Volume XXV, Issue 14
Educating Women to Excel
February 6, 2008
ON THE
INSIDE:
Memorial
p. 2
Campus Life
p. 3
Study Abroad
p. 4
WEATHER
TODAY: Strong Storms/
Wind. Low 45, High 79.
Thursday: Sunny. Low
37, High 60.
Friday: Sunny. Low 41,
High 62.
Saturday: Partly Cloudy.
Low 38, High 60.
Sunday: Sunny. Low 24,
High 48.
Monday: Sunny. Low 32,
High 43.
Tuesday: Mostly Cloudy.
Low 41, High 56.
Source: www.weather.com
Information retrieved
T^es. Feb. 5 at 5:00 p.m.
Vision 2010: Where is Meredith Heading?
Chelsea McGlaughlin
StafFWriter
"In 2010 Meredith
College will be a nation
ally recognized women's
college known for its
academically rigorous
and transformative edu
cation," the vision states.
Sovmds great, right? But
how is Meredith taking
action and establish
ing itself as a nationally
known institution? Dr.
Cindy Edwards and
sophomore Meghan Kent
weigh in on the plan for
Meredith's future.
Global connected
ness is the name of
the game for Vision
2010, Meredith's new
est five-year strategic
plan. Approved by the
Board of Trustees in
October 2005, Vision 2010
includes three priorities
and numerous sub-goals
under each category.
Priority one focuses
on preparing Meredidi's
graduates to be "global
citizens and leaders"
through "specific pro
grams that focus on,
internationalization and
leadership." Two of
its goals are to increase
participation in study
abroad opportunities by
both faculty and students
and to increase the num
ber of international fac
ulty, staff and students.
Priority two focuses
on strengthening the
core of Meredith: the
people. Meredith hopes
to have 2,600 enrolled
students by 2010, the
first step toward reach
ing its "optimal size" of
2,800-3,000 students. A
strong, well-qualified
faculty and staff to sus
tain the new numbers is
a must. Better employee
compensation, includ
ing more health benefits
and higher salaries, is
coming. Tougher admis
sions requirements,
such as higher GPAs
and SAT scores, will be
implemented. A more
diverse student popula
tion is also in the works,
with goals of having at
least 20% international
and minority students
and another 20% out-of-
state students. Increased
financial assistance,
scholarship awards and
retention rates are also
planned. The school's
social life is also set to
receive a make-over:
improved campus activ
ity rates and a "vibrant
weekend campus cul
ture" are hopes.
Priority three is
all about increasing
Meredith's recognition
at the local, regional
and national levels. In
part, Meredith will
begin a public relations
campaign; promote the
accomplishments of its
students, staff, faculty
and alumnae; increase
national interest in its
events and increase
recruitment and outreach
efforts. Improvements to
technology are important
in this 21st century, and
Meredith is slated to re
design its website and to
increase communication
with other institutions of
higher education.
With so many plans
and goals already estab
lished, it may seem as if
students have been left
out of the Vision 2010
process. However, Dr.
Edwards says such isn't
the case: "It^s a little bit
of everybody's respon
sibility." Edwards says
students should be aware
of Vision 2010's goals and
should keep those goals
in mind when they ask
for new program funding
and advocate for change
on campus. Meghan
Kent holds a similar
viewpoint, saying, "I
think students should
feel free to talk with
faculty members and
deans of the college
about improvements
they would like to see.
Students can play a more
active role by getting
their opinions out into
the open."
Vision 2010 seems to
be a positive advance
ment opportunity for the
entire Meredith commu
nity, and its results will
draw students, faculty
and staff who might not
have come before. "I
think the donations and
new scholarship funds
will be an enormous help
to students who struggle
to afford Meredith's
tuition," says Kent.
Since a larger popula
tion is planned, changes
to Meredith's facilities
are expected. "Facility
changes include the
apartments they are
planning to build and
the elevator they are
going to put in Joyner
to make it handicapped
accessible," says Kent.
Plans are also underway
to update residence halls,
the library and athletic/
wellness facilities.
With so many excit
ing changes to look
forward to, it seems
Meredith is the place to
be. Get involved with
Vision 2010—ifs your
future.
Visit http://www.
'meredith.edu/president/
vision2010/default.htm
for more information
about Vision 2010.
Tables in front of the Cate Center
Photo submitted by Amber McKinney