are Ohio State, WVU and UK;  Projected growth through 2012: WV OT 2.78%, PT 2.99%; OH PT 27.9%,, OT 32%; KY PT 50%, OT 18%
Expand health professions programs offered. Evaluate inclusion of physical therapy, occupational therapy, music therapy, art therapy, molecular diagnostics, optometry, etc. All are growth areas in health care with limited or no local educational programs.
Workshops and Health Fairs using Point-of-Care laboratory instruments for blood tests.  Also provide workshops for healthcare providers on these point-of-care instruments.
There is a high demand for educating health care professionals in West Virginia.  Currently, students who wish to enter the nursing program take Human Anatomy (BSC 227) in the first semester of their freshman year.  This is a difficult course - one that may discourage many students at this point in their academic development.  MU should strongly consider a summer preparatory course where motivated pre-nursing students have a chance to get the skills they will need to succeed.  This could have a significant impact on retention, and it would be very easy to assess the program by determining the number of students who successfully complete BSC 227 with and without the preparatory course.
*College of Veterinary Science *Program for Physicians' Assistant *In-state tuition for larger geographic area *Focus greater efforts on advertising, marketing, recruiting students (espec. at the Graduate College)
We should partner with industry to develop the economic development potential of Home Land Security initiatives. We can help provide educational programs that will produce job opportunities in this burgeoning field. 
Establish an Honors College at Marshall.
Establish an Honors College at Marshall, which includes an Office for Nationally Competitive Awards to assist all qualified Marshall University students in competing for national and international scholarships like the Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright Scholarships, etc.
MU establish and administer a Higher Education and Applied Technology Center in Huntington area bringing in courses of study/degree programs from other colleges/universities not available at MU.  Tie to Velocity Center and business technology development
Work with COFA and psychology to explore possibility of Music and Art therapy degrees
Develop a certificate program in Molecular Diagnostics.  This could be a joint program with IST.  (Some common curriculum for both programs with some specialized courses for each.)
Develop an Interdisciplinary Child Diagnostic and Intervention Center. Builds on current pediatric activities and provides a regional center of expertise from multiple Colleges. Research/teaching opportunities. Self-supporting within 3 years or less. 
Develop a Department of Creativity - a cross/inter-disciplinary program that studies  the creative process and its application to meeting challenges in various disciplines. Students/Faculty develop strategies to meet specific challenges collaboratively.
Undergraduate interest in forensic science is strong, and MU forensic science program is a draw.  Forensic science is an excellent interdisciplinary field, and MU should develop a truly interdisciplinary undergraduate forensic science laboratory elective.
Gerontology: Programs of study focused on the aging population.   Examples:  marketing to the elderly, managing an aging workforce, estate planning.
A new superstructure of governance is needed to develop interdisciplinary areas above dept. level to prevent turf disputes.   There is no coordination of hiring to plan development among units.  Examples:  nanotechnology and GIS.
Expand health related collaborations on campus.  Dietetics partners with Communication Disorders to provide feeding assessments for patients.  More opportunities would be available for faculty and students if such collaborations were further explored.
Enhance development and growth in health-related disciplines by consolidating all health programs. Benefits: teaching and research synergy, minimize duplication of courses, strengthen clinical experiences, and emphasize interdisciplinary activities.
Faculty who wanted to create an interdisciplinary professional master's in physiology were discouraged by turf barriers. A way needs to be found allowing faculty from COS (Biology), COEHS (ESSR), SOM (Physiology) and Nursing to offer such a program.
Develop an interdisciplinary certificate program in molecular diagnostics between IST, Clinical Laboratory Sciences and SOM.  Expand connections with Biotechnology MS program at WV State University.  Increase stipends to attract more grad students.
Professional Doctoral Degree in Forensic Science for working forensics scientists. Consideration should be given to a blended distance (-80%) site (-20%) approach that would attract a national and potentially international student population. Using a differential tuition surcharge appropriate for a targeted mid-to-upper career level executive audience, the net income from this program offers the possibility that is could support a resident Ph.D. program in Forensic Science.- Doctor of Physical Therapy – this degree program is rapidly becoming the entry-level for physical therapy practitioners. Addition of this program will enhance the availability of practitioners, while increasing the expertise available for advancing the rehabilitative science platform at Marshall.- Biomedical Informatics and Diagnostics – an interdisciplinary degree program like this one would fit well with the growing emphasis on biotechnology research and development. 
It is my proposal that we begin the process of developing an interdisciplinary, interdepartmental 15 credit hour certification program in School Neuropsychology.  The program would be designed to train School Psychologists to integrate neuropsychological principles into their assessment protocols.  The program would be a combination of didactic experience through the web, and on-site course work.  There would also be supervised clinical experience, using the latest neuropsychological assessment instruments, designed for school-aged children, which is essential for programmatic success.  The courses would be developed and taught between Huntington and South Charleston.  The practicum experience would occur within the Marshall University Community Clinic, and the Summer Program which are presently in place in Dunbar and would provide an excellent opportunity for students to demonstrate clinical competence. I believe that a program such as this is consistent with Marshall’s Strategic Plan and will clearly provide a much needed service to our regional service area. 

 
Top-down support and encouragement of timely adoption of academic initiatives to better respond to societal demands: interdisciplinary programs; areas of emphasis for RBA and BAS - a Marshall initiative that was left in the dust by a more aggressive WVU
It was our vision that one of the local universities would provide post-secondary opportunities in this field as well as collaboration with Kanawha County to expand the program to other school systems in the region via distance learning and the internet. An internet search reveals that more and more colleges are offering programs in "International Studies" such as Georgetown University, UNC Greensboro, and So. California Community Colleges to name a few. As a MU graduate, I believe this program may serve to elevate Marshall's business program to a higher status as well as make the Advantage Valley corridor even more attractive to national and international corporations. I believe this idea could be initiated with minimal cost and relatively minor curriculum adjustments to Marshall University.  At the same time it could provide large returns for the institution in terms of regional business, government involvement and grant opportunities.  Marshall University can take the lead in our region for this idea!
Sissonville High presented itself as a good fit for such a venture as it is located near NGK Sparkplugs (Japanese), Toyota, and WV-American Water (German) companies.Sissonville High has already implemented this program of studies as a magnet school with emphasis in the areas of:  Social Studies, Foreign Language, Business, and Technologies.  They also offer other special opportunities in the area.
and WV-American Water (German) companies. Sissonville High has already implemented this program of studies as a magnet school with emphasis in the areas of:  Social Studies, Foreign Language, Business, and Technologies.  They also offer other special opportunities in the area. It was our vision that one of the local universities would provide post-secondary opportunities in this field as well as collaboration with Kanawha County to expand the program to other school systems in the region via distance learning and the internet. An internet search reveals that more and more colleges are offering programs in "International Studies" such as Georgetown University, UNC Greensboro, and So. California Community Colleges to name a few. As a MU graduate, I believe this program may serve to elevate Marshall's business program to a higher status as well as make the Advantage Valley corridor even more attractive to national and international corporations. I believe this idea could be initiated with minimal cost and relatively minor curriculum adjustments to Marshall University.  At the same time it could provide large returns for the institution in terms of regional business, government involvement and grant opportunities.  Marshall University can take the lead in our region for this idea!
Studying abroad fosters critical thinking & prepares students to live/work in a global environment.  Promote retention & build intellectual capital by offering each MU student who maintains a 3.0 during first 60 MU credits a scholarship for study abroad.
Global literacy is today what computer literacy was 20 yrs ago.  MU should establish a School of International Studies that is multi-disciplinary & prepares students for jobs that are critical to our national security and global business competitiveness.
Establish a School of International Studies that requires intensive language preparation and study abroad.  Link this to the College of Business, and you will have graduates that create jobs internationally and bring them back to West Virginia.
In response to your solicitation for community input for the university, I propose the following: The implementation of an "INTERNATIONAL STUDIES" program at Marshall. I have been involved with the construction and development of a new middle school in Sissonville, WV - a suburb north of Charleston. The group I worked with, "Better Schools, Better Communities" suggested that the new Sissonville Middle School (now under construction) and the current Sissonville High School implement a magnet curriculum for international studies. I personally presented this concept to the governor's "West Virginia, Vision Shared" panel in the summer of '04.  They were quite enthusiastic about the opportunities this could create for the region in terms of economic development and the access to a well-educated population, one that could be prepared to reach outside state and national boundaries.  Vision Shared offered its expertise and resources to develop the program as soon as possible. Sissonville High presented itself as a good fit for such a venture as it is located near NGK Sparkplugs (Japanese), Toyota, 
In response to your solicitation for community input for the university, I propose the following: The implementation of an"INTERNATIONAL STUDIES" program at Marshall. I have been involved with the construction and development of a new middle school in Sissonville, WV - a suburb north of Charleston.  The group I worked with, "Better Schools, Better Communities" suggested that the new Sissonville Middle School (now under construction) and the current Sissonville High School implement a magnet curriculum for international studies. I personally presented this concept to the governor's "West Virginia, Vision Shared" panel in the summer of '04.  They were quite enthusiastic about the opportunities this could create for the region in terms of economic development and the access to a well-educated population, one that could be prepared to reach outside state and national boundaries.  Vision Shared offered its expertise and resources to develop the program as soon as possible.
 
