Cooley, Kiefer: President

The President of Southern Arkansas University has a very big job to do.  He takes care of the budget, is completely responsible for publicity, and has a large hand in the recruitment of students.  This is not a job most would take willingly, but I believe I have a few ideas about how I would lead if I were President.

With less than 40% of the required funding provided by the state of Arkansas, obviously we would need another source of revenue.  I would continue with Dr. Rankin’s ideas of expand and improve.  Expanding costs money up front, but this is the prime opportunity to incorporate more energy efficient complexes that in a relatively short time will pay for their selves.  Making the campus a new series of high tech complexes would not only benefit existing students and faculty; it would be a huge asset for those looking to attend the university.

The president is responsible for any mistakes the university may make.  He is the one who approves it all; therefore he is who the media comes to when something goes awry.  This is the tough part of the job, but it must be handled with care.  If I were president, I would encourage all of our decisions to be made publicly, that way we could get feedback from the community, and I believe the university and community must have a close bond to coexist peacefully.

The main source of income in the university is from the students, so obviously ‘the more the merrier.’ I recently watched the new Harry Potter movie in Texarkana and was sitting in the theatre watching the annoying local commercials. Lo and behold, a loud and obnoxious sound caught my ears.  When I looked at the screen to discover the source of the awful noise, I saw an SAU commercial.  While this was not the best commercial I had ever saw, it served its purpose perfectly.  It stuck with me.  I believe Dr. Rankin is doing a fine job recruiting students, seeing as this year we had the largest freshmen class in SAU history.  I would carry on his fine methods, because the old cliché proves true (if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it).

Obviously I am a fan of what the current President of SAU is doing.  Dr. Rankin is doing a great job of maintaining this university.  I believe that he is going about recruitment and renovations in the right way.  He may spend require a large budget during his tenure here, but when he leaves SAU will truly be a much better place.