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Dear Colleagues,
As the fall semester comes to a close, there are several updates I want to share so that you’re aware of some key activities and decisions that impact the campus community.
News from Student Affairs
I shared previously that I was considering a change of the divisional name from Student Success & Engagement back to Student Affairs. After consultation with those within the division, the leadership team and others, I have decided to return to Student Affairs, a name that better reflects the divisional portfolio and is broad enough to encompass the wide variety of critical student development and support functions that are housed within the division.
I’m also excited to announce a major step forward for campus life. In November, A&M-San Antonio students voted to adopt a student union fee. The fee proposal will be considered by the Board of Regents in February 2024 and, if approved, the fee will be adopted in fall 2024. I applaud our students and especially the Student Government Association for their foresight and their willingness to take on this cost now for the benefit of future students.
University Police Department Update
After a distinguished 32-year career, University Police Chief Ronald Davidson will retire on January 31, 2024. I’m very grateful for his service and the 11 years he has spent ensuring the safety of the A&M-San Antonio community, and wish him well as he embarks on a well-earned retirement. I’m pleased to announce that Assistant Chief Roger Stearns has agreed to serve as the interim chief of police as we undertake a national search to permanently fill the position. Please join me in thanking both Chief Davidson and Assistant Chief Stearns for their service.
News from University Relations & Advancement
As you know, Dr. Jesse Pisors will leave us in early January to assume the presidency of Pasco Hernando State College in Florida. The search for our next vice president is underway and I anticipate that it will wrap up late in the spring semester, with Dr. Pisors’ successor joining us sometime in summer 2024. I have asked my chief of staff, Jessica Loudermilk, to serve as interim vice president for university relations & advancement. As an experienced and long-standing member of the senior leadership team, she will provide both guidance and continuity during this period of transition.
The leadership transition for the division has also created the opportunity to implement an organizational change that I believe will serve the University well as we look to the future. I have decided to split the division so that University Advancement stands alone. The incoming vice president will have a sole focus on leading University Advancement, which will greatly benefit our fundraising and development activities.
Along with her duties as interim vice president, I have asked Jessica to lead an effort to recommend a new organizational home for University Marketing & Communications that can best support the important work of internal and external communications and the branding and promotion of the
University in our community and beyond. The department will remain under Jessica’s leadership until a new organizational home is identified.
Parking Updates
The Lot 3 shuttle has continued to see high levels of ridership. As of last week, there had been nearly 5,000 riders with an average of over 300 riders per day. Given the popularity of the shuttle pilot, we will continue the Lot 3 shuttle through the spring semester.
Additional parking improvements are planned for 2024-25. In the coming months, we will begin construction of two new parking lots, a 200-space resident lot adjacent to the residence halls and a 205-space lot on the east side of the Business & Library Hall. Barring any significant delays, these lots will be open for fall 2024.
Shuttle services and new parking lots are positive developments for the campus but neither comes without a cost. In order to run the shuttle pilot and catch up on meeting capacity needs for the parking lots to alleviate widespread frustration, we have used reserve funds to cover all expenses. However, that approach is not sustainable for the long term. We, like all public universities, are tightly restricted in how we can fund parking investments and operations. Rates for parking permits of all types at A&M-San Antonio have remained far lower than at other institutions. I have asked the Parking & Transportation Services team to recommend a schedule of rate increases to begin in 2024-25. This is a necessary step to help us meet our current and future parking needs for both students and employees.
Enhancing Campus Emergency Response Capabilities
One of my initial priorities in the fall semester was to evaluate campus emergency response capabilities and training programs. The President’s Cabinet and other campus leaders have engaged in an emergency management training facilitated by the Texas Department of Emergency Management and a table-top exercise facilitated by the University Police Department. That same group will participate in a situational exercise/emergency simulation in early January. I have also asked UPD to conduct safety reviews of various campus offices and refresher trainings with University departments to ensure that we are well prepared to respond effectively and protect ourselves and others in the event of an emergency.
Senate Bill 17 Compliance Preparation
On January 1, 2024, Senate Bill 17 (SB17) goes into effect. The Texas A&M System has provided comprehensive guidance about the content of the bill and over the past several months, the University has conducted the appropriate reviews and taken steps to ensure our compliance. In connection with SB17, we were required to discontinue the Office of Equity & Inclusive Excellence. Unlike other System universities, we did not have a permanently budgeted position attached to the Office. We have consulted with the Office of General Counsel regarding any questions about permissibility of programs and activities under SB17 and I’m confident that we are in a good place to demonstrate our compliance starting in January. The System Compliance team will conduct a review of each university’s SB17-readiness in anticipation of compulsory state audits.
I am very appreciative of the excellent and exhaustive work of Compliance Officer John Wickline, who has been our campus lead on preparations and the primary liaison with the System on this effort.
Listening Sessions
I have now completed 55 internal listening sessions, through which I have developed a sense of the challenges, needs, and priorities that will require our collective attention next semester and beyond. Early in the spring semester, I will share the themes that emerged from the listening sessions with the senior leadership team, governance groups, and others to begin a conversation about how to prioritize action steps.
Of course, my emphasis on listening and learning doesn’t end here. Effective leaders do not work alone and they do not have all of the good ideas themselves. My commitment is to continue to listen to and learn from you all and from our students in the spirit of continual improvement and in service of fulfilling the important mission of A&M-San Antonio.
It was incredibly touching and gratifying to participate in my first Texas A&M University-San Antonio commencement ceremonies on Tuesday. Approximately 874 graduates walked the stage at the Freeman Coliseum—that’s 874 individuals whose lives have been changed by their time at this university, and in whose lives you all have made a meaningful difference through your work. Thank you for all you’ve done to support their success.
As we head into the winter break, I wish you all a joyous holiday season.
Sincerely,
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