STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY
Mayer Theatre, SCU
12 February 2019
Welcome
Thank you, Dennis, for the introduction, and welcome, one and all, you who are present here in this theater and via the media. Debbie, I appreciate your reflective invocation, and Samantha Perez, ASG president, I am impressed, as always, by your passion.
To begin, I wish to dedicate my remarks to a friend whom we lost so suddenly this year. Monica Augustin, University Registrar, would certainly not wish to be singled out, but for almost my entire time as President, she was a source of insight and advice. I also remember Fr. Fred Tollini, SJ, professor emeritus of Theatre, who died over the weekend. May they both rest in peace.
Let me add our recognition of where we gather. My hope, at this point, is that we are all becoming more familiar with and accustomed to hearing the land acknowledgment at Santa Clara University events, both large and small activities.
We owe a debt of gratitude to the Ohlone people who called this land home and continue to live among us in the greater Bay Area. They possess a rich history and vibrant culture. Acknowledging our past is an ongoing process, and I look forward to the ways in which we can continue to be reflective and respectful of diverse and complex histories.
To this end, I encourage you all to keep an eye out for announcements about the first ever Santa Clara University Pow Wow, scheduled all day May 4 in the Mission Gardens, hosted by SCU’s Native American Coalition for Change. In addition to its central theme of promoting higher education within the American Indian community, this inaugural event seeks to educate our community as we celebrate together the many elements of this culture. We have work to do at Santa Clara to recognize Native American history, and I appreciate the contributions of the Native American Coalition for Change.
In addition, it is appropriate that we take this time to acknowledge Dennis Jacobs and congratulate you as you prepare to complete your service as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Your impact at Santa Clara has been remarkable over eight years, and you have touched all corners of the university. All of us here wish you abundant success at Fordham University, where I am sure you will make a positive mark.
And Debbie Tahmassebi, we all owe you deep thanks for your energetic and creative leadership as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. What scientist champions the Humanities like you do? We shall be gathering in the spring to salute you and more publicly express our thanks for your steadfast leadership. Best wishes, Debbie, as you begin a new chapter of your career as provost at Westminster College in Salt Lake City.
Finally, special thanks to Scot Hanna-Weir and the members of our University Chamber Singers for the opening hymn, “Cornerstone.” This is a hymn of resilience that caught my attention at the Festival of Lights. ”Cornerstone” reflects so well the vision of our horizon of possibilities. This future arises for our students through their Santa Clara education; a future our staff enables through their dedication to this university’s mission; a future that faculty inspire by their teaching, research, and creative works; a future that the mission and character of Santa Clara empowers as a Jesuit and Catholic university. More on this later, but for now, thank you Scot and the Chamber Singers.
I. UPDATES ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THIS YEAR
I structured my remarks at the Convocation in September under three categories that began with Discovery. These concepts outlined where the academic year would take us, and today I wish to offer you an update on our shared accomplishments. Let me provide a few examples of discoveries from the past 6 months.
1. Housing.
Michael Crowley, Vice President of Administration and Finance, made affordable housing for faculty and staff a high priority.
He identified six sites the University owns that could be developed, and they prioritized one. The largest of these sites could host up to 290 units of housing for our faculty and staff.
The Facilities division developed plans and met the San Jose City Planning Department deadline of 1 November. Subsequent meetings at City Hall have proved encouraging, including one in late December and another in January, both of which I attended with Michael, Chris Shay, our C.O.O. John Ottoboni, and trustee John A. Sobrato. With encouragement from city leaders, we are now preparing more detailed plans to submit. Michael and his staff will seek additional feedback from faculty and staff this winter quarter in a series of listening sessions.
2. Campus Climate Survey.
Since the release of the Campus Climate Survey results in October, we have used the findings to set priorities to implement the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Diversity and Inclusion and the subsequent Task Force. Elsa Chen, Vice-Provost for Academic Affairs, has developed a committee to coordinate organic activities to advance our goals and set a baseline to measure future progress in diversity and inclusion. I am grateful to all who have volunteered for the working groups listed here. Elsa has already reported to the Planning Action Council, the Faculty and Staff Senates, and to the Associated Student Government on this project to advance diversity and inclusion.
