St. John Fisher College President Donald Bain used the words “strong, solid and secure” to describe the state of the College at the President’s Fall Forum on Thursday, Oct. 26.

Before Bain went into detail about the College any further, he brought up some key issues about the future in the beginning of his address.

First, Bain mentioned that most alumni he had spoken to, whether they were from the pioneer class of 1955 or from the class of 2003, had a great feeling of pride about their alma mater as well as its future.

“They have a healthy view of what the future is like,” said Bain.

Bain also brought up a key question that he was frequently being asked.

“The only most frequent question I get is: When are you going to be a university?” said Bain. He made the distinct point that he does not plan on changing the College to a university.

“I have no plans, but it’s such a consistent issue that’s raised,” said Bain.

Bain also made the point that any ideas that come up about the future of the College would be subject for extensive dialogue.

The first detail was the project update, which addressed how much progress has actually been made on different projects that are going on campus. At the top of the project update was the Wegmans School of Pharmacy with 100 percent progress.

Other projects included the Wegmans School of Nursing with a progress of 25 percent that is on time and on budget, the new advertising campaign by Jay Advertising, the 2006 Bills Training Camp and the Facilities Master Plan, among other projects.

Bain also described the President’s Student Advisory Council started last year, which represents students from various organizations. He said the purpose of the advisory council is to check in with students and get ideas as well as feedback.

“I’m very pleased with its operations,” said Bain on the council. “I believe it’s operating as it should.”

After Bain’s progress report, Ron Ambrosetti, provost and dean of the College, spoke at the Forum to give updates on the College’s different schools, as well as the results from Middle States.

Ambrosetti also said that Middle States has reaffirmed accreditation of the School of Arts and Sciences. The next report will not be due until 2011. Ambrossetti also mentioned that a total of 36 new faculty members started teaching at Fisher for the new semester.

Another keynote speaker at the Forum was Jose Perales, director of transfer admissions.

“I have nothing but good news to report,” said Perales before he introduced the College’s record-breaking statistics.

Statistics included a four percent increase of total enrollment of 3,681 students in the fall 2006. The full-time undergraduate class increased from 2,448 to 2,566 students this year.

Perales also mentioned the number of doctoral students. In the first year, a total of 55 students are currently in the pharmacy program and 27 students are in the educational doctorate program. Perales said half the students came into the Wegmans School of Pharmacy with bachelor’s degrees and a handful were previously Fisher students.

“Both of these programs are running at full capacity,” said Perales.

During Bain’s address, he switched gears, from talking about the College’s progress to mentioning its future. An aerial view of the South Campus was displayed, which includes the golf course, baseball field, and Murphy Hall. After that, the same image was shown, except some ideas mapped out. Bain called these “concept” pictures.

“It’s to arouse your imagination as to what might happen,” Bain said. He then recalled a time 30 years ago when officials at the College imagined facilities such as a student life center, a baseball field, things we all have now.

“I want you to think what we might do,” Bain said. If plans were made, Bain said the College wouldn’t carry anything through without the consensus of the rest of the campus.

“One thing I can assure you. We’re not going to do anything without a serious dialogue.”

STAFF WRITER
JOHN PETERS
Email address:
jmp6968@sjfc.edu