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New semester brings new additions, opportunities to Boise State
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Welcome to the 2001 fall semester. While summers always seem to go by much too quickly, we look forward to the coming academic year at Boise State University. During the summer we have worked hard to improve our services and enhance your campus facilities. Our goal, as always, is to provide an environment where students can have successful learning and social experiences.
As you pursue your academic goals, I encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities that are inherent in Boise State’s location. We are fortunate to be part of a growing, progressive university that is located in one of the most dynamic regions of the country. The educational opportunities available in our metropolitan setting are unsurpassed.
For example, Boise State is noted for the variety of internships it provides students. Regardless of your major, you can craft an internship that meets your educational needs and provides you with valuable “real world” experience.
Likewise, the city provides students with ample opportunities for volunteer service. The growth of our Volunteer Services Board and Service Learning programs are evidence of increasing student interest in assisting the non-profit and social service organizations that serve our region.
I also encourage you to get involved in campus life. As with the city, there are numerous opportunities on campus for you to develop your leadership and social skills outside the classroom. As you would with your hometown, do your part to improve the Boise State community by participating in campus activities.
I would like to take this opportunity to bring you up to date on a number of improvements that may be of interest.
* General academic advising services are now being offered in the Student Union. The “Student Stop” will be located in the previous Wellness Stop near the main entrance to the Union. Advisers will staff the office from 9
a.m. -1 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can obtain individual advising as well as information about graduation requirements, degree programs, online
courses or core classes.
* I am very pleased to report that we have made outstanding progress in processing financial aid. We have processed 2,000 more financial aid applications than we had at this time a year ago. This is a major step forward for our financial aid program because it means more timely award notification for students.
* Many of you have expressed a desire for additional online courses. By September, approximately 90 faculty will be working in teams to develop online versions of 30 core courses. The first 8-10 courses should be online for the spring 2002 semester. Core courses in English, geology, biology, math, sociology, anthropology, music, philosophy, political science and Spanish will be among the first released.
* We have improved the campus lighting system by installing 13 new and more powerful lighting fixtures in the south and east portions of the Bronco Stadium parking lot. Ten new fixtures were installed between Morrison, Driscoll and Chaffee residence halls and the Student Union. The locations were selected based on information we received from students.
* You’ve no doubt noticed some construction “hot spots” on campus. Here is a summary of the work in progress.
Most of the exterior work is complete on the new Student Recreation Center. When open later this year, the center will be a true campus highlight and a testament to the students who have supported it over the years.
Construction began earlier this month on the Appleton Outdoor Tennis Complex behind the Pavilion. The project should be complete by early winter. In addition to serving as a competitive venue for our tennis teams, the six new courts will also be open to students for classes and recreational use. We thank alumnus and Micron chief executive Steve Appleton, who donated $1.75 million toward the project.
Construction will soon be complete on Phase 2 of the Greenbelt improvements along the river. When combined with last year’s project near the Friendship Bridge, our campus now has a vastly improved riverside path where students can walk, cycle or rollerblade.
The first academic building on the Boise State West campus near Nampa and a second parking deck adjacent to the first deck on the Boise campus are now in the planning stages. The additional deck will add approximately 525 spaces. Construction on both of those projects is expected to begin by next summer.
* Finally, I want to mention the university’s entrance into the Western Athletic Conference. This is a major step for Boise State, one that puts us in the company of some excellent universities. As the addition of Oregon State and Brigham Young to our home football schedule indicates, you will be seeing a higher caliber of competition in the future.
In closing, I wish to thank the Arbiter for making this space available to the university on a weekly basis. We will use it inform students about topical issues, important dates, future plans, new programs and other matters that may arise during the year. Your suggestions of other topics we might cover are most welcome.
Again, welcome to the fall 2001 semester at Boise State. We are pleased you are attending Boise State, and wish you a successful fall semester.
Charles P. Ruch, President, Boise State University
