Free Press photo by John Cross
Minnesota State University President Richard Davenport gave his annual convocation address Monday at Bresnan Arena. The future of the university, he said, depends largely on the success of "very aggressive recruitment strategies," including a second off-campus location in the metropolitan area, three-year degree programs, expanded online offerings and more focus on non-traditional students.
While extolling the accomplishments of the past year, Minnesota State Mankato President Richard Davenport also unveiled his vision for a leaner, more collaborative and increasingly competitive institution during his annual convocation address Monday.
Davenport said he won't be able to solve current budget problems with tuition increases, but will make reductions in non-instructional areas. He also urged university leaders to build on prior successes in the areas of graduate research, technology and alumni relations.
Davenport said future enrollment figures will be largely dependent on Minnesota State Mankato's ability to satisfy non-traditional and off-campus students.
And he wants to improve online delivery methods and continue expanding online offerings.
Additionally, he said the university will consider a second off-campus location in the metropolitan area, similar to the one established in 2008 in Edina (officially named 7700 France, after the facility's address).
He lauded the track record in attracting students of diversity — referencing the university's 8.7 percent ethnic population and 600-plus population of international students — and cited demographic figures that illustrate ethnic populations on campus will increase exponentially faster than their white counterpart over the coming years.
He said Minnesota State Mankato needs to "step up" efforts to recruit international students, and must develop a comprehensive plan to address enrollment shifts.
He said the university will begin exploring three-year degree models and begin using the six-year graduation rate as a performance measure. Currently, Davenport said the six-year rate is 51 percent — which is better than some, he said, but not good enough.
On the budget issue, Davenport said Minnesota State Mankato faces "one of the most trying times" in its history and needs to adjust to the "new normal" that will be created in the wake of the economic crisis.
Last year, he said, Minnesota State Mankato was cited as a "model of transparency" for involving the entire faculty and staff in the review process for budget reductions. This year will follow the same approach, but cuts will be made instead to non-instructional areas.
Davenport said the university will need to continue seeking new funding sources. In fiscal year 2010, he said, Minnesota State Mankato will benefit from $15.2 million in grants and contracts — an increase of well over 100 percent from the previous fiscal year.
"We cannot rely on stable resources from the state," he said.
Davenport also called for more partnerships between university departments and continued commitments to the university's five priorities of strategic improvement: integrate global solutions across campus; think and act like a doctoral institution; embody excellence in all efforts; expand online learning; and create the campus of the future through technology and instruction.
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