FOUNDERS WEEK
As Founders Week 2003 comes to an end, I want to thank you for your participation in the many events that marked our campus celebration of those who came before us, focused us and missioned us in education and health care.

We began the week with the sad news of the death of Lt. Col. Michael Anderson (MS'90) in the tragedy of the Columbia shuttle explosion. We responded with an outpouring of grief and prayer. The University established a scholarship in his name for future physics students. At the same time, the University offered his two young children the opportunity to attend Creighton, should they choose, tuition-free. Other appropriate memorials are under consideration.

In the course of the week, select members of the Creighton community – faculty, staff and students – were honored by various groups, all of them honoring women and men who contribute to the Creighton mission and live out the values of this University. Congratulations to each of them.

CONVOCATION IN THE MEDIA
Tuesday, at the Founders Week Convocation, I had the opportunity to share with you the state of the University -— which is strong!

I encourage you to read/reread those comments. The talk is on the website: Convocation 2003.

Unfortunately the coverage of that event in the local press was somewhat inaccurately reported, as was a companion article on Creighton's financial situation. I write the following to set the record straight.

For starters: The 02-03 budget is balanced and the 03-04 budget is balanced. There is no deficit! Compensation increases of a 4% merit pool, plus additional enhancements for faculty and staff are budgeted. Health care and tuition remission are preserved.

The Omaha World-Herald stated: "The Jesuit school must come up with about $10 million in a combination of spending reductions and additional revenue for next school year. That's about 6.5 percent of the University operating budget."

The reality: We have requested plans be developed equal to a 7% budget improvement -– the actual amount we are looking to get is $7 million in net improvement, which is about 5%. The original request for 7% was made to allow room to select among alternatives to identify the least harmful effects on mission and academic integrity. We have achieved that goal. And we did it at a considerably lower number than reported. You should know that!

The Omaha World-Herald stated: "The causes of Creighton's budget problems are similar to those ... and other public campuses nationally."

The reality: The causes are essentially the same as those affecting higher education in general and many similar to other private institutions, not to those of public institutions. We are not dependent on the state legislature for any significant part of our revenue.

The Omaha World-Herald stated: "Burkey said cuts could delay work on a soccer stadium under construction…"

The reality: Dan stated the budget cuts would not affect the student housing or soccer project. The operating budget reductions have nothing to do with capital projects. The soccer project would be affected only if fund-raising efforts for the project are hampered by extended economic/market turndown.The paper published a "correction" of this statement in Thursday's edition.

I mention these corrections because the focus and the intention of my Convocation address was to set a positive and upbeat note about our future. Of course we are feeling a budget squeeze. As I cited in my address: "Yes, the challenges are serious and demand our attention and your cooperation. We have an opportunity to lay the financial foundation for the Creighton of the next decades. Everyone can play a part: Think creatively, work collaboratively, and look for ways to make new ideas succeed rather than reasons why they cannot!"

SCIENCE EDUCATION BUILDING OPEN HOUSE
Thursday's Open House for the new Science Education Building was a great success. Droves of your colleagues passed through the new atrium. The comments have been quite positive.

VICE PRESIDENT FOR HEALTH SCIENCES SEARCH COMMITTEE
The search committee for the Dean of the School of Medicine and Vice President for Health Sciences has been formed. The membership includes:

• W. Patrick Kelsey, D.D.S., Chair, School of Dentistry
• Brenda Bergman-Evans, Ph.D., School of Nursing
• Kevin M. Cawley, M.D., Alumnus
• Mary E. Walton Conti, M.D., Board Member
• Alekha K. Dash, Ph.D., School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
• Dennis Esterbrooks, M.D., School of Medicine
• Philip P. Gustafson, Creighton University Medical Center
• Patricia A. Helke, M.D., Alumnus
• Sara Huegli, Student
• Roderick Nairn, Ph.D., School of Medicine
• Robert R. Recker, M.D., School of Medicine
• Robert A. Reed, Board Member
• Peter M. Townley, M.D., School of Medicine
• Daniel R. Wilson, M.D., Ph.D., School of Medicine
• Christine M. Wiseman, J.D., Academic Affairs
• John A. Yee, Ph.D., School of Medicine

NEW UNION PACIFIC CHAIR
Finally, I am pleased to announce that the Union Pacific Railroad Foundation has gifted the University with an endowed chair in the College of Business. The specific area is yet to be finalized.

Have a good week!

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President