Public contributes to university planning

The Planning and Priorities process moved outside the university in November. A small team, led by Dr. Evan Simpson, vice-president (academic), traveled to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor and Gander. Meetings were also held in St. John's. Dr. Graham Skanes facilitated the sessions.

The turnout from the public was fair even though the sessions had been widely advertised. However, the enthusiasm and commitment to the exercise were strong. There was clear evidence that the people of this province have an abiding faith in Memorial University and appreciate the work of its staff and faculty. Consistent with this, they want our educational and research services to be more accessible so that they can benefit not only individuals, but also entire communities. The St. John's campus is frequently regarded as impersonal and Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, which provides education in a much smaller setting, is not well known outside the Corner Brook region. We will have to find effective and sustainable ways of overcoming these shortcomings.

Dr. Skanes will prepare a report on the public consultations and this will then be used to complement the discussions held previously within the university. It is my expectation that the Planning and Priorities process will be completed by the spring of 2000. Our next challenge will be to find ways of implementing the conclusions. The participation of all members of the university will be required to make this successful.

Negotiations
Collective bargaining is currently underway with CUPE (Local 1615) and MUNFA. Bargaining with CUPE is following the "interest based" approach while the negotiations with MUNFA follow traditional patterns (Editor's note: to find out more about how interest-based bargaining works, see story on page 4). In both cases, significant progress has been made, but much remains to be done. I am pleased that the negotiations are proceeding in a purposeful manner. I know how much good working conditions mean to all members of the university and I am confident that the negotiating teams can find ways of improving them. If you have suggestions, please make them known.

Seasons greetings
This will be my first holiday season in Newfoundland and Labrador. My family and I are delighted to share in the wonderful traditions of Christmas and New Year that are unique to the province. The season provides all of us time for reflection after a busy semester. I found the fall particularly interesting since I had to familiarize myself with our university and province. I am delighted to be here. To all of you who have helped to make me feel at home, I want to give a warm "thank you". To those I have yet to meet, I want to say that I look forward to getting to know you very soon.

I wish you and your family peaceful holidays and a very happy new year.

Axel Meisen
PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR

Visit the president's homepage at:  www.mun.ca/president