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Published on January 22, 2025
Faculty and staff gathered for the semesterly University Meeting on Jan. 17 to hear administrative updates prior to the start of the spring 2025 semester. In addition to recognizing longstanding employees and discussing university business developments, President Karim Ismaili gave a recap of his Listening and Learning Tour, the flagship initiative of his inaugural semester last fall.
Since beginning the tour approximately 100 days ago, Ismaili has conducted 27 sessions with students, faculty/staff, community members, alumni and CSCU leaders. Ismaili will soon prepare a report of his findings, which, among other activities, will help to inform the university’s next strategic plan.
“How can we build on the best of what we are while ensuring our path forward is one of our own choosing,” asked Ismaili at the start of each listening/learning session. He also charged participants to keep in mind four core foundations of the university:
Ismaili discovered six themes in particular during his tour:
He noted “a genuine desire to welcome and serve students” across all constituents as well as consensus and pride over Eastern’s distinct mission as Connecticut’s public liberal arts university. Session after session reminded him of Eastern’s widespread “culture of academic excellence,” its strong network of relationships, and its commitment as a regional leader and engaged community partner. Finally, he was reaffirmed of the university community’s pride over its well-sized, modern, and beautiful New England campus.
“This is the synthesis of what I heard,” he said to the University Meeting crowd. “This is the best of who we are. ... Institutions that thrive are those that understand themselves. Eastern understands itself.”
While Ismaili notices an overwhelming sense of positivity throughout the university, he has learned of several concerns, including thin staffing in certain departments/offices and questions over the university’s direction. “What does it mean to be a public liberal arts university … when people are questioning the value of higher education in general?” he empathized.
Ismaili noted that there is also a sense of caution among the community and worry over the influence of external forces, whether they be economic, political or social.
But amidst this time of transition, Ismaili emphasized the possibilities as the university moves into a new era. He stated that Eastern has the opportunity to unite over a shared vision, to take decisive action, to invest strategically, and to continue the forward momentum.
The economic and demographic challenges facing the higher education industry at large also make this a time for serious reflection and novel ideas. “We teach our students to be critical thinkers and creative,” he said. “We should do the same.”
As for the future, Ismaili said: “We need to make sure that we have agency. … Yes there are challenges, but we can control our destiny.”
Service Awards and Retirees
University Updates
University Senate updates were provided by Senate President William Lugo, who reflected on successes of the fall semester, including the launch of the new Eastern Liberal Arts Core (ELAC) and beginning the search process for a new provost. He anticipates another busy semester this spring, with priorities including restructuring certain senate committees, as well as planning for the new ACT (Accessibility, Completion, Talent) framework being implemented by the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities/Board of Regents.
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Ben Pauley provided updates on admissions and enrollment. Pauley praised the admissions team for its ongoing recruitment efforts. As compared to the fall 2023 semester, Eastern recruited at 69 percent more high school/college fairs (592) and gathered 22% more open house attendees (575) in fall 2024.
Their efforts are paying off, according to Pauley, with incoming enrollment projections for fall 2025 trending better than for fall 2024 — which saw Eastern’s highest incoming enrollment since the pandemic. As compared to mid-January of last year, Eastern has received roughly 500 more applications and admitted 600 more students for the incoming class of 2029.
Eastern’s fall 2025 enrollment picture will become more clear on May 1 for College Decision Day, when students will begin making their college commitments. Pauley emphasized that applications are accepted and students are admitted right up until classes begin.
Jeremy Campbell, Eastern’s new vice president for finance and administration, was pleased to report that the university is on track to conclude fiscal year 2025 (June 30) with a balanced budget. Campbell credited the university’s sound financial footing to growing enrollments, strong student retention rates, and prudent use of resources by the Eastern community over the last several years.
Ryan Quigley, interim director of university relations, closed the meeting with a trailer for Eastern’s episode of “The College Tour,” which will air on Amazon Prime Video this spring and screen on campus Feb. 19 at 3 p.m. in the FAIC Concert Hall. He also announced the April 11 inauguration date for President Ismaili and informed the audience that the university’s undergraduate commencement ceremony on May 20 in Hartford’s XL Center will begin earlier in the day at 3 p.m.
Written by Michael Rouleau