MU needs to foster greater student & faculty exchange with universities around the world, especially in Asia and Australia.
MU is by large a regional university, but its graduates almost inevitably find themselves competing in an economy that is globalize.  It is important to create an internationalization program to better prepare its students as future employees.
A focus on global issues needs to be infused across the curriculum.  MU should establish a School of International Studies that is multi-disciplinary & prepares students for jobs that are critical to our national security & global business competitiveness
Encourage faculty to participate in efforts to internationalize the curriculum & promote study abroad & develop an international dimension to their teaching, research & service using financial incentives, promotion/tenure, release time, job descriptions.
There is a lack of courses w/ international focus at the 100/200 level. Incorporate an international dimension into the general studies curriculum to ensure students study abroad or take advantage of an international experience locally by junior year.
A Law school sounds very good, that would bring a lot of new students and possibly new business. The university should build a 20 story dorm building/rec center/shopping center for students in that lot across from old main across from hussons pizza
 
Marshall should add more graduate and doctorial programs, especially law as we are the only full sized university named after the 1st chief justice. The law program should be both day and evening and located at S. Charleston campus with concentrations. 
Develop a law school that caters to the nontraditional student, located at MUGC utilizing E and evening classes.
Marshall University needs a law school plus twenty (20) years to grow its own alumni who will run for office.  Once this is in place our alumni will "fight" for funding dollars for MU to the same degree the legislative body now fights for dollars for WVU.
My name is Chris May and I am a 2003 graduate of MU.  I feel that in order for MU to stay current and meet the needs and wants of the area, it is crucial that we plan and develop a Law School.  
MU should develop a part-time/night law school either in So. Charleston or Huntington campus.  A four year night law school may not present as much of threat to WVU Law. 
Create a Law School Investigate the possibility of establishing a Law School.  One line of action worthy of consideration is linking with an established proprietary school offering such a degree.I would suggest that we approach Capital University in Columbus Ohio.  We have personal contacts with them and their law school.  Capital offers a program uniquely tailored for the full-time employed and provides evening courses and off-campus offerings. As a private institution, Capital has great flexibility and is not answerable to the Ohio higher education system. Moreover, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission now encourages alliances with out-of-state proprietary schools where needs exist in-state. Some sort of a cooperative agreement creating a self-funding school will alleviate accreditation and start-up costs and lessen objections to the prohibitive expenditures associated with such an endeavor. Housing the bulk of the “School” in the Kanawha Valley would provide access to the Supreme Court’s library, secure a ready made clientele and increase Marshall’s presence and prestige in the area.
A law school on the Marshall University Huntington Campus Only a fraction of West Virginia residents who go to law school end up at the state's only law school at West Virginia University. While there is a lot of support for locating a new law school on the Charleston Campus, I feel that this would be a mistake. Receiving law degrees in Charleston would fail to create identification with Marshall. We need to graduate students who are strongly loyal to Marshall. Some of those students will run for state legislative seats. We need these types of loyal, dedicated supporters. A law school would also create greater support for Marshall. Studies indicate that: * The greater the number of services provided by an organization such as a university, the more support it will receive from others who are dependent on it. * Also, the greater the dependence, the greater the legitimacy and support.
DEAR MR KOPP MY DAUGHTER RECIVED A B.S IN HISTORY FROM MARSHAL IN 3 YEARS WITH GPA OF 3.68 AND IS NOW A 3ERD YEAR LAW STUDENT AT WVU. MR KOPP IT IS A SHAME THAT THE UNIVERSITY NAMED AFTER THE GREAT JURIST AND AMERICAN JOHN MARSHALL DOES NOT HAVE A LAW SCHOOL! I UNDERSTAND THAT WVA IS A SMALL STATE BUT WITH NATIONAL APPEAL OF MSU ITS TIME FOR A LAW SCHOOL ! PLEASE FORGIVE MY GRAMMER IM DISABLED COAL MINER, BUT FOR SAKE OF FUTURE PROSPERITY OF THIS SCHOOL BECAUSE LAYERS MAKE GREAT ALUMNI AND SUPPORT THE SCHOOLS I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR MARSHALL TO HAVE A LAW SCHOOL AFTER ALL THERE ARE 2 MEDICAL SCHOOLS IN WVA AT WVU, MARSHALL WHY NOT 2 LAW SCHOOLS THANK YOU FOR READING MY LETTER       
We need to look into a School of Law. This university was founded on the principles of the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and we do not offer a Law Degree. This advanced degree will again further our graduate/doctoral studies.
Marshall is in need of a law school.  As a Marshall alum and a WVU College of Law graduate, I fail to see why WV has only one law school.  Marshall was named for one of our nation's greatest jurists. Time to continue our growth & establish a law school.
I propose we finally take the steps to instate the Marshall University School of Law.  It is only fitting, we take such a necessary step, after all, we are named in honor of the great American jurist himself.
As a 1996 graduate of Marshall I still find it strange that we do not have a law degree program.  A law program would elivate Marshall to a new national level and practicing attorneys also tend to support their alma maters in monetary fashion.
W.Va. needs a better law school, and MU has proven it can do medical school better than WVU, so why not a John Marshall College of Law?  I'm a WVU grad (B.A. & J.D.), but my wife is a WVU grad and current MU student. Everything MU has been better.
establish a Law School at Marshall.  Initially as an adjunct to WVU school of Law. Leverage Tri-State lawyers to teach basic course work. Incorporate Paralegal course of study in the school. Initiall have basic courses at MU and follow-on courses at WVU.
A school named after John Marshall should offer a law education, dedicated to the premise of citizen-led government and excellent affordable legal services to WV citizens from WV citizens, educated in WV. Impact of US liability law vs world on US econ? 
By developing a Law School near the Capitol, we will better serve the people of WV, plus have more of an impact on future legislative sessions and public policy as our alumni increase their role within WV government with less of a wvu-centric mindset. 
Marshall should give serious consideration to developing a school of law. Provide greater professional opportunities for WV, open new adult career choices , increase academic programs, attract out-of-state students & eventually give more legisla. members
As others have suggested, Marshall absolutely needs a JD program. It would be invaluable both as a recruiting tool and as a way to keep MU graduates in the Huntington area. 
It would make sense for MU to have a law school and the wellness center should be put on a back burner. Don't mimic WVU with new buildings. If we want to compete with WVU we should better our existing programs or create a program they don't have. 
We need a law school.Make the law school tuition high enough for the law school part to be self sufficient.
Create a new field, under Med School, called Medical Engineering, using information management, engineering, and statistical process control principles to improve the availability, retreival, and diagn. from medical data, and get impr low-cost med. care.
MU should look into developing a program for Medical Supply Warehousing.  The field is growing and with the emphasis on homeland security, there is and will continue to be a need for trained medical warehousing specialists.
Marshall needs to retain more students. Student begin there college experience here then go to schools that offer Law, Engineering, Architecture, Dental,quailty students will apply. They also leave for schools which allow sophomores to live off campus.
Based on co-op engineering models (Va.Tech, U of Cinn.) establish MU co-op study programs in bio-technology, health care and education. A new tool to bring in highly talented WV high school students.
Top 5 workforce investment training areas provided by WIA Region 2 in 2003 were LPN; truck/bus/other commercial vehicle operator; medical assistant; RN; and cosmetologist.  Notice the lack of college degrees needed?  Expand the local market for degrees!
Focus on the development of new high value degree programs. At a minimum, these priority programs should be self-supporting and contribute important expertise to MU. Priority should be given to studying the feasibility of establishing the following new degree programs: - 4-Year, ABET-Accredited Engineering Program – Although the development of this program is underway in the College of Information Technology and Engineering, MU must commit to ensuring the long-term success of this program. Increasing the number of engineers in West Virginia is a key strategic goal for improving the state’s intellectual capital and economic horizons;- Law School – J.D. (juris doctor – general practice law) degree and with L.L.M. (master of laws) degrees offered in key areas that create value for the state and MU (e.g., intellectual property/patent law, international law, and forensics law. An option to consider is partnering with an existing, accredited law school. 
New Programs: 1.Proposed programs should complement WVU and other state college degree programs. 2.Proposed programs (short term) prioritized by need for economic development, and needs of this region. 3.Proposed programs develop current strengths and address emerging needs. 4. Four year engineering school is a necessity 5. Med School, Nursing programs could be developed (alternate/complementary care, physical therapy) 6.Vocational programs developed to support current strengths and emerging needs especially in medical and biotech areas. 7.Biotech  8.School of Vet. Med. 9.Law School should be priority to better position MU politically and fiscally. Location: Charleston/Huntington? (Advantage Valley initiative)
Law School , Dental school, School of pharmacy, Engineering program.   I think all of these programs would help Marshall grow in numbers of students as well as stature in the college ranks.
We need a law school, engineering school (mechanical, civil, chemical & electrical).
MU needs professional schools and/or programs to elevate growth in order to create a more affluent alumni base, which will be tomorrow's donors.  Schools we need: law, engineering, dental, pharmacy, architectural, and veterinary.
I believe it is important that MU be more aggressive in obtaining a law school.  UC is taking the lead in that area and in the area of a pharmacy school. A 4 year engineering school is in the works and is needed.  A Vet school also would be an idea.
Considering that Marshall is named after a great lawyer, why don't we have a law school? Makes no sense to me.  We also need a Vet school and a Nurse Anesthetist school. Anesthesia is a HIGH paying job and there is a huge shortage of them in this area.
The capitol city of the state is a logical location for the University to grow graduate programs in criminology and environmental studies.  Both of those would work well with graduate programs already in South Charleston.
MU should focus on degrees that WVU doesn't offer to lure potential students here. 2 programs that come to mind are a Vet school and a Nurse Anesthetist school. Marshall is mostly about medicine and these fields just make sense to have.
I think it's important for MU to develop professional schools that WVU doesn't have.I support a vet school and optometry school at Marshall U. 2)more phd's need to be offered-journalism?biotech? history? forensics? anything to grow the phd program.
Develop second degree programs, particularly for nursing
We need more focus on Parent Programs, given the increased involvement of parents in their child's life. They can be a tremendous recruitment and retention resource if used wisely. How involved do we want them, where can they be used the most effectively?
Analyze the offerings of other public universities within a 150-200 mile radius of Huntington.  Cross reference these institutions' course offerings.  This should give us an indication of what studies abound and which are in short supply...thus, demand.
Stop planning for, and implementing, more doctoral or professional programs until the ones in existence have adequate (not minimal)resources
Create a Carnegie Teaching Academy Campus program (where university community comes together for conversations to determine what helps and hinders scholarship of teaching) to radically influence teaching, link learning, teaching, scholarship together.
Has Marshall University considered a 4-year degree program in Tourism and Hospitality?
Marshall should develop a four-year degree program in tourism and hospitality.  Many universities have similar programs along with a camput hotel facility run primarily by the students and faculty as part of their practial experience for degree completion
Tourism: Programs of study focused on the travel and hospitality industries.   Examples: ecotourism management, hotel and restaurant management, tourism marketing, logistics.
Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in West Virginia.  Among the more popular forms of tourism are site visitation and historical interpretation. 1. Marshall is uniquely positioned to assume a leadership role in developing historical preservation and tourism for the Mid-Ohio Valley Region.  The Department of History has in place a special area on Public History. 2. The Tri-State Region abounds with historical sites, especially those associated with the Ante Bellum and Civil War periods.  There exist several “Nuggets” that when mined will add luster to what can become a major industry.  Examples include: Mike Perry’s Heritage Farm, the Point Pleasant River Museum, the Huntington Museum of Arts and scores of historical sites in the Tri-State Region. 3. At the very least, Marshall should host a regional conference to explore the potential development of a comprehensive tourism/historical preservation plan.
PLease include a recognition of Transportation as an area of focus in this area. Transportation has been more viable than Biotech, although I support both. Transportation should also be an area of focus.
WV desperately needs a veterinary school.  No place could be better situated for it than Charleston/S.Chas. The S. Chas. campus could expand to fit it or empty space at the Dow Park could be used. The school would provide much needed service & econ. help.
Although a Law School may sound attractive, we should consider (1) the demand for more lawyers, and (2) the increasing availabililty of online degrees. As an alternative, we should consider a School of Veterinary Medicine.
The State of West Virginia is without a School of Veterinary Medicine. There are only 28 nationwide and are limited spaces available. The addition of this program will not only serve West Virginia, but would bring in out of state students and tuition.
 
