Message from the President

Dear Fellow Members of the University Community,

Time is flying by and these first 50 days as the President of Texas A&M-San Antonio could not have been more exciting! I would like to thank all of you for the feedback you have given. I've been carefully listening to what you have to say and have started to address the highest priorities.

The most repeated theme across the University has been that the budget process currently suffers from a lack of transparency and knowledge. The second most frequent comment I've received is the lack of communication and/or lack of understanding about plans for downward expansion. I believe these issues are unintended consequences of the rapid pace needed to achieve critical milestones such as stand-alone accreditation! With this in mind, my intent is to infuse inclusive comprehensive planning into our campus community. I am creating two opportunities for campus planning and engagement: 1) a campus-wide Budget Forum on March 20, 2015, that will be held in the auditorium from 1:30-3 p.m. and 2) a Speaker Series that will begin in April that addresses student academic success and helps inform us about strategies for downward expansion.

My goal for the Budget Forum is an open understanding of the current state of University budgets and finances. There will be an opportunity for questions and conversation. All members of the University faculty and staff are invited and encouraged to attend. I intend to appoint a Commission on University Resources to advise me on all fiscal matters. The Commission will be a successor and will build on the work that had been previously done by the Council on Assessment, Planning and Budgeting (CAPB).

The Speakers Series will focus on innovative high-impact practices that improve student academic success and will feature national experts, including Jillian Kinzie, Tia Brown McNair, George Mahaffy and Gage Paine. I am interested in creating a platform of knowledge that informs the entire University community about contemporary evidencebased practices that build on student academic success. Together, we will build a National Model for Student Success at our great campus.

The distinguished speakers and their presentations will be invaluable as we continue to build on what we are doing here at A&M-San Antonio. As the University continues to grow, I want there to be no doubt that we are establishing strong connections to enhance our scholarship and research. On Monday, March 9, 2015 we will release a complete Speaker Series schedule with dates, times and topics.

You may have heard me say, I'm open to respectful dialogue with any member of the University community. I welcome open communication and embrace the digital open door policy. I am excited to launch a new feature on the University website, with a link on the main page, to S.H.A.R.E. with the President. This new convenient function makes communicating with me even easier. With the S.H.A.R.E. button you can Share concerns or challenges; ask for Help if you need assistance; Acknowledge a job well done or good deeds; Request services, solutions and answers; and Exchange ideas and information. As we move forward with our shared vision of the University's future, please continue reaching out to me, either through email, social media, the S.H.A.R.E. button, or by visiting me in my office. It is vital that we work together to bring A&M-SA to the next generation of success. I highly value your feedback and the process of shared governance as we renew our efforts to focus on student engagement and academic success.

Warm regards,

Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson
President