2008 Woodie Awards
Vailas responds to student questions at ISU-IF forum
Storee Swanson
Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: News
ISU underwent a change of university presidents this academic year, which is a process that can be very positive, but also very costly for a university. The new ISU President, Arthur C. Vailas, Ph.D., for example, is still becoming familiar with ISU, its policies, and its future goals. On March 28, Vailas visited the ISU-Idaho Falls campus to address questions in a student forum.
Idaho Falls Associated Students of ISU (ASISU) Vice President Noah House commented positively on the turnout of interested students.
"There were a lot of students, and they had very good questions," said House.
There were so many students who had questions, in fact, that Vailas stayed an extra half hour to address as many as possible.
Before answering questions, Vailas outlined some of the things ISU is currently working on. He mentioned the "positive political landscape" ISU is enjoying, alluding to the money that ISU has received for numerous proposals. Many of the items proposed that were expected to get nothing received generous amounts, and roughly 75 percent of the overall requests received some funding.
Vailas further mentioned that it has been a very good year for scholarship funding. Also, for the first time in ISU history, the university is investing in marketing as well as a serious budget analysis. Vailas even promised a comprehensive marketing report for the ISU-IF campus. He also noted that a permanent location for an ISU distance learning campus is being pursued for the Treasure Valley to increase effectiveness for ISU students in that area.
This project is reflective of one of Vailas's main focuses, which he stated was, "To build an integrative process to achieve educational goals."
Vailas centered many of his responses to student questions on this idea of an integrated educational process, which many students seemed a bit hostile towards.
"It is easy to think Pocatello is robbing Idaho Falls, or Boise is robbing Pocatello, etc., but there are no second-class citizens in any case," said Vailas. "We must all share our resources, because if Pocatello weakens, everyone else will weaken."
Idaho Falls Associated Students of ISU (ASISU) Vice President Noah House commented positively on the turnout of interested students.
"There were a lot of students, and they had very good questions," said House.
There were so many students who had questions, in fact, that Vailas stayed an extra half hour to address as many as possible.
Before answering questions, Vailas outlined some of the things ISU is currently working on. He mentioned the "positive political landscape" ISU is enjoying, alluding to the money that ISU has received for numerous proposals. Many of the items proposed that were expected to get nothing received generous amounts, and roughly 75 percent of the overall requests received some funding.
Vailas further mentioned that it has been a very good year for scholarship funding. Also, for the first time in ISU history, the university is investing in marketing as well as a serious budget analysis. Vailas even promised a comprehensive marketing report for the ISU-IF campus. He also noted that a permanent location for an ISU distance learning campus is being pursued for the Treasure Valley to increase effectiveness for ISU students in that area.
This project is reflective of one of Vailas's main focuses, which he stated was, "To build an integrative process to achieve educational goals."
Vailas centered many of his responses to student questions on this idea of an integrated educational process, which many students seemed a bit hostile towards.
"It is easy to think Pocatello is robbing Idaho Falls, or Boise is robbing Pocatello, etc., but there are no second-class citizens in any case," said Vailas. "We must all share our resources, because if Pocatello weakens, everyone else will weaken."
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