1993-10-04; Central Michigan Life

              Monday, October 4, 1993
Central
Michigan
VOLUME 76, NUMBER 15
MOUNT PLEASANT, MICHIGAN 48859
1993 CM LIFE
(517) 774-3493
Plachta appointed president
Board unanimously
approves resolution
after discussion
By Karen Joseph
Leonard E. Plachta ascended to permanent
presidency of CMU Friday with unanimous support
from t hi* Hoard of Trustees.
A Policy and Bylaws Committee motion proposed
appointing Plachta to a permanent presidency,
hiregomg a national search The motion, released
Sept. 14. was met with some dissent ion in the campus community.
The Board, anticipating tin* unrest, released the
agenda item early to allow those in opposition time
to voice concerns, said Board chairman Sid Smith.
The Board also arranged time for concerned parties
to speak at  t fro meeting.
The motmn departs from established section
within t ho manual <»f policies, practices and regula-
t ions t hat were amended, adopted and approved by
Academic Senate Nov 2S. 1992. The section was
ruled irieffect ive and subsequently thrown out at
the duly   la Board meeting.
About l.~><) people attended the meeting. 13 of
which addressed the Board.
Miguel Centellns. Saginaw freshman and
Academic Senator, was among those opposed to tlie
motion. Centellns said although he appreciated
being abb* to speak to the Board, the timing of the
nuttings is inconvenient for bun and other CMC
st udents
'I had to cut class to come here today," Centellas
said
Some peoplt* clapped during the meeting and
• Board chairman Sid iSmith i said Don't clap during our meeting. " Centellas continued. "It's <wr
meeting I may not be a trustee*. I was not govern-
mentally appointed to he a trustee, but this is where
I  rhose to con re to school.
Centellns commented that hiring Plachta without .i national search would reduce t he legitimacy of
t fie president regardless of Plachta s qualificat ions
1 le said t he $40.()(M I saved from foregoing t he search
would not   rid CMC of any of  its money woes.
He flirt her stated that ' t here's not been a history
of affirmative action mi this campus; there's not
been a history of minority representation."
Centellns said t he Board threatens its own credibility with the* campus community because4 of a
growing distrust  within the campus community.
"Onri* you've lost  that, what  have you got.''*
Alice Ta it. associate professor of journalism, represented tin* Association of Faculty and Staff of
Color at the meeting fait said appointment without ;i search and the rescindingofestablished proce-
(iu res "raises serious quest ions for AFSC V She said
it is imperative that CMC conduct a national
sen rch
Robert Welsh, professor ol market ing and hospitality services admin ist rat ion. said he supports t he
motion   citing   Plachtas  vision  as a  valuable* coin-
St-e APPOINT Pucje 2
Plachta, vision
hailed by Board
By Karen Joseph
Leonard K Plachta will lead CMC into its second
eenl ui \ .liter being unanimously appointed pernia-
imiil   president   by the Board of Trustees Friday.
If 11 a.-* been said that the essence of leadership is
!«» have a vision." Leonard E. Plachta wrote in his
vimoii  statement   released  Friday
I but \ i-ion was received by tlie Board much like
Pl.it-hia s interim term        warmly and with repect.
Plachtas leadership during his interim term has
been    .1    kev     element    in    tin-    Boards   decision    to
appoint     him     president     without     conducting    a
national   -earch. according lo tlie Boards appoint
! ! lellt    i < sobit ion
After his unanimous appointment, Plachta
-bared  his  \ ision  for ( All'
lb -aid | he university should t r\ to maintain low
• nm levels in order to keep tuition increases at a
minimum
The first item in the president's vision statement
leiter.ite- a point repeated throughout Plachtas
term The item st ate> t li.it (AIL will take pride in
-eivmg  it-  -t udents
We   will    provide   highu.uuhtv    programs   re-lev
ant   to -ludenl  demand    UK hiding expanded opportunities foi  » .ii eer  prepaii«t ion of our st udents     I he
v l - loll   I '  ad-
VISION
This document is a statement that
describes my vision of the future of
Central Michigan University. It is based
on my understanding of the university's
past and its current strengths, my interpretation of
social needs and demands, and a variety of other
elements. It is a personal statement, designed to
articulate what I consider important in influencing the
future development of Central Michigan University.
It has been said the essence of leadership is to have
vision. I present this presidential vision as a basis
for development of appropriate mission, goals, and
objective statements, as the university looks to the
future.
