Santa Clara University

Thank You

I wish to thank you, our faculty and staff, for your impressive generosity in these difficult economic times. So far this fiscal year, you have contributed nearly $1 million to the University, and for that I am very, very grateful. Your donations, which include gifts from the Jesuit Community and 230 staff and faculty, strengthen our ability to assist students directly. I commend you for the way you model good stewardship for our institution and compassion for our students.

Parent Weekend, February 19-20

Please join me in welcoming parents who will be visiting campus for Parent Weekend on Friday and Saturday, February 19-20. The weekend is packed with activities and information sessions that give parents, friends and siblings of our current students a fuller understanding of the Santa Clara educational experience. My special thanks go to all faculty and staff who are hosting and participating in these events over the weekend.

If you have questions about the planned activities for the weekend, contact the Development Office at 408-554-4400 or visit the Parent Weekend website.

University Planning

The University's Planning Action Council (PAC) has been discussing the Capacity Review and Campus Master Plan in concert with the draft Strategic Plan. The Board of Regents reviewed the draft Strategic Plan at their last meeting on February 5. We are on target to brief the Board of Trustees on the Strategic Plan and related metrics at their next meeting in June.

JST Integration

Our efforts at integrating the Jesuit School of Theology into SCU continue. Two Regents task forces charged with reviewing facilities and academic technology visited JST in December. A consultant has been hired recently to analyze enrollment operations. The Board of Trustees and JST Board of Directors held an historic joint meeting on February 12.

State of the University Reminder

Mark your calendars to attend the State of the University Address on Wednesday, February 24, at 4 p.m. in the Mission Church. I will highlight our accomplishments of the year, identify challenges ahead, and summarize the outcomes of the Board of Trustees meeting held on February 12, including the budget approval for next year.

President's Coffee Sessions

Thank you to all who have attended the coffee sessions, and shared your many insights. These informal gatherings give us a chance to get to know one another and provide a forum to ask questions and express concerns. An invitation to attend spring sessions will be sent out in the coming month.

Announcements

Congratulations to the School of Engineering for their new Graduate Certificate Program in Renewable Energy. The new program will be implemented in fall, 2010.

The exterior of the Mission Church will be renovated sometime in the fall quarter. The University has applied for, and is waiting on, the permit from the City of Santa Clara to begin work.

What's Ahead on My Calendar

• February 19-20 – Parent Weekend
• February 24 – State of the University Address
• February 24 – Staff Coffee Session
• February 25-March 1 – New York City and Boston for Alumni events
• March 2-3 – Washington, D.C. for Alumni events and visits with Congressional representatives on Capitol Hill
• March 11 – Faculty Coffee Session
• March 17 – Foundation visits in Los Angeles

 Michael E. Engh, S.J.

 President