As we prepare for the end of the academic semester there are a few things I want to share with you.

On November 26th, Con Dietz announced his decision to retire next summer. Con has served as Vice President for Information Technology since 1997. During that time he has addressed some challenging situations including the implementation of the Process Improvement Initiative. We all owe Con a note of appreciation for a job well done. The search committee has been formed with Jim Bothmer, Director of the Health Sciences Library Learning Resource Center, serving as Chair.

There are two upcoming information sessions I want to alert the University community about.

After the holiday break, there will be a discussion on the status of our financial enhancement plan process. The discussion will be open to all Creighton faculty, staff and administrators and will cover the efforts under way to address operating budget challenges as well as provide additional financial information on the University. The discussion, conducted by Dan Burkey, Vice President for Administration and Finance, will be held in the middle of January. Information about where and exactly when the session will be held will be communicated following the holiday break.

The second information session will focus "on the progress to date" of the University's Campus Master Plan. The Board of Directors had a preliminary discussion at their December 2nd meeting. The time and date is to be determined. It will probably be in early February.

As you may know, the University is the recipient of a nearly $2 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to help prepare a new generation of leaders for church and society. "Cardoner at Creighton University - A Theological Exploration of Vocation," will greatly enhance our efforts in University Ministry, retreat programs, service-learning and justice related areas. Fr. Bert Thelen, S.J., and his committee are to be congratulated.

The Nebraska State Committee of Selection for the Rhodes Scholarships met December 4th to determine the state's candidates to the Regional Selection Committee. I am pleased to announce that Matthew Vesely has been selected as one of the two nominations for Nebraska. Matt is a Biology - Theology double major at Creighton.

Finally, the Integrated Science Building is very close to its construction schedule. Move in will begin December 16th. The building should be fully functional by the beginning of the second semester.

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President