From President Gamble to all faculty, staff and ASMSU leadership

As we turn the corner on a new semester, I thought it appropriate to give you a quick update on some of the recent happenings on campus.

VISION DOCUMENT

Our University Planning, Budget and Analysis Committee (UPBAC) has been actively working with a vision document that was created with the leadership of Jim Rimpau, Executive Director of University Planning and Analysis. This document describes what Montana State University will look like in five years, considering our current successes. It is divided into the categories of: student body, faculty and staff, curriculum, research, partnerships and financial and physical infrastructure. For each of these areas, the document presents a description of the university in 2009.

We are asking for input from across the campus, as this can not be a document decided by a few but must be one which truly represents the thinking of the entire university community.

The vision document has been posted on the MSU Web site as a means of soliciting input. In addition, UPBAC is hosting an open forum next Monday, January 26th, at 2:00 in SUB Ballroom B. At this forum the document will be summarized and the committee will be asking for comment from the audience. Please take advantage of this opportunity to review the plan in its draft form and provide your input either at the forum or via email to Jim Rimpau before the document is finalized. The richness and quality of this plan will depend on the extent to which our campus becomes involved in its development.

STUDENT ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS

Our ASMSU officers, President Scott McCarthy and Vice President Jonathan Hopkins, have done an excellent job of leading efforts to enhance student facilities. In early April, the student body will have an opportunity to vote on the SUB renovation, black box and fitness center. I encourage all students to become informed of the issues and participate in the decision-making process.

INTEGRATED MARKETING PLANS

This past fall, we took the first steps in developing an integrated marketing plan, to better coordinate our communication efforts and strengthen the identity of Montana State University. A consultant conducted a review of current communications activities, the resources being invested in those activities and how effective those efforts have been. Thanks to all of you who submitted information for this review. The analysis and recommendations were presented to the University's Executive Council and several of the recommendations have already been implemented.

The first is a reorganization within Communications Services, which will position this unit to better serve the campus and coordinate our communication efforts. Renamed the Office of Communications and Public Affairs, it will be comprised of four departments reporting into Cathy Conover. The MSU News Service, headed by Annette Trinity-Stevens, will handle research, agriculture, extension, and general university news. Suzi Taylor will direct all publications and graphics work, and Moss Hartt will focus on developing a consistent graphic look across all university Web sites. Julie Kipfer will serve as our brand manager, with responsibilities for marketing/promotional activities and use of our logo on commercial products and university publications.

In addition, we are proceeding with a set of activities which will include defining our strengths and values as an institution, and how we differentiate ourselves from other universities. This will be a campus-wide effort facilitated by a consultant, and I encourage everyone to participate, as the more input we have, the richer will be the data with which the consultant will be working.

Because we recognize the importance of coordinated communications activities, I am asking all departments to work with the staff in Communications and Public Affairs as you plan publications, news items and Web sites (existing or new.) This will ensure that we are moving in the direction of a more consistent and coordinated image for the university. After the brand development phase is completed this spring, we will begin the creative work of developing a new graphic identity for all printed materials and Web sites. In the meantime, we have graphic standards in place which apply to the use of logos, and the design of letterhead and other materials; I am asking all departments to adhere to these standards, which are available at: http://www2.montana.edu/policy/graphics_identification/.

There are significant potential benefits for departments and the university as a whole, and I am excited about the impact our current efforts will have on the image and recognition of MSU. The support you give this transition will be critical to our overall success, and I thank you in advance for your involvement.

RESEARCH ACTIVITY

I would also like to recognize the accomplishments of two researchers, Mark Jutila, Veterinary Molecular Biology and Gwen Jacobs, Department Head of Cell Biology and Neuroscience. Mark has been awarded a $10.5 million contract with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). His work is focused on finding agents that can strengthen the human immune system. Gwen received a $9.89 million NIH grant to develop a high-speed telecommunications network for biomedical researchers in Montana and six other states. This network will provide researchers and educators access to a wealth of resources routinely available to scientists in other parts of the country.

These two individuals are representative of the quality faculty we have at MSU and the national attention that our research program is attracting. It is with great pride that I recognize these two significant accomplishments, as they do much to enhance our overall reputation as a growing research university.

May you all have a successful start to this new academic semester. As always, I sincerely appreciate the efforts you all are making to realize the full potential of this wonderful university.