Over 80 Saint Louis University faculty members gathered in Tegeler Hall’s Carlo Auditorium on Tuesday, Nov. 16 for the Fall 1999 Faculty Assembly. The meeting provided an opportunity for SLU faculty to learn about events surrounding the University community-more specifically, Project SLU2000.

SLU2000, a $96 million endeavor targeting improvements in the three areas of academics, facilities and information technology, began in June this year. Provost Sandra Johnson presented “SLU2000: Where Are We and Where Are We Going,” delivering an update on the project’s initiatives.

Johnsons said that the endeavor is very timely, considering the current status of the University’s undergraduate enrollment situation. “What we’re experiencing right now on the undergraduate level is a nice demographic,” Johnson said. “With the goals we’ve set, we are establishing a reputation and the credentials we want.”

After outlining the main divisions of SLU2000, Johnson focused on what seemed to be the audience’s major interest-the academic initiatives of SLU2000.

Johnson described the process that has occurred so far in regards to how each of the seven academic initiatives is being addressed. After defining the initiatives, working committees-consisting of representatives from SLU faculty, staff and students-were formed and established for each initiative.

The drafted criteria are sent to resource groups, such as the University research advisory committee or Student Development, which conduct thorough reviews of the proposals. The criteria are then e-mailed to all University faculty, giving each member the opportunity to submit his or her response. Open forums to gather more feedback may also be held before the working committees reconvene.

“We designed a process that has a broad part in developing [criteria] and an even broader process with peer review,” Johnson said.

After explaining this process, Johnson then provided an update on the status of each of the seven academic initiatives. The new faculty positions initiative, which will see the installation of up to 32 new teachers over the next three years, has progressed the furthest, already reaching the stage where proposals have been solicited and reviewed and positions will be awarded. The other six initiatives are at different stages, with all committees having at least reached the level of appointing a working group.

Following Johnson’s presentation, the assembly recognized Ruth Murray, professor of nursing, as the recipient of the Burlington Northern Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award. The award recognizes, specifically, the art of mentoring.

Murray gave a brief speech on how important the relationship between students and teachers is and how to form such a lasting connection. Murray said that mentoring exceeded the classroom setting, stating that the process included keeping personal contact after graduation and continuously providing encouragement and support for students.

Nokyoon Kwak, professor of decision sciences and management information systems, and Carmine Coscia, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, shared second place for their work mentoring students.