While it would be an expensive undertaking, a School of Veterinary Medicine would (1) be unique to WV, and (2) respond to a huge national demand for vets.
A solid waste management / recycling / composting course offered on a regular basis would be useful. Because those are my areas of specialty, I would be glad develop such a course if asked.
The Great Rivers summer program would leverage existing relationships with RTI, USACE, local watershed associations, and expertise in CoS and CITE.
Start a summer institute in Point Pleasant or Montgomery with an emphasis on Watershed Resource Science/Management.  Students would be attracted by international reputation of New and Gauley Rivers and chance to learn on two great rivers (Kanawha, Ohio).
WV is made up of mostly small business MU either can be the premier institution to develop curriculum or develop consultative services of staff to develop existing business to grow.  Research and seek out those business in trouble  or behind and help 
With cutbacks, many don't get needed services. Thus, many juvenile delinquents are illiterate. COEHS should lead cooperative program w/ teaching, counseling, etc., to help salvage their lives. Great experience for our students -- very rewarding.
We need an additional incentive to attract more statewide PROMISE recipients.  This could increase residence hall occupancy, will improve the quality of students, and generate additional revenue for the institution.
Expand international learning experiences for students and faculty members by supporting study abroad and exchange programs. This would help all involved gain a global perspective.
Create summer camp academic programs based on the athletic camp model of a four-day experience on campus.
Have mathematics and science "camps" not only for kids but also for adults. Make them entertaining as well as educational.
Bring dollars to campus/Huntington during summer by offering summer courses/institutes/camps. Use underused facilities (classrooms/dorms) while bringing funds to city as well as enhancing image by offering unique programs, ex; parish nursing institute.
Provide summer camp experiences that go beyond athletics.  Using the athletic camp prototype, Marshall University can provide summer camps in computers, writing, performing arts, science, leadership, and etc.  The resident halls lie empty all summer. 
How can we expand our linkages with high schools to ensure that graduates are adequately prepared for post-secondary programs? What metric should we use to assure that this is being taken care of effectively? 1. Academic Fantasy Camp.  This could help bring some very good students in the summer to expose them to what MU has to offer. Maybe offer credit.  Science camp. Camps at all different ages. 2. The university needs a show on academics that highlights.  MU report weekly. Hire young faculty with energy. Our bandleader is an example. Our faculty need to be acknowledged for those that are go beyond the call of duty. 3. Marshall Magazine focuses too much on the million dollar donor and not on the real contributors. 
The skill of "learning how to learn" is not only needed, but is necessary for anyone entering any university.  Marshall could create campus/online classes on this topic for those already enrolled and also for high school students preparing for college.
establish "ditance learning" video capability at southern WV high schools for the community. Target people working in business, education and professions. Allow them to obtaing undergraduate and graduate course work in their communities.
Collaborate with Wayne/Cabell schools to develop a pilot project that establishes a "virtual" math/science/art design academy at MU for high school students. It should be scalable for expansion statewide and adaptable to encompass grades 6-8.
Establish a "field trip" program for elementary/middle school students classes to visit an MU academic facility and attend an MU Olympic sport contest free of charge. Provide students with a Marshall item and initiate their interest in MU and MU athletics
Many students and teachers in WV K-12 schools are disconnected from our globalize world. MU should establish a teacher exchange program & partner with WVDE to place foreign visiting scholars in WV rural schools to teach foreign languages & other subjects
develop an organized program involving nutrition faculty to serve as mentors or a big brother big sister model to support health and nutrition clubs in high schools who in turn work with middle school students. This would be self sustaining year to year. 
Work with local school districts (e.g., Cabell and Wayne) to establish a public Math, Science, Design and Engineering Academy modeled after the Illinois Math and Science Academy in Aurora, IL (http://www.imsa.edu/). The proposed integration of “design” with math, science and engineering offers a unique educational opportunity to blend aesthetic and logical thinking frameworks with the goal of fostering greater creativity and inventiveness. 
Faculty members in sciences could develop outreach labs, hold workshops for teachers to learn to use the labs, and purchase and maintain equipment which can be checked out by high schools to use the labs and offer teacher scientist partnerships. 
Develop a partnership between the athletic department and local schools and youth organizations Capitalize on the many opportunities to tie the classroom with athletics. Reward excellence in attendance and challenge students to strive for academic growth
We have not fully capitalized and supported our Kanawha Valley presence because we have traditionally been Huntington-centric.  We are giving away the economic and gov. center of the State to other institutions and it may be too late to do anything.
Realize that we must expand the university’s visibility to areas beyond the Tri-State. As a start, we must create a larger footprint in Putnam and Kanawha counties. Kanawha County ranks second only to Cabell in the number of students enrolled at Marshall.  Putnam County ranks 3rd.  Cultivate and Promote!  Investigate needs both physical and programmatic and employ the Mid-Ohio Valley Center as a model.
FOLLOW UP ANSWERS TO THE THREE QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE MARSHALL UNIVERSITY SPONSERED LEARNING CENTER IN FAIRFIELD WEST COMMUNITY AS ANSWERED BY PASTOR SHAW AND PANEL FROM REAL LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER I.  What Do We Want to Accomplish In The Learning Center? A. Enhance Skills in Core Subjects -Reading, Writing and Arithmetic 1. Follow-up with assignment taught in school- helping student to accomplish task
 B. Have students meet expected performance on grade level
C. Provide one on one teaching to address learning disabilities and challenges.
D. Work on social development skills I.E. :
  1. Proper peer group interaction
  2. Respect for Authority
  3. Express Dangers of Substance Abuse
E. Perform Immediate assessment of each child to establish base line and to target Childs' area of weakness'
F. Present a relaxed environment for students / study friendly
G. Encourage Parental and Community involvement at the center
H. Further assist parents in helping kids to learn
I.  Supply Handouts for parents to teach core subjects
J. Provide Transportation when necessary
C. Meet all AYP- Adequate Yearly Progress in all sub cells
D. Improved Scores on Standardized Testing
E. Reduction of drop-out rate in Fairfield West community
F. Truancy problem reduced
G. Healthier behavior and conduct in class rooms, community and home
H. Help reduce teen pregnancy
I. Making  young men and women  gainful contributors to society
J. Better attitude toward life in general
K. Create a Stronger Community, Business and Church Support
 
Dear Dr. Kopp:
As a concerned member of the community, I am pleased that you and Marshall University have taken the initiative for the enhancement of our children and our future through the strategic vision process. I therefore submit a response to earlier discussions of the development of a Learning Center in the Fairfield West Community that would involve Marshall University, Cabell County Board of Education, local pastors, community and civic leaders.
I trust that this will further the process. Any questions or comments please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Sincerely,
Charles D. Shaw
Pastor/President
K. Serve Food- Snacks
L. Give Goal Oriented Incentives
  1. Certificates/ Diplomas
  2. Monetary gifts/Gift Certificates
  3. Graduation Party
1. For making the honor roll, significant grade improvements, scholarships and etc.
M. Special Needs teachers to help children with special needs
N. Include proper community role models for children to pattern after
  1.  Involvement of business owners and agency mentors
O. Have trained qualified students that any employer would want to hire

II.  What Do We Expect to Change?
A. Learning methods and study habits
B. Negative Attitudes
1. Academics
2. School/Teachers
3. Low Self Esteem
4. Way of thinking that good grades are nerdy
5. Change mindset about Higher Education (going further than high school, college degrees, etc.)
C. Discrepancy in minority academic gaps
D. Change negative stereotype of teachers of our children
1. They can't learn
2. They have no interest in learning

III.  What is Considered Success?
A. Overcoming Learning Challenges.
1. GPA Improvement
B. Reading on or above grade level
 
MU partner with Community Center to offer mentoring and tutorial programs in the Fairfield Communities.  MU education students could help with Center clients in reading, math, science and foreign language by tutoring and involving parents/teachers.
I would like to see a "Lifelong Learning Center" set up in Downtown Huntington offering literacy and basic life skills classes to all age groups.  The long vacant corner of 4th Avenue & 10th Street might be a good location - or the Huntington Arcade.
Simple input: The city painted the fire hydrants Kelly green to match Marshall's true colors. Marshall then abandoned it's true colors to sell more merchandise. I find it an insult to Marshall's alums that we have abandoned our true roots. BACK to KELLY!
Marshall U. should focus on the needs of students & be a learning-focused institution. This begins with a common understanding that faculty and staff  are here at Marshall to engage, conduct, & measure student learning. Everything we do affects learning.
Continue disaster recovery and business contingency planning and implementation. Not just IT but should extend to other units (Business Continuity Plan)
The rhetoric is impressive.  However,  "Nothing kills a good idea faster than poor execution" is an old saying from the holy grail of 'Madison Avenue.' 
First, foremost, now, forever, MU is in the business of education.  Repeat: education. 
Thomas Friedman's "The Earth Is Flat" is a poor intellectual resource. Capitalism is not "inevitable": democracy is not the handmaiden of capitalism; and the outcome of Globalism is not known and may very well be unending strife: e.g., the Iraq war!!
R. Birnbaum(2002):...education for democracy, for social justice, for the whole person, for the perpetuation of civilization. That is what people came to believe colleges and universities did... now we talk about being the engines of the economy does not excite the imagination of the public, or commit faculty, staff, or students to their institution and its success, or connect the university to our deepest human needs.
 