We will be a university that takes great pride in
serving its students. We will provide high-quality
academic programs relevant to student demand,
including expanded opportunities for career
preparation of our students. Administrative services,
such as advising, registration, housing and
placement, will be rendered courteously, promptly,
and at times convenient to the student, in balance
with appropriate efficiency and effectiveness.
We will be a university that maintains enrollment
at a level appropriate to available resources, campus
capacity and the talents of its faculty and staff. We
recognize that the
university is not
purely in the
collegiate education
field, but in the field of
people development,
including the offering
of non-credit
services, consulting
services, and related
services that readily
accompany collegiate
educational activities.
We will serve the
non-traditional
student by expanding
our course offerings
on weekend,
evenings and in other
innovative ways.
We will be a
university with a
defined role, knowing
that it cannot be all
things to ail people.
The university's role
must be defined
through appropriate
participation of
various interest
groups in the context
of the program
availability
elsewhere,
appropriateness to
existing strengths
and resources,
availability of
additional funding, and market demand. We will
favor teaching, research and service programs that
feature health services, environmental studies,
economic development, applied science and
technology, communications, and service to the rural
communities of Michigan.
We will be a university that places a very high
value on teaching, with appropriate support and
reward systems available to its faculty.
We will be a university that makes its presence
known and respected in our state's capitoi. As a
state-funded institution, we are substantially
dependent on our relationships with state officials
and their perception of us. We must become more
than just another interest group, seeking ever-
increasing financial and other support while we
travel the road that we deem our own special
interest. We have duties to discharge to society —
responsibilities to our students, taxpayers and public
at large.
We will be a university whose image reflects a
seriousness of intellectual and cultural purpose
among our students. We will no longer be known as
a '■party school."
We will be a university that continues in its long
tradition of teacher preparation, aware of the need to
limit output in this field because of the continuing
oversupply of teachers in Michigan. We will
increase our professional influence in addressing
public education problems in the state.
We will be a university that maintains its concerns
about access for the state's citizens, including those
with limited economic means. We will continue to
practice cost containment in order to limit tuition and
fee increases. Use of appropriate technology to
improve teaching and learning will be encouraged,
including multi-media technology, distance learning
technology, and our Public Broadcasting Network.
Administrative efficiency and effectiveness will be a
continuing goal.
We will be a university that conducts its affairs in
an environment of cooperation with all employee
groups. We will avoid divisive tendencies and
encourage mutual respect and personal
development. We will develop a working
environment that provides all employees the
opportunity for personal growth, learning and job
advancement.
We will be a university that values the richness of
diversity — of races, nationalities, social and
economic classes, and geographic origins.   We will
President's
Vision Statement
break away from the tradition of attracting 98 percent
of our students from Michigan; we need a greater
variety of students from other countries and other
states as well. We need to do a better job of
attracting and retaining minority students as well as
students of exceptional talent and potential and
those of non-traditional status.
We will be a university where the fine arts are
respected, encouraged, supported and enjoyed by
all members of the campus community. Students
will be encouraged to take advantage of expanded
opportunities to participate in, and attend, music and
theatre performances. The visual arts will be
supported and encouraged. The CMU Public
Broadcasting Network will continue to bring to the
regional community the world of arts and ideas.
We will be a university that imparts to its students
concerns about personal values and their
importance to the students as social beings.
We will be a university that stresses to its
students service and volunteerism. We will
encourage our students to deepen their concern for
those who need help, to build within them a string
sense of ethical responsibility, and to help them
understand that exceptional responsibility for the
welfare of others.
We will be a university with a social mission:   to
excel in making
students caring,
active, enlightened
citizens and civic
leaders.
We will be a
university that
considers one of its
roles to be that of
public service — in
addition to the more
obvious roles of
teaching and
scholarly activity.
Public service to the
state's citizens,
communities and
organizations will be
encouraged. The
CMU Public
Broadcasting
Network will continue
to serve as a major
public service
through its television
and radio
transmission in
central and northern
Michigan.
We    will    be    a
university that
encourages relevant
scholarly activity and
service on the part of
its faculty and staff, to
contribute the
knowledge that will
help society discover how to overcome its pressing
problems. We will emphasize a practical thrust,
without discouraging knowledge discovery for its
own sake.
We will be a university that continues to see the
important role of graduate programs. Expansion of
our graduate programs, including careful selection of
a few doctoral programs, will be encouraged.
Additional graduate education activity will increase
enrollment, enhance the academic environment on
campus, and bring balance to our institution.
