Just received this email...

Dear Colleagues and Friends of the U of M:

When I assumed the interim presidency of the University of Memphis, I promised to focus upon a few significant priorities around the themes of growth and connection. I outlined our goals in August of 2013 and pledged that this interim period would not be one of inaction or lost momentum. With about a month to go in my tenure, I am pleased to report that the University of Memphis is indeed poised for significant growth and enhanced connection.

We will reverse a multi-year decline in enrollment at the U of M in the Fall of 2014. At this writing, applications for admission are up by more than 70% and represent, by a wide margin, the highest number of applicants in the history of the University of Memphis. Internal forecasts suggest a significant double-digit increase in freshman enrollment and transfer students, which, combined with strong student retention initiatives, should generate significant growth in enrollment, while maintaining high entrance standards.

As with student recruitment, the commitment of our faculty and staff to student success is generating outstanding growth. We expect to graduate 12% more students in May of 2014 than we did in May of 2013. With this student-centered focus and transparent accountability, I am comfortable the University of Memphis will exceed the national average of college completion rates by 2020.

Consistent with the focus on growth, financial resources are being strategically allocated and efficiencies realized. A multi-year structural budget deficit has been eliminated, and tuition will not increase in 2014-15 for the first time in 22 years.

The Student Services team has developed best-of-class service standards to better connect with our students in the areas of Admissions, Enrollment, Bursar, Financial Aid, Student Advising, and Student Housing. They have improved processes, regularly measure performance, and are creating a culture of service quality in these critical student-facing support areas.

To ensure the resources of the University are appropriately aligned with the needs of major employers in our core geographic market, we have built strategic partnerships focused on increased opportunities for student internships and employment, faculty research, and academic programming. This connection will help better meet the needs of the major enterprises in this region.

New capital investment will enhance our quality and our growth. We have received the largest gift to Athletics in the history of the University and will use it and other resources generated by a successful campaign to significantly enhance the Park Avenue campus and student athlete support facilities. And the U of M Student Government Association has voted to assess student fees to fund the construction of a new student recreation center and a pedestrian bridge across the Southern Avenue railroad tracks, confronting a physical access issue that has plagued the University of Memphis for decades.

The hard work of so many has laid a great foundation for the next phase of the University of Memphis. The trajectory is exciting, and I am grateful for having had the opportunity to work during this time with the U of M team and its friends.

Go Tigers!

Warm regards,



R. Brad Martin
Interim President

We were blessed to have had him. Amazing what he has done in such a short amount of time. I hope the incoming president builds on this momentum and helps our school realize its true potential.

Awesome! All of it. Keep the momentum going!

I sure wish he would reconsider and stay on for five years. I think the improvements would be amazing.

(04-03-2014 02:28 PM)umbluegray Wrote:  Just received this email...

Dear Colleagues and Friends of the U of M:

When I assumed the interim presidency of the University of Memphis, I promised to focus upon a few significant priorities around the themes of growth and connection. I outlined our goals in August of 2013 and pledged that this interim period would not be one of inaction or lost momentum. With about a month to go in my tenure, I am pleased to report that the University of Memphis is indeed poised for significant growth and enhanced connection.

We will reverse a multi-year decline in enrollment at the U of M in the Fall of 2014. At this writing, applications for admission are up by more than 70% and represent, by a wide margin, the highest number of applicants in the history of the University of Memphis. Internal forecasts suggest a significant double-digit increase in freshman enrollment and transfer students, which, combined with strong student retention initiatives, should generate significant growth in enrollment, while maintaining high entrance standards.

As with student recruitment, the commitment of our faculty and staff to student success is generating outstanding growth. We expect to graduate 12% more students in May of 2014 than we did in May of 2013. With this student-centered focus and transparent accountability, I am comfortable the University of Memphis will exceed the national average of college completion rates by 2020.

