Academic Convocation Addresses the State-of-the-College
With the classroom doors now open on a new academic year at Canisius, the college community gathered for Academic Convocation, on Wednesday, to hear Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., present his annual state-of-the-college address. And in the words of the college president, there is “good news to report.”

Canisius President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., delivers his state-of-the-college address during Academic Convocation in the Montante Cultural Center, on Wednesday, September 8.

In June, the college closed enrollment, for the first time in its history, when the 2004 freshman class reached its full enrollment of 888 (59 percent female: 41 percent male).  The academic quality of the student body is just as impressive.  The average SAT score for the Class of 2008 is 1104; the high school average stands at 89.9.  Sixty percent of incoming freshmen reside on campus.

To house this growing student body, construction continues at a rapid pace on the new Eastwood Residence Hall, which is scheduled for completion in August 2005.  The college is also continuing efforts to replace lost parking spaces.  A refurbished Spillman parking lot opened at the start of the semester, as did additional spaces behind the college-owned homes at Florida and Jefferson streets. 

Other projects completed this summer include a $1.5 million renovation to the first floor of the Health Science Building.  Five new classrooms were constructed and wired with the same state-of-the-art technology as in Old Main. A new student lounge was also added.  The lower level of Churchill Tower is now home to the college’s FacTS Center, established to provide more accessible faculty instructional technology support.

While the college remains committed to meeting the goals outlined in its strategic plan, Father Cooke stated that particular attention is being paid to enhancing the geographic diversity of the student body so as to provide a “greater educational experience” for all students.  Specifically, he noted the number of out-of-state students increased from 6.7 percent in 2003 to 8.2 percent in 2004. 

At the same time the college moves forward with its strategic plan, it is also making progress on the Plan for Academic Excellence, which Father Cooke described as “a living, evolving document.”  The plan calls for the improvement of curricular and other learning opportunities; the improvement of instructional and research facilities; the enhancement of research and study related to the Jesuit Catholic tradition; and the diversification of the faculty and student body. 

The special salary subcommittee, appointed to review the total financial situation of the college has until September 30 to present a salary pool increase that will be built into next year’s budget. The target date to close on the purchase of the BlueCross BlueShield Building is set for November 2007 and plans are being developed for the use of the building.  The quiet phase of the next comprehensive campaign is underway.  And the college has promulgated its own Standards of Ethical Conduct, described by Father Cooke as a model code of ethics in private higher education.  

One area of concern for the college, noted Father Cooke, is the increasing cost of medical insurance for college employees. Up 95 percent in the past four years, Father said there is a need for “broad consultation on what to do about this issue.” 

Father Cooke also outlined a general ‘to do’ list for the academic year: achieve Middle States and NCATE accreditation in the School of Education; complete the revision of the faculty handbook, which is to include a faculty grievance procedure; improve integration of adjunct faculty into the academic and social life of the departments; hire a new human resources director; and improve student attendance at academic lectures and athletic events. 

In the meantime, Father said the institution’s governing body, the Canisius College Board of Trustees, will spend the fall delving into some very important discussions about the college’s mission and identity. Specifically, the board will re-examine what it means for Canisius to be a Jesuit Catholic American University.  According to Father Cooke there are two ways of approaching this characterization.  The first is to focus on the words in the sequence listed: Jesuit, Catholic, American and University. 

The alternative approach, supported by Father Cooke, is to focus on the words in exactly the reverse order: university, American, Catholic and Jesuit.  In doing so, said Father, the college, like Cardinal Newman in his great work The Idea of a University, would affirm the primary importance of the goals proper to a university. 

“We must first and foremost be a place committed to truth in teaching, truth in research and to professionalism in everything we do,” explained Father Cooke during convocation.  “Further, American universities are unique kinds of universities.  They are free from government and other outside control.  They are self-governing.  They adhere to definite notions of due process and academic freedom.  And they exist within a society of laws, not the least of which is the United States Constitution.”

Father Cooke went on to explain that American Universities that are Catholic embrace and develop a culture that is welcoming to religion in general and to Catholicism in particular. 

Finally, Father noted that a Jesuit university is a unique style of Catholic university, in which there is a high priority given to the work of the intellect, and openness to the inspiration derived from the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and the Gospel.  Jesuits at Canisius work in close collaboration with their colleagues and are committed to faith and justice.

Last but not least, Father appealed to all faculty, administrators and staff to get the word out about the college’s quality academic programs and experiences; outstanding state-of-the-art learning and living environments; and its great location.  He concluded by saying “(We) are the best spokespeople for Canisius!”