by Julie Lineback
University of West Georgia President Kyle Marrero delivered his first State of the University address in a series of town halls on January 22-23. During the sessions, he highlighted multiple topics including the strategic plan, a faculty/staff salary plan and a new initiative to expand employee engagement. The latter includes the “Engage West” survey.
UWG will ask for 1.4 million recurring additional dollars for 15 additional faculty positions along with an assistant director of financial aid compliance, Dr. Marrero said. This amount would also fund a quality enhancement plan to improve undergraduate student writing.
“I see liberal arts education as the ground floor for all of what develops a young person in whatever they may do,” he says, adding that UWG will be a leader in liberal arts and humanities.
Another talking point from Dr. Marrero focused on a faculty and staff salary plan. While the FY15 budget allows for a 1% salary increase for all state employees, he says the faculty senate budget committee has committed to a multi-year phased plan, of which $6 million of recurring dollars will be needed.
He went on to discuss “Engage West,” an initiative focused on increasing employee engagement and institutional success that was inspired by his mentor and founder of the Studer Group, Quint Studer, who spoke at UWG last October. The first phase will be a survey that will provide insight into current conditions and which policies and procedures need to be revised.
“The intent of this survey is not to change who we are,” he explains. “It will help us understand and ultimately push us toward the direction for our future. We are taking our goals and building for a better and brighter future.”
For more information about the survey, which is open until February 14, read the FAQ.
