2008 Woodie Awards
ISU Pres. Vailas outlines summer activities, fall plans
Ryan S. Hunter
Issue date: 9/19/07 Section: News
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"How we portray our image has an impact," said Vailas. "It is an unquantifiable, but important aspect of growth. We worked a lot on… trying to up our out of state enrollment and diversify our campus. We want to have a better mix of undergraduate versus graduate students, as well."
According to Vailas, the early high school program, directed by Academic Vice President Robert Wharton, and the enrollment task force, directed by new Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management Steven R. Neiheisel, have done "a tremendous job" in aiding in this focused recruitment effort.
In line with the major theme so far in Vailas' administration of student participation, he called on the student body of ISU to also help with the recruitment and image efforts.
"I am asking the students to really engage further in promoting ISU and helping in recruitment," said Vailas.
Another addition to the ISU administration that is intended to further increase its accountability and transparency is the new Vice President of Finance and Administration Jim Fletcher. While part of the position - VP of Finance, formerly filled by Ken Prolo - is not a new addition, the responsibility of and the man tasked with overseeing administrative efficiency are.
"He's the new secret president," joked Vailas of Fletcher's new responsibility. "Part of his portfolio has to do with the effectiveness of organizational structure, and creating administrative policies and structures that people can use. Also, he revises inefficient organizations, and now demands business plans from them telling what money will be spent for what and why."
This new change of demanding both transparency and accountability in budget usage will undoubtedly be met with stiff opposition from some department chairs. According to Vailas, he expects those used to leaving the worries of "where will we get the money to fund this" up to the president and his staff to oppose this new system, regardless of its benefits.
"I've divested this whole upper administration from money, and given it to the operating units to tell me what they want to do with their money," said Vailas. "If you don't know how to put money with your ideas, then what are you doin' in leadership? If the students can do that, making cuts to their own budget, then faculty can do that, too."
Vailas mentioned that the level of empowerment that he has given to students - more than any university he's known - in controlling their own budget and having a say in finalizing the entire institutional budget is extremely uncommon, but something he feels passionately about, nonetheless.
"Another president would think I've got to be nuts to do that, but I don't think that's true," said Vailas. "What's a student today really, but an adult? I've always felt that way through my whole career; now I've just got a chance to do something about it."
According to Vailas, the early high school program, directed by Academic Vice President Robert Wharton, and the enrollment task force, directed by new Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management Steven R. Neiheisel, have done "a tremendous job" in aiding in this focused recruitment effort.
In line with the major theme so far in Vailas' administration of student participation, he called on the student body of ISU to also help with the recruitment and image efforts.
"I am asking the students to really engage further in promoting ISU and helping in recruitment," said Vailas.
Another addition to the ISU administration that is intended to further increase its accountability and transparency is the new Vice President of Finance and Administration Jim Fletcher. While part of the position - VP of Finance, formerly filled by Ken Prolo - is not a new addition, the responsibility of and the man tasked with overseeing administrative efficiency are.
"He's the new secret president," joked Vailas of Fletcher's new responsibility. "Part of his portfolio has to do with the effectiveness of organizational structure, and creating administrative policies and structures that people can use. Also, he revises inefficient organizations, and now demands business plans from them telling what money will be spent for what and why."
This new change of demanding both transparency and accountability in budget usage will undoubtedly be met with stiff opposition from some department chairs. According to Vailas, he expects those used to leaving the worries of "where will we get the money to fund this" up to the president and his staff to oppose this new system, regardless of its benefits.
"I've divested this whole upper administration from money, and given it to the operating units to tell me what they want to do with their money," said Vailas. "If you don't know how to put money with your ideas, then what are you doin' in leadership? If the students can do that, making cuts to their own budget, then faculty can do that, too."
Vailas mentioned that the level of empowerment that he has given to students - more than any university he's known - in controlling their own budget and having a say in finalizing the entire institutional budget is extremely uncommon, but something he feels passionately about, nonetheless.
"Another president would think I've got to be nuts to do that, but I don't think that's true," said Vailas. "What's a student today really, but an adult? I've always felt that way through my whole career; now I've just got a chance to do something about it."
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