Consistent with the focus on growth, financial resources are being strategically allocated and efficiencies realized. A multi-year structural budget deficit has been eliminated, and tuition will not increase in 2014-15 for the first time in 22 years.

The Student Services team has developed best-of-class service standards to better connect with our students in the areas of Admissions, Enrollment, Bursar, Financial Aid, Student Advising, and Student Housing. They have improved processes, regularly measure performance, and are creating a culture of service quality in these critical student-facing support areas.

To ensure the resources of the University are appropriately aligned with the needs of major employers in our core geographic market, we have built strategic partnerships focused on increased opportunities for student internships and employment, faculty research, and academic programming. This connection will help better meet the needs of the major enterprises in this region.

New capital investment will enhance our quality and our growth. We have received the largest gift to Athletics in the history of the University and will use it and other resources generated by a successful campaign to significantly enhance the Park Avenue campus and student athlete support facilities. And the U of M Student Government Association has voted to assess student fees to fund the construction of a new student recreation center and a pedestrian bridge across the Southern Avenue railroad tracks, confronting a physical access issue that has plagued the University of Memphis for decades.

The hard work of so many has laid a great foundation for the next phase of the University of Memphis. The trajectory is exciting, and I am grateful for having had the opportunity to work during this time with the U of M team and its friends.

Go Tigers!

Warm regards,

R. Brad Martin
Interim President

Much of what I shared on the board last week.

The University has responded well to new accountability measures and new rules for funding. President Martin has played a role in that, removed some barriers and brought in some new ideas....but these results come from several years of work not something that started the day SR packed up her office. PBM gave momentum to a wave that had already built up.

He gave credit to this being the results of the hard work of many. Don't belittle those accomplishments by laying all the credit at the feet of one man. He is and will continue to be a great asset to the university.

(04-03-2014 02:49 PM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  

(04-03-2014 02:28 PM)umbluegray Wrote:  Just received this email...

Dear Colleagues and Friends of the U of M:

When I assumed the interim presidency of the University of Memphis, I promised to focus upon a few significant priorities around the themes of growth and connection. I outlined our goals in August of 2013 and pledged that this interim period would not be one of inaction or lost momentum. With about a month to go in my tenure, I am pleased to report that the University of Memphis is indeed poised for significant growth and enhanced connection.

We will reverse a multi-year decline in enrollment at the U of M in the Fall of 2014. At this writing, applications for admission are up by more than 70% and represent, by a wide margin, the highest number of applicants in the history of the University of Memphis. Internal forecasts suggest a significant double-digit increase in freshman enrollment and transfer students, which, combined with strong student retention initiatives, should generate significant growth in enrollment, while maintaining high entrance standards.

As with student recruitment, the commitment of our faculty and staff to student success is generating outstanding growth. We expect to graduate 12% more students in May of 2014 than we did in May of 2013. With this student-centered focus and transparent accountability, I am comfortable the University of Memphis will exceed the national average of college completion rates by 2020.

Consistent with the focus on growth, financial resources are being strategically allocated and efficiencies realized. A multi-year structural budget deficit has been eliminated, and tuition will not increase in 2014-15 for the first time in 22 years.

The Student Services team has developed best-of-class service standards to better connect with our students in the areas of Admissions, Enrollment, Bursar, Financial Aid, Student Advising, and Student Housing. They have improved processes, regularly measure performance, and are creating a culture of service quality in these critical student-facing support areas.

To ensure the resources of the University are appropriately aligned with the needs of major employers in our core geographic market, we have built strategic partnerships focused on increased opportunities for student internships and employment, faculty research, and academic programming. This connection will help better meet the needs of the major enterprises in this region.

New capital investment will enhance our quality and our growth. We have received the largest gift to Athletics in the history of the University and will use it and other resources generated by a successful campaign to significantly enhance the Park Avenue campus and student athlete support facilities. And the U of M Student Government Association has voted to assess student fees to fund the construction of a new student recreation center and a pedestrian bridge across the Southern Avenue railroad tracks, confronting a physical access issue that has plagued the University of Memphis for decades.