We will be a university that is "internationalized" at
a significant level. Student will have increased
opportunities to study and work abroad; their
curricula will provide an international dimension in
their education while they are still in college so that
they will be able to perceive and place in context
events that take place abroad. The university will
develop international linkages with overseas
programs, student internship programs, study-
abroad programs, faculty and student exchanges,
and visiting scholars.
We will be a university that continues to have
substantial off-campus activity building on existing
strengths and previous accomplishments. Off-
campus programs will continue and expand where
student demand exists, provided that the university
does not duplicate programs can be delivered in a
high-quality and economically beneficial manner.
Locations may be in other parts of Michigan and in
other states. Sites in other countries will be
encouraged when all of the above criteria are met,
as well as the criterion of other benefits to the
university, such as enhancement of the
internationalization of our campus.
We will be a university that recognizes the value
of programs offered outside the classroom —
intercollegiate athletics, intramural sports, a free
student newspaper, responsible student
organizations, visiting artists and speakers and the
like. These activities enhance the lives of our
students, bring excitement and variety to our
campus and often enhance our reputation. We
would be poorer without them, and they should
remain an important part of the CMU experience.
We will be a university that recognizes the need
for significant involvement with alumni, an advanced
program of fund-raising, and increased research
grants. University success and quality improvement
are affected by external connections and the
availability of funds that supplement state
appropriations, tuition and fees.
Appointment draws
various reactions
around university
By Andrew Guy Jr.
I  IM     Stall  Writ*  :
President Leonard E. Plachta s appoint ment as
president without a national search was met with
mixed  reactions from faculty and students
Plachta became CMU's 11th president at Friday's
Board of Trustees meeting with tlie adoption of a
resolution from the Policy and Bylaws Committee
The resolution passed unanimously after- an open
session to allow speakers to voice their* opinions.
Some* said the decision by the Board to forego a
nationwide   presidential   search   was  a   precedent
sett ing mistake* the university will regret in yea r.- t < i
come-. Others supported Plachta. saving thai  after
years of service* he has proven his loyalty to (All
and deserves the job
"His appoint merrt is undeniably a had pre-cedent ."
said David Smith. Academic Senate chairman and
chairman of the religion department "We're in a
kind of wait-and-see posture to see if President
Plachta will represent the i university ' common it v
I  hope this turns out to be a one-time procedure
t leorge Blackburn, professor" of history, echoed
Smith's sentiments.
"My primary concern is procedure.' he -~i[\<\ I
believe that tbt* president should be selected hv the
Board and students "
(iuy Meiss. associate professor of journal ism. said
the decision not to conduct a national search might
have damaged  Plachta more than the university.
"I would rather have seen it come about as a
result of" a national search. By not doirrg that, the
Board  has damaged t Plachtas) reputation."
Meiss said he received a call from an alumna
living in California. She> told him news of (All's
decision had reached the West ( 'oast and some w me
questioning Plachtas credentials ami imputation
"I think the Board lias unne-cessurily wounded
him in advance." Meiss said. "Why create' a problem
in advance of  making him president'/"
(ran Dunbar, associate professeir eif psychology,
said Plachta has never been clear on a number of
issue's affecting the* university and a national
starch would have* been the light opportunity for
him to clarify   his ideas
"A   search    would   have*   made   people   articulate
their  positions."   Dunbar- said    "I   was   very  dmap
pointed that the Board diel not lake   into tou<idera
t ion   faculty   and   student    input   and   disregarded
afflrmat ive action."
Dunbar said be has high hopes for Plachta'-
administ rat ion.
"I hope* Leonard does a good job I have* nothing
against him." he* said He may he the greatest
president we ever had. anel I hope he is. but there"-
always a chance* that there may be semieone better
out  there"
Carol Devens. associate professor ol historv. aid
Plachta would have* benefited from a national
search.
"His     credentials    are    therm      They're*     long
standing,  but   I   think  thev  would   stand   out   eve-n
more* after a natieinal  search." I)eve*ris said
Susan ( 'on net. assoriat e prole
sbe hopes CMC will move* on
if  111sI e»r>
"I'm hoping his appointment will move u- forward." she saiel. "I st ill wish afllrmat ive* act ion had
not   been set   aside."
Xe»t     every     faculty     memiher    interviewed     wa-
See REACTION
Plachta's career at CMU
1972:   Joined Central as a professor of
accounting
1977-1979: Served as assistant dean of
the College of Business Administration
1980: Named dean of the College of
Business Administration
Jan. 1992: Named interim president
following the retirement of Edward B.
Jakubauskas
Sept. 14, 1993: Board of Trustees announces motion to forego presidential
search
Oct. 1, 1993: Board names Plachta as
CMU's 11th president
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