October 24, 2007

It is hard to believe that fall break has come and gone and that our beautiful fall landscaping will soon succumb to the spell of winter. The University has been a very busy place these last weeks. Here are some highlights and information that will help all of you tell the Creighton story in the broader Omaha community.

Official Accreditation Status with the Higher Learning Commission
As previously announced, we have received a formal response from The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools concerning the results of our reaccreditation visit in March 2007.  Documents can be viewed at the following website:  http://www2.creighton.edu/accreditation/2006-2007hlcfinalreports/index.php.  Here is the very good news:

Year for Next Comprehensive Visit:  2016 – 2017
Reports Required:  None
Other Visits Scheduled:  None

I must remind you, however, that Creighton’s continued involvement (over a four-year period) in the Higher Learning Commission’s Assessment Academy is essential for us to keep this excellent status with the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Because of your work and involvement in Creighton’s Jesuit and Catholic mission – to provide an excellent education for all our students and to role-model for them to be men and women for others – Creighton has received this very positive rating.

It takes the cooperation and hard work of the entire Creighton community to receive such a fine report from The Higher Learning Commission.  The results could not have been better!  Thank you.

Community Relations Website
Key to the success of our favorable rating with the Higher Learning Commission was the data collected to answer Criterion Five:  Engagement and Service.  The data can be found on Creighton’s Community Relations website:  www.creighton.edu/communityrelations.  Please use the data in planning service and outreach programs for the future.

CU’s Facilities/Landscaping Department Receives Award
UNL Extension Master Gardeners of Douglas/Sarpy County awarded Creighton University’s Facilities/Landscaping Department with the “Recognition of Community Beautification” certificate.  The Master Gardeners recognized the outstanding plantings and ongoing hard work and maintenance of the gardens on campus by the employees in the Facilities/Landscaping Department.  I think all of us enjoy the gardens and appreciate the efforts of our colleagues in keeping the “bloom” on the Creighton campus.  Kudos all around!  

Tobacco-Free Campus
At my request, Dr. Syed Mohiuddin, Chair of Internal Medicine in the School of Medicine, is chairing a strategy workgroup to address the myriad issues associated with the implementation of a tobacco-free policy at Creighton University.  Dr. Mohiuddin oversaw the implementation of a successful tobacco-free pilot at the Cardiac Center.  Working with Dr. Mohiuddin on the workgroup are representatives from multiple areas, including Human Resources, the Wellness Council, Creighton Student Union, Facilities Management and the Staff Advisory Council.  The President’s Cabinet will receive regular updates on the progress of the workgroup and will review and approve the proposal before implementation.  The target date for policy implementation is 7/1/08.  This is an extremely important issue for the Creighton community, and I encourage you to provide suggestions and comments to the workgroup to assist them in their deliberations. 

BlueLine
I want to encourage all faculty to explore and begin using Creighton’s new learning management system that will eventually replace Blackboard. The new system, called “BlueLine,” has numerous features and enhancements that you will find helpful in supporting the teaching and learning process.  For more information, please go to: http://www2.creighton.edu/doit/blueline/ 

Emergency Situations
The ability to communicate in an emergency or crisis situation is important for any college or university campus. To assist us in our communication efforts, Creighton University is offering a new emergency broadcast system (EBS) using cell phone text messaging.  At the same time, the University is looking at additional enhancements.  Already, we have over 3,000 students, faculty and staff registered, but we need to try and get everyone registered!  Once you are registered, the EBS will send out a brief text message that will inform you about any emergency or crisis situation. Again, I encourage all members of the campus community to subscribe to this service.   To receive EBS communications, you must register your text-capable phone device.  Please go to: https://www2.creighton.edu/ebs/  

Strategic Planning Days
In anticipation of re-engaging strategic planning, after the two-year hiatus due to the HLC Self-Study, the President’s Cabinet has had monthly meetings focused on key issues that will influence the next phase of planning. Specifically, we have discussed the optimum size of the institution at both the undergraduate and professional/graduate levels, the resources and facilities (if any) needed to address this growth, the status of graduate and on-line education, and a thorough review of needs within the health science schools and colleges. Planning will commence in January with an expanded participation to include deans and selected directors.  Dr. Tom Purcell will spearhead the planning efforts.

Best Places to Work
Stay tuned for an update on the “Best Places to Work” survey results and follow-up activities.  A separate communication on this important topic will be coming in the next few days.

Construction
Most of you have seen the highly successful renovation of St. John’s Church.  It rightly stands at the heart of the University – physically and spiritually. 

Progress on the Harper Center is evident as the mass of red brick continues to climb the walls of the facility. It continues to be on schedule for an August 2008 opening.

The eastward expansion of the Mall, between 20th Street and Morrison Stadium, is near completion. A gateway/arch, water feature, landscaping and a bit more cement work is all that is needed. This should all be finished by mid-November.

The work on the façade of Creighton Hall (aka Administration Building) is progressing. While anticipating having this completed before the snow falls, the weather will be the determining factor.

The Wareham Building (aka O’Keefe) is in the final months of its renovation.  The soon-to-be tenants include Creighton Medical Associates Patient Services (CMAPS) and the University Relations division, including Alumni Relations, Development, and Marketing and Public Relations.  The move will take place in the early part of the new year.  I think the renovation has added a distinctive elegance to the building. 

Finally, last week we broke ground for the Ryan Athletics Center and D.J. Sokol Arena north of Morrison Stadium at Florence Boulevard and Webster Street. This facility, primarily for women’s athletics, will complement the needs of intramurals, speaker venues, future mid-year graduations, and selected community events. Completion is anticipated for winter 2008-09.

While there is much more to comment upon, this should do it for now. I wanted this Update to get to you before I depart campus for a two-week trip with Creighton alums to India. In the meantime, enjoy our great late fall weather!

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President