Instead of Friedman, decision-makers should read Kevin Phillips' "Wealth and Democracy." He shows how business has always tried to co-opt other American institutions and use them for suspect ends. This is exactly what is happening now to higher education!
Many submitted ideas have not appeared in this listing, perhaps there were blacked out days?
Pls continue what you've started here by (e.g.) setting up an e-mail address to which faculty and staff may submit ideas.  At the very least it would improve morale by giving faculty and staff the feeling that we have an outlet for expressing ourselves.
I would like to suggest that as we go forward with envisioning a fabulous future for Marshall, we hire professional consultants trained in Appreciative Inquiry to facilitate the voices of all MU employees.
255 characters is simply not enough, and some people have clearly found a way around the limit.  Lift it for the last few days here so that some ideas more complex than "build a weightroom" can be expressed!  Or give us the workaround!
Mass Com students must pursue a 'generalist' career path to prepare them for future jobs. With content as king, they need to be able to use multiple mediums fluently. Make their content 100% web-accessible and the student will send it to parents/siblings.
A multidimensional approach to student success must be a priority for the whole university. Approaches include engaging the student in and out of class, giving gen ed meaning to the student, lowering hrs req for grad, easing xfers with common gen-ed,etc.
Reform Marshall's General Education requirements, make them coherent and meaningful and bring them into accord with the idea of a liberal education and the needs of students in today's world.  The current "system" is a mess that alienates students.
Reform Marshall's General Education requirements.  Its current state is a complete disaster, penalizes students who transfer between colleges, and discourages students.  More coherence would also make a Marshall education more meaningful and useful.
Marshall University needs a comprehensive general education core of courses to increase student retention and to improve the transferability of credit from 2-year institutions.
As with Program Review, the general education curriculum  and the Marshall Plan must be reviewed with consideration of a core curriculum in the general education part of each degree
We should attempt to instill the habit of reading, perhaps by requiring, as part of general education, the submission of so many book reports during students' tenure here.
I agree that we should work on general education.  It bothers me very much that higher education seems to have moved more in the direction of preparing students for careers than educating the whole person & preparing them for life.
Can't be described in 250 words BUT get Art, Architectural, preEngineering, etc. involved in Hands-on experiences going to run-down blks & area volunteering their expertise in upgrading property, maybe w/ materials donated b Lowe's, etc.  GROW!
To increase the potential learning, retention, and commitment to MU of students, we should personalize the educational process as much as possible by teaching through undergraduate research, faculty-student collaboration, community action research, etc.
MU is an educational institution; therefore the first priority is the education of students. research is somewhere lower on the list, and athletics near the bottom.
Optimize learning opportunities in critical areas of demand that are consistent with the strengths of the University and the learning needs of an educated citizenry at the local, state, national, and international levels. This may include expansion of off-campus facilities that have shown great potential for growth and the expansion of 2+2 agreements with a major emphasis.  
Put more resources into Artists Series and lecture programs.
At one time MU was a leader, but now many other area programs are superior to MU -- Shawnee State at Portsmouth, Paramount at Ashland and U of Charleston.
 
The Arts are a multi million dollar industry in our nation.  They serve as economic  connectors,have a major impact in communities and play a major role in the recruitment and retention of quality students & faculty. MU needs to market their programs.
Many of the responses call for a law school. The U.S.has more attorney's than the rest of the world combined.Our country, state, and city do not need more lawyers. We do need to join the 21st Century in the world of bio-tech and engineering.Let's do this.
Accounting programs are needed in the Kanawha Valley.  MU could improve its KV support and provide a much needed service to the accounting profession by providing both a masters degree in accounting and a non-degree for others - a type of bridge to work
If you are serious about economic development, the concept must permeate the entire educational experience.  Just as students must take English and math courses, make "Entrepreneurship" a required course.
MU should develop a program outlining the proper and improver uses of credit.  Too many people have access to credit without fulling understanding the negative impacts of improperly using this tool.  Improper use destroyes lives and families.
MU should promote a program towards personal finances/personal independence e.g. wealth building.  Specifically how to develop a dividend producing portfolio which creates an additional funding stream to support an individual's life style.  
Marshall needs a class that EVERYONE should HAVE to take that teaches kids how to manage their finances and financial decisions. Basically teaching kids how to survive in the real world so they are not so far into debt when they get out of college.
I agree w/thsuggested that we should teach students how to manage money.  This should be one of our general education "outcomes."  I don't think an entire three-hour course is probably necessary; but perhaps a one-hour course would be in order.
An increasing number of people are selecting the career path of financial planning. The process requires a commitment both in terms of certification and mastery of the major planning areas of study. This finance program can create pathways for success.
Financial Planning: Programs of study focused on personal financial planning.  Examples: insurance planning, employee benefits, investment management, retirement and estate planning.
10.Real World- MU needs to require that students take a course on how the real world works.  That class should cover things like: what is your credit report, how credit cards works, how to balance a checkbook, how to buy a home, how to buy a car, etc. 
Econ. Dev. is more than just research. Academics can play a huge role(i.e "Thematic years" could focus LCOB classes on single issues to aid WV econ dev). Fred Smith made a simple observation in an undergrad economics paper and founded Fed-Ex on that obs
Marshall needs to enhance the Center for Academic Excellence with more scholarships and study abroad monies. Efforts to recruit honors students must expand out of  state with target marketing. Support for faculty teaching in the program must be increased
The Center for Teaching Excellence is a wonderful support for faculty at this institution. The CTE supports five major programs with staff on reassign time. We must staff the CTE with fulltime support and  increase the budget to further support teaching
MU needs to view Community & Technical College as a way to get students for 4 year programs.  Many students (adults out of school awhile) are afraid of college, but will attend a CTC.  After they are successful at CTC, they will enroll at MU  Support CTC
Marshall University should plan to decrease the rate at which students leave Marshall University before graduating. More computer science courses should be offered because there is a steady and growing demand for information technology.
Serve as continuing education (CPU) resource for professionals. Provide on-campus conferences, online classes, summer institutes and regional/national professional meetings. Definite opportunity in Health Professions.
Continuing Education for Healthcare facilities on the Web.
Marshall University establish it's self as the University that provides Continuing Education for professionals needing hours of training for certifications, licensures Our company spends $1,500 per staff, those in needs CPA, ATC, PT, SLP, Nursing, HR, DR
6.Self Defense- The self defense courses that are noncredit and scheduled randomly are not widely known to those of us who do not live in the dorms.  Perhaps MU could email that info to us, so that all students are prepared and informed.
The seemingly exclusive focus on biotech is foolish; every university in the nation is making the same bet, and many are better equipped and located to succeed in this.  We need to make a broader series of bets on technologies and sciences than biotech.
An expansion of the Early Education Center, the laboratory preschool, so that Infants/Toddlers can be served as well as Kindergarten/Primary children, the full range of early childhood ages in laboratory setting for research, it's a rapidly growing area.
Expand the teacher education program into a 5-year program and aid local schools by placing education majors into classrooms & after school programs where they can gain experience and allow the teacher to concentrate on teaching.
It would be great if Marshall like other universities offered communication disorder classes on-line. It seems like Marshall is lagging behind others and may get left behind in this technological age.
Offer competitive, high quality online courses based upon accepted principles of best practice that serve the academic needs of the university, meet service goals, and provide alternative methods for attracting university enrollment of traditional and non-traditional students.
Find unique online markets for MU's strengths. For example online degrees and certifications in Autism, safety technology (mining, etc.), courses for deaf, blind, and visually impaired, college in high school, etc. 
Develop the full potential of the e-learning platform at Marshall and optimize the net revenue generated by this sector of the University. To this end, expand the number of courses, certificate and degree programs available through this medium and expand the student base served by this program.
How do we know that on-line courses are actually being completed by the specified student?  In an era of "identity theft", what stops "academic theft" of our on-line courses?
To assimilate e-learning into our regular curricula and programs, e-courses and online programs have to be handled the same way as other courses. Treating them differently (charging students more & paying faculty per student, etc.) will hinder infusion. 
WebCT Vista allows for the creation of Learning Communities to allow for a core group of freshman to move through courses together and provide an online communication method to discuss issues. We will also be able to target resources based on subject and content matter.
Facilitate student learning through introduction of innovative instructional methodologies and integration of technology into instruction that have a pathway to successful learning outcomes. These could include such things as concept tests and new delivery models including Online, Breeze, PodCasts, White Boards, and Webinars. Create common learning objects that can be shared across the disciplines.
Develop a WebCT Vista course for UNI 101 that would also serve as a student technology resource guide that would provide students with information they need to effectively use technology on the MU campus. This guide would also be developed for faculty and staff.  2 courses have been developed: a UNI101 E-course and UNI101 campus course supplement will be available by Spring for UNI101 faculty orientation.  UNI 101 will be a required course in the Fall 2006. We also need a type on UNI course for HS juniors and seniors to prepare them for college.
Consider alternatives such as night and Internet classes to extensive land acquisition with associated housing removal and city population loss.
A 4 year ABET accredited engineering degree is critical to becoming a top-tier university and critical to the economic development of this state. 
Establish and Engineering School.  an academic engineering course of study is needed in the Huntington area to properly attract high technology business. establish initially as an adjunct to WVU with initial courses at MU and follow-on at WVU.
I recommend M.U. develop and offer a four-year accredited Engineering degree, phasing in electrical, computer sciences, chemical, civil and mechanical degrees over some 7-10 years. The US needs to strengthen tech. education, and WV needs tech. jobs. 
Excellerate efforts to reinstate the 4-year Engineering program and update and/or provide state-of-the-art environments to attract and maintain quality educators and students.
MU needs to re-develop an engineering school with emphasis on mining.  The coal mine companies of WV would surely be receptive to supporting such a "home grown" idea and individuals.
Expand Marshall's pre-engineering program to a full scale School of Engineering, offering all the differing engineering disciplines to students. This is a high money field and one in which MU used to excel. This will increase our undergrad enrollment.
Marshall needs to expand the engineering program. Expanding the engineering program would bring more students in this region interested in engineering to Marshall University. This area is a great place for meeting new people and everyone is friendly.
Marshall needs to have a four year Engineering Degree Program
Move in the direction of 7th. avenue as soon as possible. Too many " eye sores " near such a beautiful campus. Engineering over law school.  Why compete with WVU.  Have seen alot of feedback on Veterinary School interest? 
The English Department could use more upper level under grad course work with more variety of meeting times.  hire more profs? Also, strengthen a linguistics and/or rhetoric strain in the English dept.  thank you
All students should be REQUIRED to take an environmental education course.  I think I'd be safe, in saying that most students  graduate without a real understanding of what our most pressing environmental problems are.
Business and education majors should be required to take foreign languages in order to meet graduation requirements. (  Cabell Co. Spanish Teacher and former part-time instructor of Spanish at MU 90-03 )
Given how much students could gain from a foreign language experience - including the development of the ability to THINK, add foreign language requirements to appropriate Schools, and provide the MDL dept with appropriate funds to support that addition.
Explore addition of a foreign language course (specifically Spanish) for health professionals.
Add more resources to grow the Forensic Science Dept to make us the premier University in DNA education and research. Add a 4 year engineering program with emphasis on a mining engineering degree to grow the states primary economic development resource.
Provide continuing education programs for Laboratory professionals using the Web technology so that healthcare providers do not have to travel for required continuing education.
Formulation of articulation agreements with University of Rio Grand's closing CLS program, allowing students to streamline completion of their CLS education at MU, while providing regional labs potential employees and utilizing MU's MOVC facility.
 5.Lab Courses- The times of the science classes and their corresponding labs need to be restructured.  As it is, there is no way to take a science class w/ a lab and work MWF or TTH schedule.  They need to be held concurrently. 
Continue the SOM's strong commitment to high quality primary care based education but focus its rural health commitment in its award-winning Family Practice program and broaden its post-graduate training to include additional specialty programs.
Every undergraduate student should be information-literate upon graduation.  We need to integrate information-literacy foundation courses more consistently into upper-level undergraduate classes. 
Do more at the presidential level and Board of  Governors to promote one of MU's real gems -- The W. Page Pitt School of Journalism & Mass Communications. I see very little in the TV commercials doing this. JMC is a nationally-accredited program. 
More emphasis on the liberal arts and teaching students to think and problem solve.  Too much is invested in job training  w/out the person having basic thinking skills.   This is the way to create a desirable workforce. 
 “Grow” the certification program for Library Media Specialists (librarians in the K-12) within the College of Education and Human Services - the only library science grad program in WV. Enrollment has grown 53% since 2002-03.  “Grow” public library certification program to fulfill critical workforce development needs among library employees in WV and surrounding states.  Employment of library technicians is expected to increase 10-20 % by 2012.
 
