When leaves swirl in cone-shape patterns you know fall is here. No way can you keep your lawn clean of fallen leaves. The mall is losing its color in the autumn sun, but it was a good run. The campus looked fabulous these past five months.  I want to personally thank our facilities personnel who did a wonderful job in maintaining the lawns and flower beds since May.  Kudos all around! (You might want to drop them a note!)  Some updates of interest:
 
ACCREDITATION:
As you know, in March, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools will visit Creighton for the purpose of reaccrediting the University.  Prof. Christine Wiseman and her team have done a masterful job in responding to the five standards of the HLC and in updating progress to date from the last visit ten years ago. The five standards are available at http://www2.creighton.edu/accreditation/.  Over the next weeks “town hall meetings” will be held for faculty, staff and students. Your attendance and input are encouraged and highly desired.  We are all in this together.  Accreditation has an impact on the entire University.
 
CONSTRUCTION:  
The major projects for fall break were completed:

*  Rigge Plaza has a new surface and a new configuration, complete with a planting bed in the center of its new oval shape.

* The fountain plaza in front of St. John’s Church has new pavers and benches.

*  The “Dancer with Flowers” sculpture has been installed between the Humanities building and the Hitchcock building.

*  The stonework on the exterior of St. John’s Church is progressing nicely.  Over 1,400 new stones are being set as the infrastructure is being reinforced.  (The new benches, by the way, have become the home of the sidewalk superintendents.)   The new heating system is up and running.  The air conditioning is a work in progress, but, then, we will not need it for six months.

*  The Living Learning Center building is in the ground.  More details about the specific configuration and occupancy of the building will be forthcoming.
 
DEDICATION:
We had a very successful and enjoyable dedication of Opus Hall on October 30th.  Karen and Mark Rauenhorst, both Creighton graduates of 1975, were present.  Mark is the President and CEO of Opus Corporation in Minnetonka and the principal benefactor of Opus Hall. Mark is also a member of the Creighton University Board of Directors.  We owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Rich Rossi and the Residence Life division as well as Marketing and Public Relations for organizing a fitting dedication for our newest residential town homes.  We are reshaping the north downtown area.

THE “WILLING TO LEAD” CAMPAIGN:
The campaign is making progress. The $350 million goal is the largest ever attempted by the University.  I am confident we will make the goal before December of 2008.  As mentioned earlier, the campaign will be launched for faculty and staff in late spring. 
 
Endowment and program support are of great importance in this campaign.  I am happy to announce the inauguration of the following:

*  The Fr. Henry W. Casper, S.J. Endowed Professorship in History.  Dr. John C. Calvert is the inaugural professor. This is a gift of Eileen and Wayne Ryan.

*  The Sheila and James J. Shea Family Endowed Chair in Anesthesiology was inaugurated on September 14th.   Dr. James L. Manion is the first holder of the Shea Chair.

*  The Dr. Edward J. “Eddie” and Neta DeRose Endowed Chair in Dentistry will be inaugurated on November 29th.  Dr. James H. Howard will be the first holder of the DeRose Chair.

*  The DCI - J. Dan Egan, M.D. Endowed Professorship in Nephrology will be inaugurated on November 20th.   Dr. Dan Egan will occupy the nephrology professorship.
 
There are several other endowed chairs and professorships in the offing. In fact, the spring semester will be very busy with inaugural events. This bodes well for the endowment!
 
WINTER GRADUATION:
Mid-year graduation is scheduled for December 16th.  As of today, we will be honoring two of Omaha’s venerable institutions with the Presidential Medallion.  The Joslyn Art Museum is celebrating its 75th anniversary, and we are honoring the museum for its contribution to the quality of life in our community.  At the same time, Mount Michael Benedictine Abbey and School is commemorating 50 years of Benedictine presence in the Omaha area.  Creighton will honor them for their contribution to the education of youth and to enriching our community with the spirit of St. Benedict.  Also, the University alumnus/na of the year award will be presented at the December commencement.  Similar to past years, the ceremony will be in the Kiewit Fitness and Convocation Center.
 
ADMISSIONS:
While it is very early in the recruiting of the undergraduate fall class of 2007, Mary Chase and her team are keeping busy.  As of November 1st, applications are up 398 over last year at the same date.  While it is too early to suggest a clear trend, it is interesting to note that campus visits are up 4.2% and attendance for our October open house was 36% greater than in 2005.  As the cycle continues, it will become clearer as to the actual size of the application increase.
  
ATHLETICS:
The NCAA takes reform of Division I athletics very seriously.  To date, the new academic reporting requirement on progress toward graduation is in its third year.  Creighton, as you know, does very well in this aspect of our athletic programs.  We top the Missouri Valley Conference in academic performance and are in the top 15 Division I institutions for our student-athlete graduation rate.
 
Recently the NCAA announced the second phase of institutional accountability, namely finances.  In a report, the Second-Century Imperatives: Presidential Leadership and Institutional Accountability, the task force calls on college leaders to “take reform home” by focusing on financial self-regulation and “the full integration of athletics with the rest of the university.” There are a number of recommendations in this comprehensive analysis in addition to those that deal with fiscal responsibility, most notably regarding student-athlete academic progress and well-being.  As mentioned above, Creighton does this very well, thanks to Athletic Director Bruce Rasmussen and his coaching and support staff. I believe this report represents a clear roadmap for continued reform in intercollegiate athletics.
 
It is Creighton’s intent, of course, to adhere to these new recommendations.  Experiences of some institutions suggest the importance of financial accountability not only in athletics, but across the University and its many parts.

Congratulations to the men’s soccer team for winning the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and securing their 15th consecutive national tournament bid.   Go Jays!
  
I am sure I will be in touch with you before the Thanksgiving holiday, nevertheless, may your national day of gratitude be rich and fulfilling (but not too filling!).
 
As always, you and yours remain in my prayers.

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President