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09/29/2009 -- Message to the University Community from UND President Robert Kelley, Monday, Sept. 28, 2009
I met today with the leadership of
the Staff Senate, the UND Foundation and Alumni Association, as well as
my vice presidents, and I have communicated with the leadership of the
University Senate and Student Senate. We talked about Homecoming
this week and about how this is a time to celebrate the achievements of
the University in our core mission of teaching, research, and service.
As I told the Grand Forks and East Grand Forks Chamber
earlier this month, we have much of which to be proud. We
have globally-respected faculty, dedicated staff, and hard-working,
intelligent students. We are developing innovative academic programs
to complement an already comprehensive list of majors and minors. We
are conducting world-class research in areas that matter to people.
And we are finding ways of providing service that meet the real needs
of the citizens of our state, region, and nation.
In short, we have a lot to celebrate.
I also talked about the ongoing conversations regarding UND's Fighting Sioux name and logo. As it stands now, the State Board of Higher Education
met May 14 and passed a resolution that directs the University to start
the process of changing the nickname and logo, unless the two name sake
tribes each pass resolutions that support the University keeping the
nickname for at least 30 years. On Thursday, Oct. 1, the State
Board will hold a 9:30 a.m. teleconference to consider extending the
deadline.
This morning I told the group that we must continue
to keep our eyes on the ball: the University's core mission. It is
important not to lose sight of what is important in the long run for
the education of our students and for working toward even greater
quality for our many programs.
As we go forward, I want to
emphasize that we -- the University community -- will continue to focus
on the University's core mission. We will do this in an environment
that lines up with the University's core values. These include the
right and the freedom to express one's views in a civil manner and to
express and respect honest differences of opinion, also in a safe and
civil environment. I want to make it clear, and to assure all of you,
that the University will continue to concentrate on its core mission of
teaching and learning, scholarship, and service as we move into the
future.
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