Lane charts new directions, opportunities in fall General Assembly address
Emporia State University’s president is sketching an ambitious blueprint for increasing the school’s enrollment in the coming school year.
Speaking during ESU’s fall General Assembly Tuesday, Aug. 18, Dr. Michael R. Lane outlined retention and graduation rate improvements, adjustments in student recruiting strategies and a review of scholarship programs that will be part of recommendations by a consultant that ESU will retain.
“We have made some progress, but we want to get some expert help in those areas,” said Lane, telling ESU faculty and staff members that the consultant will also handle training on new methods for student recruitment and training.
Lane is also pushing for expanded online availability of ESU’s general education courses to serve students who are not able to come to the Emporia campus for traditional classroom instruction. “It is time to step forward and demonstrate our quality in every teaching modality,” Lane said.
Along with increased availability of online course, ESU is investigating enrollment growth possibilities overseas. “We are looking at placing an intensive English program in China,” Lane said, adding that ESU is also considering offering selective graduate degrees to students in China.
“We must do things differently, and we must do different things,” Lane concluded.
Also during the General Assembly address, Lane noted:
- Progress on the Memorial Union renovation continues, with plans for a spring groundbreaking event.
- Ventilation and electrical system upgrades in Roosevelt Hall, King Hall, and William Allen White Library are nearing completion, resulting in more comfortable interior environments and energy savings.
- One outgrowth of ESU’s new Strategic Plan, improvements in campus signage, is already evident. New building identification signs and direction signs will help visitors and new students find their way around the campus.
Fall classes at Emporia State University start Wednesday, Aug. 19.