Elon University - NewCentury@Elon

Elon University Staff
Discussion Summary – Nov. 9, 2005
"On Arriving, Deepening and Sustaining: Key Questions about Elon University's Future"

Elon staff session Question #1: "If you visit Elon in 2020, what values and attributes of today's Elon would you want to have been preserved? Also, what would you hope to find in 2020 that is not at Elon today?

Staff members attending this forum want to preserve Elon's values of community and collaboration, as well as the warm, welcoming environment. They highly value the university's heritage and traditions, the beautiful, pedestrian-friendly campus and outstanding facilities, and the culture that values innovation and change. Finally, staff members mentioned the importance of preserving the student-centered mission of the university, with small classes and an emphasis on excellent teaching.

Looking ahead to 2020, staff members would like to see Elon create a "new definition of quality in American higher education." They look for a larger endowment, more connected alumni, greater student diversity, more competitive athletics programs and stronger connections with the local community.

Question #2: We have had great success with our Elon Experiences: study abroad, leadership, service learning, undergraduate research and internships. What would you recommend as the next level of quality in this area? Should we add another experience (what would it be?) or are there ways we should deepen the existing experiences?

Elon staff session This group of staff members would like to see more opportunities for students and alumni to interact, perhaps through virtual mentoring connections in which they discuss careers and exchange information about internships and jobs. They suggested combining internships with study abroad courses and also developing relationships with sister international universities. They also suggested creating an experience that has to do with philanthropy and giving to the university and society in general. Other suggested experiences were one with an environmental emphasis, one that has an ethical/spiritual dimension, and one that gives students practical life skills or experience in a trade.

Question #3: A premier program of international education and top-rated pre-medical and pre-law programs have been suggested as prime foci for "deepening." What other examples can you suggest and defend?

Staff members at this forum suggested greater emphasis on the Center for Environmental Studies, including setting aside a portion of university-owned land for long term eco-studies. They also suggested a social services center that could promote human services or criminal justice/forensics studies. The staff members said Elon should put greater emphasis on honor societies. They also said there should be more emphasis on the responsibility to support the university, and that efforts should be made to promote the identity and cohesiveness of each entering class.

Elon staff session Question #4: On the budget valves: how concerned should we be about enrollment growth? How much elasticity is there in our cost? How do we find the right price point?

These staff members thought Elon could raise its annual cost by several thousand dollars, and tie the increase to the university's efforts to enhance quality. They said Elon needs additional revenue to avoid continued major growth in enrollment. At the same time, they worried that higher costs may make it harder to maintain diversity in the student body.

Question #5: Elon plans to build new housing and dining facilities in order to further develop the residential character of the campus by issuing additional debt or other alternative financing. Other capital projects include the Academic Village Rotunda Building and a 1,500 seat auditorium, all of which must be fund raised. How would you advise the president about balancing facilities needs and endowment needs as we build the case for the next campaign?

These staff members said the next campaign's priority must be on building the endowment. They said the university needs to launch a campaign that says "look at what we've done with so little – think of what we could do with more resources." They said gifts to the endowment must be celebrated and made more visible.