Rio Grande Agreement for first year courses to transfer to Marshall for MLT/CLT program
Offer distance learning for the MT lecture portion of the CLS curriculum for MLT's. This would be at various facilities around the state.  The student would have to attend the lab at MU. There has been a request for this program from Point Pleasant.
We will recruit more music students, and we will prepare them better, more economically and in a shorter period of time if the current music education curriculum were redesigned to be competitive with curricula of other institutions in our service area.
Implement planned SOM residency and fellowship training programs to meet statewide needs in the following fields: Orthopedics, Geriatrics, Interventional Cardiology, Hematology & Oncology, Gastroenterology
From JMC faculty:  encourage good teaching methods, pursue making all classrooms "smart" classrooms, service learning opportunities where appropriate, consider media literacy as a core competency.
12.Class offering-  MU needs to offer more often classes on grant writing, especially since they lack support for undergraduate research ideas.  That way we can at least try to get the necessary funding on our own. 
Establish a program to assist local firms with research and other support that can help them enter markets overseas.
9.Class offerings- MU needs to offer a wider variety of 100 and 200 level science courses.  Currently, it is very difficult to meet the general requirements for the Marshall Plan. 
Offer advanced training and MSW to meet the needs of the state for professional social workers.
Develop summer programming beyond traditional summer school. Increasing activity on campus will bring funds to campus and surrounding area. Dorms and classrooms go unused and could generate revenue. Business model of summer school will need to be reviewed