The hard work of so many has laid a great foundation for the next phase of the University of Memphis. The trajectory is exciting, and I am grateful for having had the opportunity to work during this time with the U of M team and its friends.

Go Tigers!

Warm regards,

R. Brad Martin
Interim President

Much of what I shared on the board last week.

The University has responded well to new accountability measures and new rules for funding. President Martin has played a role in that, removed some barriers and brought in some new ideas....but these results come from several years of work not something that started the day SR packed up her office. PBM gave momentum to a wave that had already built up.

He gave credit to this being the results of the hard work of many. Don't belittle those accomplishments by laying all the credit at the feet of one man. He is and will continue to be a great asset to the university.

Thank you, for posting.

I just read till the end. A bridge? A bridge! How many students contemplated that crawl, I wonder. It didn't look all that far.

(04-03-2014 02:49 PM)Tigerx3 Wrote:  The University has responded well to new accountability measures and new rules for funding. President Martin has played a role in that, removed some barriers and brought in some new ideas....but these results come from several years of work not something that started the day SR packed up her office. PBM gave momentum to a wave that had already built up.

This.

(04-03-2014 03:11 PM)snowtiger Wrote:  How many students contemplated that crawl, I wonder. It didn't look all that far.

I saw more than a few actually do it during my time as a student.

(04-03-2014 03:32 PM)tigergreen Wrote:  

(04-03-2014 03:11 PM)snowtiger Wrote:  How many students contemplated that crawl, I wonder. It didn't look all that far.

I saw more than a few actually do it during my time as a student.

Yea me too. That empty space on the other side was so freakin' enticing. It's imprinted in my brain a lot clearer than most things from back then.

o well...Now the BB players will have to come up with a more imaginative reason for being late.

when he said the largest gift in Athletic history he is dead on correct....Wait til June when some things and the work begins.....State of the arts, #TrUeTh.....One Dream, One Team, Memphis....All for one, One for all, All for Memphis....The World Is Ours Memphis....Either jump on board this train, Or get run over by this train called, Memphis.....

I lived on campus when streaking was the rage. Streaking brought the entire community together.

New student rec center and pedestrian bridge would be huge.

I am very excited about the enhanced student services. This has really been needed to retain our students. It was shockingly weak. Bravo, President Martin!

(04-03-2014 06:13 PM)Chi-TownTiger Wrote:  I lived on campus when streaking was the rage. Streaking brought the entire community together.

Remember the guy in the Dick Nixon mask?

Funding the pedestrian bridge has never been the problem. The railroad is the problem. I'll be watching that one. I can't see it happening unless they build a drawbridge.

(04-03-2014 06:13 PM)Chi-TownTiger Wrote:  I lived on campus when streaking was the rage. Streaking brought the entire community together.

I was about 26 years old and attending graduate school at night in those days (had a wife and two young sons). "MSU" was a Top 20 streaking school and I recall spectators setting up lawn chairs in front of the administration building for watching. A few nights, after class, I observed the hilarity before driving my VW Beetle home. The 70's were interesting.

The 70% increase in applications is astounding and great news.

(04-03-2014 10:10 PM)Claw Wrote:  Funding the pedestrian bridge has never been the problem. The railroad is the problem. I'll be watching that one. I can't see it happening unless they build a drawbridge.

If memory serves, the idea is to do a land bridge connecting the new rec center to the main campus.

if you like the "SGA University of Memphis" page on FB, you can see images of the planned rec center.

(04-03-2014 10:10 PM)Claw Wrote:  Funding the pedestrian bridge has never been the problem. The railroad is the problem. I'll be watching that one. I can't see it happening unless they build a drawbridge.

It seems to me that it would be better to tunnel UNDER the railroad. Probably about as cheap and would certainly be used more.