Feb. 28 Town Hall Meeting

Question 5: What would make us great beyond the obvious? If there were no constraints, what would be your one goal for WSU?

  • Every graduate does multiple internships and businesses want more.
  • Professors all teach in multiple departments/schools.
  • Ensure/expand the longstanding role of WSU as a major research university in a metropolitan area.
  • Fully integrated student and campus life where students choose to live on campus, experience growth through campus opportunities, are involved on campus creating a strong connection to the university and community.
  • Be the school of first choice among Wichita students in general and among other students across Kansas for selected programs, such as engineering or health professions.
  • Expand distance education programs and offer four-year degree completions in targeted disciplines.
  • Every Wichita public high school graduate could attend WSU tuition free.
  • Dental school.
  • Law school.
  • We become the MIT of the Midwest. All professions turn to WSU for graduates who are critical thinkers.
  • Examine the huge issue of students graduating who lack critical thinking skills, a topic often mentioned by employers.
  • Form a task force involving business community and WSU faculty to develop and package an academic curriculum that blends critical thinking and job preparation. WSU would then be different from other state universities.
  • World-class university.
  • Unique -- inclusion -- truly bringing each student through his/her education to a truly meaningful life.
  • Students would be encouraged, enlightened, and empowered to be productive citizens and family members.
  • Leadership studies and research.
  • We are movers, doers, and thinkers.
  • Health science center linked with engineering, computer science, for state of the art quality.
  • We lead the economic engine for the state.
  • Economic engine of the plains.
  • Student-centered education.
  • WSU as a technology transfer powerhouse -- driving innovation and entrepreneurship for the region.
  • Famous for the niche we have created.
  • More interaction with community colleges in collaboration rather than competition.
  • Higher graduation rates with all students.
  • Eliminate tenure -- use pay for performance system. Tenure has the potential to reward/embed bad educators.
  • Tiered education: meaning lower cost for general education courses -- keep the students at WSU all four years.
  • Faculty (minus students) lunchroom. Brown bag lunches.
  • Get out of department structures and silos, which inhibits innovation and causes duplication of resources/courses.
  • Newly updated Heskett Center (desperately needed).
  • Multi-tiered class costs, lower costs for basic courses, higher costs for major courses.
  • New dorm should NOT be south of stadium. Put it in an area between Koch Arena and Wilner auditorium -- grass area now.
  • Update the stadium for concerts and track meets.
  • If the goal can't be measured, it's not a goal. Track graduates and publish number on who gets jobs. Use existing tools in market place to help students understand their strengths and unique ability and get educated in that strength. Define why you do what you do, then move from there.

» Return to Town Hall Meetings home page