 
Take existing courses in LMS/CMS to the next level.
i. Audio enable interactions
ii. Implement Turn-it-in integration
iii. Implement BLOGS
iv. Implement RUBRICS
v. Implement Test Score Interface
vi. Implement Student Response System Interface
vii. Implement Grade Submission to Banner
viii. Implement student pictures via Banner and integrated systems
ix. Implement ePortfolio Service
MU should offer undergraduate courses at the MUGC campus. To offer undergraduate courses would result in full utilization of the facility with support staff in place. Opportunity - easy access to a large student population in the Kanawha Valley.
A problem we have is that students do not know how to learn.  Expand the UNI101 courses to 3 hours and add topics directed at helping students learn how to learn.
Update our programs at MU. Students still take shorthand. Retirement incentives will help, & will open lines for faculty with new ideas.
Continue to support Writing center, tutoring, etc. - our students have a lot of potential, but need this level of support.  In adding new and wonderful things, lets not lose sight of what we have in place already :)
Establish and promote a central place where students can go for help with finding funding for research.
Make doing research as easy and attractive as possible This includes providing easy access to offices on weekends or over holidays and turning on elevators and lights so that faculty can continue their research during off hours. 
We need to continue to focus efforts on high paying degrees, especially medicine and biotechnology. Focusing on medicine will keep grads here and build the city at the same time. Will create money that could potentially be donated back to MU from grads.
Repeat submission:  Biotech, nanotech and infotech are not passing fads.  Every state needs to benefit from them and contribute to them.  This is not the time to say "every state teaches mathematics, so let's not be repetitive", these areas are very broad
Bio, nano and info, all states recognize these as the future, Marshall needs to develop clear thrusts in each of these areas.
Economic development will only take place in a climate that encourages planned risk--where entrepreneurial programs and creative summer school options are promoted. Adopting a global perspective is a must, with a heavy focus on international linkages.
Exploring a cooperative arrangement with a community facility for an environmental research center could be beneficial. One prospect would be the Zip Little IWLA facility in Wayne County.
Making MU a cultural/intellectual focus for the area will occur when the University begins to move to a research base. Our current image is that of being a teaching institution.
Not really EconDev, but a "Marshall Green Campus" program could identify energy initiatives with good ROI and short payback, i.e."VendingMisers" to reduce energy costs of soda machines,geothermal heat pumps in new construction,HiEff lighting rplcmts, etc.
I would like MU and medical school to partner with Dr. Thornton Streeter in doing research and training with students.  His website is http://www.biofieldsciences.com/Index.htm We could findout what NIH & NIMH want studied and then use his facility. 
The President congratulated for supporting endowed positions for research.  However, problems with Institute -elitist, no incentive to work with undergrads -how many PI's nationally generate 1 million/yr? =-contract conditions unlikely to attract Pis
Congratulations to Dr. Kopp for supporting research. Institute is not viable as described, leaves out current faculty. Should be compared to similar size institutes (Stowers: 2 billions in endowments, 600,000 sqft). PI's at 1 million/yr unreasonable.
When it comes to studies of local, regional and state economic development, Marshall University is and should be the intellectual "think tank" to produce studies and models that can be put in use.  I believe it is necessary for us to fill this rule.
Identify focused areas for development that grow from current expertise and regional needs. Determine resources needed and provide support for growth. Hire in key areas to develop interdisciplinary teams. Set expectations for funding and outcomes. 
As the focus at Marshall becomes more "research intensive" how will we find adjunct faculty from a limited population base; this is already a problem now?  Will there be a greater use of graduate students to off-set the fewer classes taught by faculty?
Dr. Stephen J. Kopp,  I am a graduate student currently working on my thesis. For future graduate students it would benefit them greatly if the library provided journals online. Having e-journals would allow better access to information.
1. Increase summer research awards to allow a full summer of work (10K or greater) 2. Expand other MU sponsored research grants (mini-grants) 3. Expand data base of grants/mini grants that are available in all disciplines (co-sponsorship) 4. Increase funding for RA/GA/TA to attract a larger population of full-time graduate students who can assist professors carrying loads consisting of teaching and research.
There needs to be clarification of how the transition from Teaching to Research institution will be accomplished. (the following list is not ranked) 1.University wide teaching load reduction (from 12-9 cr.) 2. New faculty hired with research emphasis 3. Moving to a research focus should not include the use of more part-time faculty 4. Research fellows on fixed term appointments who either pursue their own grants or work under grants that have been acquired by MU.
Comprehensive, learner-centered educational programs that are strengthened by breadth and depth in curricula, and appropriate support services, will prepare learners to be innovative and to excel in their future academic and professional pursuits. These would be systematically reviewed by conducting periodic program self-studies that assess learning outcomes and student success. To improve graduation and retention rates, predictive modeling for successful students should be deployed. For those students at risk, we should provide safety-nets including summer programs that bridge the gap between high school and college, common academic themes (reading or experience) for all freshmen and carry UNI 101 forward and include research. 
Continue to make safety of students, staff and faculty a top priority of the institution -  setting specific goals and developing strategies to achieve these goals.  It is imperative to keep safety a high priority for everyone within the university.
Marshall should ask the HEPC to ask the legislature to change the jurisdiction of all campus police officers to full county jurisdiction where the HEPC has property. This would stop questions of authority and allow the schools to help local agencies. 
Midterm grades can play a significant role in increasing retention.  Except for the current practice of D & F letters and selected populations, this information is not presently provided to students.  Midterm grades should be provided to all students.
Implement programs of activities to retain students on campus during weekends. Most students leave campus due to a lack of friends with common interests. Current trends such as physical fitness need to be considered in creating student "clubs". 
Students have no place to gather during their free time (late night) to develop social networks that will aid them in identifying  and developing personal strengths, commitment to each other and their surrounding community.  Give them that place.
To entice students to stay on campus on the weekend, plan one major student activity per month at MSC with free food.  Some institutions provide weekly events, MU could begin with a monthly activity and if successful move towards a weekly activity.
There should be more to do on the weekends. Why not have more activities? At least have local college bands play on the weekends-SOMETHING. Rally students to get into the Guiness Book of World Records. The bars get really old and boring after a while. 
Increase student access to university facilities on evenings, weekends, holidays and summer.  If we don't want to be a suitcase campus stop the building lock-downs.  Leave elevators on and doors open. Some disciplines, such as art, require ongoing work and access to facilities.
Creation of a one-stop area to benefit the students. Brochures/resource materials could be provided re: other areas such as; health serv., career serv., student insurance & tutoring. Computers available to assist students w/accessing online forms and info
Bring in music artists that students like. Take surveys from students to get an idea of the most popular artist and spend money on that artist rather than a few artists that no one will go to. Have to give kids a reason to stay here on weekends. PROMOTE!!
There needs to be better identification of students that are at-risk and appropriate support services developed to encourage the retention and graduation of this population.
Programs should consider whether their courses correctly challenge the students, who are the intellectual capital of the state, or act as though all students are of equal ability.  Are students capable of achieving excellence grouped or clustered ?
To keep students on campus over the weekend, there could be student clubs centered around music, art, etc. Perhaps student surveys could be used to determine interest. Three day weekends - no class on Friday - is a greater challenge.
Develop marketing tools to describe services offered for other departments and students.  An area such as this could assist the student in resolving their concerns and help in achieving their academic goals.
1. "Dead Week" should be called "Study    Week." A more intelligent word to say. 
2. Handicapped ramp should be built from Old Main steps to Smith Hall.
3. 101 Spanish should be taught from  beginning Spanish. 
 Meeting our students' needs. Grow our faculty. A statement of ethics for students, faculty &  staff. Pedagogy over cutting edge technology. A number of universities (Standford, Duke & Purdue) across the country are podcasting some of their courses.
Students' allegiance to MU could be fostered through a new student orientation period during which they meet fellow students (form bonds), learn traditional cheers and songs, and get library and study skills training.  Other schools do this: it helps!
Although some functions should be left to individual colleges, it is important to review all policies and procedures particularly as they relate to students, for consistency across colleges.  If there are differences, why...and can they be eliminated?
i think the school should have a better meal plan for the breakfast other than "scrambled eggs and bacon" every single morning. This will make the likeliness that students signing up for 19 meals plan during next year will be lower. 
eliminate, as much as possible, combined undergrad/graduate classes. This is a disservice to both groups and are too often relied upon to provide nearly all of the coursework of many graduate students, which only hurts them in the long run.
13.Scheduling- Please adjust the schedule so that there are not so many conflicts with the time slots that classes fall within!  Since times can overlap by 10 to 15 minutes, it is almost impossible to get a decent schedule anymore. 
I believe that there should be a December graduation.What university makes their students wait till May to graduate. One graduation takes extremely too long and students dont want to wait till May if they are already finished in Dec. Come on MU...Step Up
WebCT Vista changes seat time and location possibilities.  This has been proven at MUGC with the use of one room for three or four classes sections at the same time slot.  Schedule the same room for section 001 on Monday, section 002 on Wednesday, and section 003 on Friday.  Remainder of time for course is on-line interaction.  
Streamline and standardize (as much as possible) general education (develop a core curriculum), do away with marshall plan (negative impact on transfers) and consider reducing total hours required for graduation from 128 to 120.
Students should not be allowed to take more than 18 credits per semester...period. 
18.Office Hours- MU needs to enforce the policy of office hours.  If a professor says they have office hours at a specific, they should be there. 
Public schools' Spring Break is in April.  MU's is in March.  So any MU student w/ school age kids or anyone w/ school age & MU kids can't enjoy either Spring Break, & MU students w/ school age kids have to pay for child care during their kids' Spring Bre
There should be a centralized support services center that can help non-traditional students negotiate their academic success.  This center should be designed with a strong andragogical philosophy that emphasizes a learner-centered education.
17.Accessibility- All professors should be required to publish their syllabi online. 
Purchase needed equipment for CLS Simulated Laboratory.  This laboratory would be used for the instruction of CLS Students and could be used for animal blood testing for Med School research projects.  This laboratory would be self-sufficient.
We need a university-wide professional development campaign to improve the learning process. A focus on student learning rather than professors lecturing is sorely needed.
Faculty and staff should be encouraged to develop student learning communities across subject areas to facilitate critical thinking. communication, and other life skills. 
Improve the access, retention, success, and graduation rates for all students, especially those from groups traditionally underserved by higher education.
We have to find a way to stop the "student runaround".  We can do this by using interdisciplinary one-stop shops wherever possible on campus (especially during critical times like registration).  
there should be a campus calendar for the entire U.
Discontinue portions of the Marshall University website that have outdated or inaccurate information. Our dept. still has scheduling from last year; this lack of maintenance serves to confuse the public and portrays a very poor image of our institution.
Marshall needs to continue to improve the quality and accuracy of their webpages. There is a lot of out-of-date  or incomplete information on them. It is unclear who the primary audience is for our public webpages (students, prospects, alumni, community)
If Marshall wants to improve its image, web sites that work would help.  I am considering applying for a job at Marshall, but seeking information is difficulty when links throughout the university's web don't work (including ones on this site)
New Faculty Groups: I think that we should create more opportunities for faculty to work in interdisciplinary groups.  While certainly we all serve on committees that are interdisciplinary, the committee structure does not provide an environment where faculty can collaborate on grant proposals or solve common instructional problems.  
Faculty numbers: provide adequate FTE positions to reflect enrollment numbers, and support offering elective courses, research release time, and less need for temporary part-time faculty and full-time faculty overloads
New Program: offer Parish Nursing program as course and as continuing education for community nurses
require documented community volunteer service of all undergraduate students to broaden their learning
Student Tutoring specific workshops on APA format, writing skills, test-taking skills
school of nursing skills lab - provide up-to-date equipment which would provide realistic practice before intereacing with actual patients
 COHP building : identify building to house all COHP programs to facilitate multidisciplinary interactions/research/courses
consider adding new programs (Law, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Doctoral program in Nursing
Public Art Policy: To ensure that Marshall’s physical campus grows wisely, like esteemed public institutions nationwide, Marshall should consider adopting a percent-for-art acquisition and stewardship policy to beautify the campus, stimulate divergent thinking, preserve cultural assets, and cultivate donors. 
Program Assessment: As we know, program assessment is vital to the success of any planning process.  We don't have buy in on assessment at Marshall.  We have got to develop a comprehensive strategy for getting faculty and programs on board with this.  That is difficult at best with heavy teaching loads, growing expectations for research and creative activity, and demands for service. While I believe...
Personal Thoughts on Management Education: The business school as a professional program might be well advised to focus on training students to be successful in business.  With the focus on success in business our efforts might well be directed to initial placement and other success factors.  Initial placement and therefore good, initial on-the-job training would be facilitated by having a strong internship program.  Other success...
Tell me why I should be alarmed by our retention rates: 1. We have a truly unique socio-economic student body - how can we compare our rates with other institutions? 2. I know of many examples of students that try college, and decide that they'd rather do something else (eg work in a big city) for a few years, and then return.  They (many are 1st generation students) see the work they...
Student retention :You are right about better advising.  We start to improve on that by making advising mandatory through graduation for all students.Surveys of graduating Marshall students suggest those students in colleges with mandatory advising are the most satisfied with advising.  No one should be surprised by that.  
Student retention: Improved advising is very important.  I agree that it should be mandatory.
New professional programs: I've been reading the off-campus postings, and many suggest new professional programs (eg Pharm, Vet, Law, Engr).I'd like to see some more on-campus responses. Also, a few decades ago, didn't we have an Engr program die? If so, why?
New professional programs I've also seen many of these comments, and would be excited to have these new programs at MU.  However, wouldn't we just be slicing the same pie into smaller and smaller pieces? New programs?  Yes, but only if funds are available to avoid killing what we do well now.
 
