Hall looks to reshape USU for its future
Utah State University President Kermit L. Hall is searching for ways to adapt and reshape USU to meet the changing needs of its students and faculty.
Last week, Hall hosted a two-day seminar led by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation on the future of land-grant institutions. In his introductory remarks, Hall drew on “Alice in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll to make a point:
“Alice finds herself coming to a crossroads with two paths to follow before her, each stretching onward, but in different directions. She is confronted by the Cheshire Cat, of whom Alice asks, ‘Which path shall I take?’
The cat answers, ‘Where do you want to go?’
‘I don’t know,’ said Alice.
‘Then,’ said the cat, ‘it really doesn’t matter, does it?'”
After reading this at the seminar, Hall said USU can learn a lesson from the story.
“Land-grant universities in general, and Utah State in particular, are pretty much in the position of Alice,” Hall said. “We know we need to decide, but the hardest thing is knowing what direction to take.”
Hall said the Kellogg Foundation has sponsored an effort over the last three-and-a-half years to rethink the future of land-grant universities. The Kellogg Commission, composed primarily of presidents of land-grant universities, produced a publication entitled “The Engaged University.” Also, the Kellogg Foundation has made funds available to any land-grant university that wants to bring a team in to evaluate itself – an offer USU has accepted.
Hall said Chief of Staff Craig Peterson will be overseeing a team that will evaluate USU’s “engagement.” He said the university needs to pay particular attention to the development of partnerships outside of the university, “internationalizing” the experience of most USU students, and improving fund raising.
“This past legislative session was successful, but we need to get ready for the next one,” Hall said. “We need to add value here for students – more financial aid, better advising and counseling, lower student-faculty ratio and better library facilities. We definitely need to improve our fund raising. We can’t be successful with the money we have on the table right now, in my opinion.”
Hall said he feels good about being at USU and the future of the school.
“USU has a good future,” he said. “I think our success in the [men’s NCAA] basketball tournament was a good precursor, a good omen. Right now, I feel really good about being here. I may not feel that way when I’m still here at 9 tonight, but right now I do.”