Now that Paul Bunyan has returned to the Minnesota woods, I can concentrate on the University. The chill in the air is a definite indication that the season is about to change.

On Monday, you received an update on the University’s Strategic Plan (see below). Your input is very important, so I encourage you to have a look and have a say about the process.

You also may have noticed that the Cuming-Burt Streets project is near completion. I think it has been very successful in easing the east-west flow of traffic around the campus. There will be construction in that area for several years yet as the state completes work on the roads and bridges in that area.

At the same time, construction to renovate the intersection of Wareham Parkway will begin Saturday, Oct. 15. The week-long project will improve traffic flow from the Parkway onto the recently established two-way Burt Street and eliminate previous problems with cross traffic from the service drive north of the Hixson-Lied Science Building.

At the same time, there is some real progress on the parking structures. They are pouring some serious cement and closing in several of the levels.

There are, undoubtedly, some challenges on the parking scene. We are trying to keep the inconvenience to a minimum. Having said that, I want to thank you for your patience and cooperation with the parking situation. I was very gratified by the response of the Creighton Students Union, Faculty Council, and the Staff Advisory Council to earlier parking issues. We are halfway there! So let’s make it work.

Good news from the Grants Administration Office for fiscal year 2004-05:

• 11% increase in grants submitted for external funding.
• 18% increase in awards made, which yielded a 30% increase in dollars awarded.
• Received in excess of $42 million dollars in external grants.

Congratulations to all involved. Let’s make next year even better!

Finally, as we all face escalating costs for fuel oil and natural gas-be you at home or at Creighton-we must take steps to conserve energy this winter. In the near future I will share with you some very practical ways in which we, as the Creighton community, will be asked to keep our energy expenditure to a minimum. No one will freeze, but I suggest you keep a sweater in your office or room. More on this later!

For those of you who get a fall break, enjoy!

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President