Role of Engineering and Applied Sciences for Economic/Energy Development: The state of West Virginia needs a BIG LEAP forward to satisfy the needs of the new energy age.  Energy from coal has experienced an economic 'breakpoing' and Marshall University is in a unique position to take advantage. The key components are: COAL (Extraction, conversion) + WATER + HUMAN Resources. MU is in the process of adding 'capability' building-blocks.' ...
College of Education and Human Service's Role in the new MU Vision: If the economy of West Virginia is to grow in the 21st Century, public school educational opportunities for the children and families of WV need to be the number one priority.  For decades Marshall University has held a prominent role in pre-service and professional development for educators.  Marshall University is strategically positioned because of technology initiatives to provide leadership...
College of Education and Human Service's Role in the new MU Vision: From a student's perspective, it seems MU neglects the COEHS. With some of the worst facilities on campus including a building that: floods regularly, features overcrowded basement classrooms where students struggle to find a seat or table space, and has rooms with some of the worst wheelchair accessibility on campus. Additionally, the school increasingly fails to attract and retain quality faculty...
College of Education and Human Service's Role in the new MU Vision: The COEHS should partner with other MU departments/institutes/colleges and colleges throughout the region in conducting and publishing multidisciplinary research (economic, geospatial, sociological, pyschological, etc.) aimed at strengthening rural schools and helping the communities they serve to thrive.
Doctorate in Management Practice in Nurse Anesthesia: GSM, LCOB has initiated the development of the Doctorate in Management Practice in Nurse Anesthesia.  When implemented, this program will be perhaps the only one of its kind in the nation, hence providing us a niche in the growing field of nurse anesthesia.  I strongly support the development of this program and would encourage the MU administration to support it as well because this will...
Although I applaud the ideal, the MITR as outlined in the strategic vision may be too ambitious for MU at this time.  Perhaps MU (and the state) could glean some insight from the Delaware Biotechnology Institute (DBI) (www.dbi.udel.edu).  The DBI has successfully integrated funding from the state, NIH (INBRE), and NSF (EPSCoR).  All funding sources presently here on campus. ...
Examining what has been successful elsewhere may help us make good decisions here.  BSC will support efforts to gather more information if that is determined to be valuable for the planning process. 
The Art and Science of Communication in the 21st Century: As Marshall develops the "commerce of ideas" we need to be attentive to how those ideas and subsequent spin offs (products, technologies, etc.) will be shared beyond the university.  Moreover, as we prepare students to move into careers, we should pay careful attention to their abilities as communicators.  As we develop the next generation of scientists, we should also be developing...
The Art and Science of Communication in the 21st Century: Great idea. Don't forget to include the Department of Communication Studies in the mix.  I love the idea of a round building where there are no corners in which to get stuck.
The Art and Science of Communication in the 21st Century: In his book, A Whole Mind, Daniel Pink interprets the ensuing paradigm−the conceptual age−and notes that new high-concept and high-touch skills (e.g., design, story, symphony, empathy, play and meaning) will reign.  If Mr. Pink is right, and I believe he is, then to remain competitive Marshall needs to eschew traditional academic alignments and approaches. Like a colleague once observed,...
Doctorate in Management Practice for Nurse Anesthesia: Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists have rapidly moved from the role of "team member" to independent practice.  With this transition the demand for an educational experience/credential to match this position within the health care industry is increasing at a rapid rate.  Marshall has the opportunity to develop a flagship program at the doctorate level for anesthestists, satisfy...
Doctorate in Management Practice for Nurse Anesthesia: I strongly support this idea.  Marshall University (and before that the Graduate College) has had an active program in conjunction with the Charleston Area Medical Center in this field for over 15 years.  The program is well known, growing, and should be supported in the future.
A collaborative and caring community: I agree with posts about students seeking the path of least resistance in pursuit of thier immediate goals. It's also apparent to me that we don't have a real sense of community amoung our students.  We're no different that most IHEs that have herterogenoeus populations, but I firmly believe that we can instill in our students a better sense that they belong to a community...
A collaborative and caring community: And let's expand our student organizations to include the students on the South Charleston campus!  Huntington and South Charleston operate independently from each other.  Rarely have I encountered a student from either campus who took any coursework whatsoever from the other campus.  There are issues pertinent to the campuses individually, and so to the students.  I find that students...
We might consider eliminating the metro fee for students living in the surrounding area.  Ohio University is making great in roads in this area especially with their new center being built in Proctorville.  We are loosing students.
Instructor Class Non-Tenure Faculty Designation: Not sure where to plug this in so SharePoint admin, feel free to move my thread. If you know me, you already know I am still stuck on the idea we should consider modeling OU and other institutions that have an “instructor class” of teaching faculty who possess an MA in field. We have a cadre of talent in the valley we can no longer employ due to 3-6 year caps on temporary employment. Some of...
Instructor Class Non-Tenure Faculty Designation:I agree about developing an instructor class of non-tenured faculty at Marshall.  In the English Department, for example, we employ many gifted teachers at this level who would appreciate the opportunity to continue working here for more than a few years, and I know that both my colleagues and my students value these individuals' expertise and enthusiasm.
I had an interesting conversation with a group of students about “social capital” on the Marshall campus recently.  The gist of this conversation was that very few students (at least according to my sample) seem to care what happens to Marshall. They want their degree and they want out.  More alarming, possibly, is that this seems to be the default position of many faculty members as well...
Yes, and Yes! Students, in my experiences here, for the most part don't care particularly about Marshall, in large part because they feel abused, sometimes in concrete ways - lack of advising and information, getting passed from office to office without their problem(s) being solved, professors who won't respond to their requests for help, and so forth - and sometimes by what they percieve...
You are completely on target about the lack of openess and trust.  And it doesn't just apply to faculty vs. students, or staff vs faculty, etc.  It affects departments within the same division, and it also manifests in staff vs staff conflict as well.  I have worked here for 20 years, and I believe the level of trust and cooperation university-wide has decreased steadily from years ago. ...
I think a series of fora, or dare I say town meetings, would be an important step in the right direction, and I would hope that faculty would take it seriously enough to get involved. I too find the limited time for suggestions troubling, but it's not nearly as troubling as the fact that so few are interested in participating. It seems that for many here, dissatisfaction with the process...
Give us students a real opportunity to be involved in the strategic planning process. Introducing this initiative near the end of the semester when we're heavily engaged in other activities demonstrates the university's disinterest in gaining any meaningful input from us.It is so hard for Marshall to believe its students are genuinely interested in improving the quality of their education and the...
Student/University Culture: At the risk of repeating myself, and with no intention of diverting the excellent discussion my initial post started, let me re-paste here the paragraph I find so disturbing/enlightening/provocative/scary: Ultimately, higher education's success requires students to take more responsibility for their own learning. The more students are engaged in the intellectual work of thinking and learning,...
Student/University Culture: I have to qualify these remarks by saying I'm rather new to Marshall, and I'm not sure if that means I have a unique perspective or unrealistic expectations (not that the two are mutually exclusive). I think the suggestion of rethinking general education is an important place to start: I hear students regularly complain about the Marshall Plan, and whether or not these complaints are justified seems...
Some students seek a degree, not an education. I don't have an answer for that but I am sure not all students are the same. I wonder if we could market and increase the awareness of the Honors Designation. This would be somewhat like...
These are excellent suggestions!  I too am fairly new to MArshall, and while I find the students very receptive to what I offer in the classroom, they need to be taught to think beyond "get a grade" type thinking.  They came into my class expecting to be "taught"- defined in their minds as "teacher says, I write or I do", versus active learning.
new program proposal: Given the fact that Forensic Science is a booming academic discipline and that MU has one of the few accredited FSC programs in the country, we should investigate the resources needed that would allow us to accelerate to the doctoral level in this field.
 new program proposal I Like the idea and want to add little bit more to it. MU should start doctoral program in several disciplines especially Biology, physical sciences and Chemistry. As they have all the resources and facilities available. One more thing, as i am graduate of MS Technology Management program, i think there is need to change the name of this program or atleast call it MBA - Tech Management. As in job...
new program proposal  Biology students with an interest in biomedical and related sciences have the possibility to pursue the PhD through the BMS program at the medical school.  I would like to see this program grow and strengthen before expanding potentially competing graduate programs in BSC. I am, however, very supportive of an interdisciplinary PhD program in environmental/aquatic/watershed resource...
 Infusing critical thinking in all that we do. If we accept the notion that critical thinking is the "operating system" of the mind, what are some ideas for how to effectively inspire, develop and advance critical thinking in our students? How will we determine that our educational processes actually improve the critical thinking of our students?
 Infusing critical thinking in all that we do. Based on the definitions provided on the website and in general, critical thinking means different things to different people. That vagueness about the definition creates a problem in itself. One of the definitions provided on critical thinking is : In a nutshell,  critical thinking is self-directed, self discilplined, self-corrective, and self-monitored thinking. 
Infusing critical thinking in all that we doTo inspire our students to think critically, faculty members also have to be so inspired, and that is a difficult task at Marshall.  I agree that fostering critical thinking is a necessary part of building intellectual capital, and I have little doubt that this is an important part of Marshall’s mission. However, cultivating these skills in students requires faculty members who feel that their...
 Infusing critical thinking in all that we do I most certainly agree with previous observations and commentary.  It is important consider that "faculty inspiration" will be absent unless faculty are permitted to flourish within the academy.  This doesn't mean working entirely to meet the demands of the institution. I would find difficulty with infusing substantive critical thinking in the current Marshall...
 
Infusing critical thinking in all that we do.I think we must make a commitment to incorporate "critical thinking" skills into every course syllabus.  Too many times, I have taken classes that simply required me to regurgitate the facts and ideas presented in the lectures or textbooks.  Those are classes I found to be "easy."  (They were also quite reminiscent of high school!)  The classes I remember, and...
Infusing critical thinking in all that we do. Our Senior Capstone Experience is one way we can be assessing our success in the teaching of critical thinking skills. Other posts have referred to ETS Assessments that are attempting to measure critical thinking skills.  I have posted two Chronicle articles referring to the SUNY system assessments and a recent announcement by ETS of a new instrument called "Measure of Academic Proficiency...

 
Infusing critical thinking in all that we do. I have just recently had people tell me it's no use to suggest any sort of collaborative efforts with K-12, as they will not be accepted!  I don't know if that's true or not, but I do know that I see on a daily basis (via the writing and oral skills of students - or more to the point, the lack thereof) students who are completely and totally unprepared for college-level work.  And yet somehow...

 
Infusing critical thinking in all that we do. Critical thinking requires skeptical comparison of new information to a broad and deep body of knowledge. To get students thinking critically, we must emphasize skeptical examination of information.  We have to get away from the standard lecturer/listener format that only reinforces the habit of accepting data without examining it.  The second part of the equation is...
When the topic of a university’s community is discussed, it generally brings thoughts of the geographic location in which the university is located. While there is little question of the contributions Marshall University provides to the Huntington area, and to lesser extents the other communities in which it has regional campuses, I believe that it is vital that we expand this definition of community....
I would second what have been said in regard to this matter. We must work to increase our visibility in the state and region. The GSEP's mission of providing graduate level education to an adult population of  educators is vital to our future growth. The potential impact that faculty and the University as a whole can (and in many cases does) have in our local communities is great. 
In the past, I have not been encouraged to participate in community service unless it is directly related to my field of expertise (I don't see Habitat for Humanity or Kiwanis Intl needing any help with Commutative Algebras any time soon).Still, I do the sevice, for more important reasons, and I think Marshall benefits from it.We have to be careful not to further the ivory tower stereotype.
I would really like to see Marshall get a pharmacy program in the near future; with the creation of a new Biotechnical Building, it only seems appropriate that Marshall should be able to create new majors and new opportunities for students, as well as entice more tri-state students to attend for both undergraduate and Pharm.D programs.
I would really like to see Marshall develop a few more of its graduate programs.  Currently, I am a psychology major.  If I want to get my graduate degree from Marshall I have to travel clear to Charleston.  Not only that but the only grad degree offered is in clinical psychology.  It would be great to see Marshall up its programs by bringing in new staff expecially with the new...
While economics is very important to Marshall, I feel we should stand out from the crowd and give the students a break for a change, perhaps, consider not charging the students for parking.  We have to pay so much for everything why not have at least one break for students. 
Hi all - I hope we can discuss the importance of information and computer literacy for students of today. The current levels of preparedness are very low-- thanks to SAILs (the library’s info lit assessment survey) we know that our students are coming to us w/ failing info lit skills. It is critical that we infuse info/computer literacy training into our freshman/sophomore curriculum and be sure that...
I agree.  I also believe that students' reliance on technology has significantly changed the way they interact socially.  This may have bearing on the way students explore and deal with diversity.  Along with developing their information processing skills, we should focus on ways to encourage appropriate social networking and interaction while providing exposure to a diversity of...
I agree that information and computer skills are necessary to help our students be successful. I was surprised by a student in one of my graduate classes who told me that she had never learned to use PowerPoint. I wonder if we could have a capstone activity or class that requires the use or demonstration of ability to use technology....
I want to agree with previous comments and expand on them a bit.  Our SAILS (Standardized Assessment of Information Literacy Skills) survey -- part of a nationwide assessment project managed by the Association of Research Libraries -- allowed us to measure preparedness of MU students with regard to information-seeking skills relative to students in some 100 other institutions...
Student Learning: Buried deep within one of these strategic planning web sites (http://www.marshall.edu/president/strategic/intellectualm.asp) is the following paragraph, a footnote: Ultimately, higher education's success requires students to take more responsibility for their own learning. The more students are engaged in the intellectual work of thinking and learning, the more they learn and retain. This...
Student Learning:  I couldn't agree more!  No Child Left Behind drives everything in K-12 education, and the results of attempting to make "adequate yearly progress" under NCLB seem to be contrary to the very idea of teaching students to "think."  In an effort to meet NCLB guidelines, schools are "teaching to the test" and, in fact, encouraging students to memorize the data that...
 
Student Learning: I tend to agree here, but must confess to being surprised by how embedded in this culture Marshall seems to be: granted I am new to the Marshall "community," but it already takes more that one hand to count the number of students I've  heard refer to the University as "just a big high school," Cabell-Midland II," or "a glorified community college." ...
Student Learning: Yep,  I hoped I was clear that there is more than enough blame to go around - and many faculty are more than happy to accede to student's interests in easy classes, as few outside assignments as possible and so forth.  The pressures to do so come from other places as well - increased retention can easily come from making it easier to pass classes; the use of student evaluations for faculty...
Student Learning: I appreciate what the rest are saying about the seduction of making classes "easy" by requiring less outside work and easy exams but I think there may be another way to improve our students' ability to think critically without making a class "hard." Many experiential activities require integration, manipulation of the information, and application in a very real way. Experiential...
Student Learning: I couldn’t agree more, and in a perfect world you would teach classes in which you provide students with this experiential learning, while at the same time energizing your own intellectual life (I’m told this actually happens). But this becomes quite difficult in an environment where the choice between putting your energy into teaching or research becomes a zero-sum game.  In the end, it...
Student Learning: You make an excellent point  and I am surprised that Marshall asks both of everyone. At other institutions I have seen some faculty who were "teaching faculty" with little or no research requirements, and other faculty who are what we called "research faculty" with little or no teaching load. This allowed people to focus energy where they were most interested....
Student Learning: I'm sure the perception is that students would come out on the losing end if we allow faculty to emphasize research over teaching (and maybe that would be the case).  I can only give my own perspective here: I think that research and teaching can inform and energize each other, and I think I would be a much better teacher if I actually had time to get to the research agenda that has, thus...
Student Learning:  The idea of experiential learning also suggests a consideration of expanding experience via an integration of ideas. I ponder how higher ed can model team teaching and collaboration, which we support as appropriate to enhancing more complexity of thought.
Student Learning:  The relationship between faculty and student is symbiotic.  The relationship is perhaps better thought of as a partnership than a mere customer/providor relationship.  I have posted two articles from the Chronicle to the Documents Area that I thought might be interesting to this discussion.  One is a relatively recent article, "What does...
It is my belief that a truly productive process would be begin with the formation of a well-informed group assigned to determine and implement the prudent and exact actions to be taken to achieve the goals pre-determined by the group. They could also assist in the selection of the most feasible of the suggestions received from the public. There is no doubt that the plans and actions of such an informed group would be of infinite value. Proposal: The Group: Consists of two factions reporting to the President. Academic: Each member chosen for his/her full knowledge of, and lengthy experience in academia, teaching ... plus an awareness of definite actions required to improve the quality and growth of Marshall's academic programs. MU faculty has many members that would qualify ... but in the past they have been held at arms-length or ignored. Financial: Each member chosen for his/her full knowledge of, expertise and lengthy experience in the past and present financial operations of the university. Some presently in MU financial departments would qualify and there are many financial professionals in the area willing to consult and advise. Each faction meets weekly and reports to the President in a joint meeting every two weeks for full reports and discussion. The point made here is that the plans and specific actions required to benefit the university can best be determined by a consensus of fully-informed minds.
I would like to add, in case no one has mentioned this as a suggestion/idea, that a reassessment of the situation of adjunct faculty really needs to be put on the list.  Right now, there do not seem to be good mechanisms for including adjuncts in the larger faculty (they don't have Faculty Senate representation, for instance, nor do they attend departmental meetings necessarily).  They also are not regularly given any office space (at least in our division, which contains many adjunct faculty).  I'd love to see the fair remuneration of adjunct faculty, and their treatment with respect and the perqs given to "regular" faculty, added to the list of important elements of the university community that need to be addressed.
The library workers need enforce the "quiet zone".  I do not go to Drinko anymore to study because there is no point.  It is almost as loud as the Student Center.  Either make the library workers more aggressive, or make Drinko a second student Center.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Geospatial Technology should be a Signature Initiative.  GIS is beginning to be used to help manage MU assets and data.  GIS should be integrated more into curriculum and research.  Can lead community in technology
Increase support for the Artist Series by funding operating costs and leading the effort to restore the Keith Albee. Arts adds to the economic vitality of the city and increases the diversity of options for students. MU is singularly able lead this effort
Under water quality CMU is listed as a research partner along with a number of other univeristies. Does that indicate a relathionship with Carnegie Mellon Univ. or Central Mich Univ.?  As there is a great difference between the two it would be nice to kno
All sound like worthwhile venture but I would like to see the university focus on strategic advantages when deciding where to allocate resources.  No doubt that the university can be an economic engine for the region but only through focused efforts.
I know that the online and TV courses are an effective way of reaching more students, but I personally dislike the interaction in these classes.  Several of my classes have had technical difficulties which impede my learning and decrease class time.
Fundraising goals are wonderful and essential but until the univ. begins to add value to the alumni population it will be held back. That is done through a strong alumni relations office but an event stronger and centralized advancement operation.
As an employee of the Artists Series, the Keith Albee and the continued support of the Artists Series is very important to the community.  MU is a major employer of the area.  The quality of life that the Aritsts Series has provided should continue.
online learning can generate great resources for the univ but it should not be done with academic standards as the casualty.  MU should continue to increase the quality of students and the academic rigor of programs. 
HADCO is glad to see MU focus on the development of an entrepreneurial research culture which will in turn develop intellectual property with commercial potential in the area of technology, especially biotechnology. Marshall University's top priority - the creation of the MU Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (MIIR), and we are happy to see that its name includes the word "Interdisciplinary". Your emphasis on creating thousands of new high wage jobs is consistent with the mission of HADCO. HADCO is deeply involved in the development of the technology constellation at Kinetic Park and is planning the construction of the Park's first technology building - the Velocity Center. Part of the Velocity Center will be a business incubator to foster the development of small technology companies which employ area citizens, many of whom will be MU students and graduates, in jobs requiring a highly educated workforce. We hope that Marshall is successful in implementing MllR and we offer HADCOJs support. 
MllR envisions research professors generating technology based intellectual property with commercial potential. We hope that MU will introduce its researchers to entrepreneurial training. These professors will benefit from the business incubator as they commercialize their ideas. HADCO can assist MU and College of Business in marketing the technology based intellectual property and HADCO can assist in steering venture capital and other funding into MllR projects that create new jobs. HADCO will also continue to promote the research at the MU by coordinating activities with the WV Biotech Alliance. MU is an economic engine in our area and we believe MU must recognize its role as the keystone for economic development in the region. HADCO was a leader in the planning of Kinetic Park, Velocity Center and the biotech business incubator with MU in mind. MU needs to embrace Kinetic Park as its asset, to establish a significant presence there, to be involved with the biotech business incubator as a provider of services to its tenants and to help define the charter and mission of Kinetic Park to fit the research and training needs of MU. 
Both the Chamber and MU have resources that the other lacks and should become partners. The Chamber sees 4 areas of partnership opportunity: 1. On legislative issues, MU and the Chamber can be powerful partners. MU's support of business issues that the Chamber is championing increases the influence we can have on legislators. Adding the business community's voice can bolster lobbying efforts by MU on higher ed issues. MU and the Chamber should coordinate lobbying efforts to ensure we are speaking with "one voice" from the community. 2. The Chamber's "Work-Based Learning" initiative works with area high school students to provide job shadowing and career fair experiences under a contract between the Chamber and the Cabell County School Board. MU and the Chamber should explore the possibility of expanding this program to include job shadowing and internships with area businesses. The Chamber has dozens of businesses that allow job shadowing, and many of these business contacts could also have internship opportunities. The Teacher Summer Institute that trains area high school teachers and counselors in what businesses need from new employees could be expanded to include college level instructors.
3. MU cannot survive successfully without the help and support of the City of Huntington and the business community, and the City and business community will not prosper without MU. It benefits MU and the Chamber to collaborate on issues that can draw the community and MU closer together. Among those issues are the development of the Fourth Avenue corridor and Pullman Square, area transportation and parking.We see the Chamber doing such things as welcoming students back to the community and school, having area businesses offer student discounts, encouraging clean-up of blighted areas around the downtown and campus, and joining in co-sponsored events that bring students and faculty into the community and likewise bring business people to MU. 4. MU is a tremendous resource for training in the community. The Chamber tries to offer or coordinate training for small businesses in a variety of subjects and MU is a great resource for those types of programs. The business community has at its disposal experts in many fields that have actual work experience, which MU could call on to provide students "real world" training and information. A coordinated effort to offer training to the business community and for the business community to provide "real world" educational experiences to students should be explored and developed.
Start a law school. Currently the state only has 1, WVU. This gives WVU advantages in raising funds from high-salary alums and power in the legislature. MU could build in Charl. near the grad school. Law Sch.'s are usually $$-makers for their school also.
The Huntington Internal Medicine Building on 20th street is for sale. Could the university buy