3. Adjunct Faculty and Lecturers
We continue to listen and act upon the concerns expressed by adjunct faculty and lecturers. For example, we worked quickly and diligently within our collaborative governance system to correct outdated reappointment and renewal procedures. Those procedures are now in effect. We are leading the region in identifying new approaches to solving the affordable housing challenge, as I mentioned.
New housing is in addition to the 90 units we already offer, the Landed down payment program, and the rental assistance subsidies being utilized by all renewable term lecturers who qualify. These subsidies are now built into the University budget. Later this month, we will be sharing details from the 2020 budget that includes a 3% merit increase for all faculty and staff in the coming academic year; $265,000 for market adjustments for assistant professors in arts, humanities, and social sciences; $400,000 for a new compensation structure for teaching track faculty; and $450,000 for new tenure-track positions. I am happy to report that this is money already allocated and approved by the Board of Trustees.
I am also pleased that last fall we launched the new Institute for Teaching Excellence with $100,000 in gift funds, under the direction of Eileen Elrod, Associate Vice-Provost for Faculty Development. The Institute is open to all faculty to teach more effectively. The Institure complements the impressive array of faculty development programs available to all of our faculty.
I remain deeply grateful to the faculty who so candidly shared their concerns with me and my administration. We may disagree on some points, but, as you know, our University is rich in opinions. We have listened closely and carefully and are acting with open minds and hearts. What we have accomplished together demonstrates how we are truly better working together to elevate our community.
This is not a moment in time, but rather a reawakening of how critical it is that we repair the relationship between our faculty and the administration. My hope is that we continue the important work of returning to a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, and understanding. We are far more effective when we are united. When I have the opportunity to meet your next president, this will be among the most important pieces of advice I shall share with him.
4. Examen.
In September I reported that Jesuit universities and colleges in the United States are reflecting on the Jesuit nature of each school. Each institution considers what it has done, what it is doing, and what it can do to implement more completely the values of Jesuit education. These Jesuit values include education of the whole person, concern for each individual (cura personalis), promotion of social justice, and respect and promotion of faith and spirituality.
Fr. Dorian Llywelyn, executive director of the Ignatian Center, and professor Tom Plante of the Psychology department, are co-chairs of this project. They have assembled a team to conduct a self-study of the University that they will complete by June of this year. They will consult with the deans, and the leadership of the Faculty Senate Council and the Staff Senate as part of this self-study. The recommendations from the study will go to a visiting team of colleagues from other Jesuit universities who will arrive in the Fall.
Further information will be forthcoming, so I thank Tom, Dorian, and the Committee members for their generosity.
5. Student Mental Health Issues
In September, I reported that Santa Clara became a JED Campus in May 2017. This is an intensive 4-year collaboration between the JED Foundation and campus stakeholders. It focuses on assessing and strengthening campus systems for improving mental health, with a special emphasis on addressing substance abuse and suicide prevention. The JED Campus Program Committee is busy implementing programs and services to meeting the mental health needs of our students.
The early results of our efforts are impressive. Let me highlight three programs that are seeing early success.
Campus Recreation
We know that there is a strong relationship between physical and emotional health and academic success. To support a balanced, healthy lifestyle, beginning in the fall, we made all Malley Center fitness classes free to students. Funding support ($40,000) for this initiative came from members of the Parent and Family Leadership Council. Over 700 students used their free fitness passes 1,843 times in the Fall Quarter -- a 92% increase in use over last fall. The free classes will continue for the remainder of the year to continue to encourage students to participate and stay active.
Office of Student Life
In the fall, the University launched an Emergency Meal Fund to address the needs of our students who experience food insecurity. The campus community—students, faculty and staff—have been generous in donating meal points, gift cards and cash to this effort.
In January, the Division of Student Life expanded the program to include a new food pantry. Non-perishable goods are available to students in need at a location adjacent to campus. To date, 25 students have requested access to the private pantry.
Residence Life
In the fall, Residence Life staff members initiated focused conversations with their residents. These interactions provided an opportunity at an early stage to recognize and help students who were struggling. Trained student staff members offered resources to their residents that included referrals to pertinent campus departments for help. They used JED's life-skills categories to focus on matters such as sleep, nutrition, academic challenges, emotional well-being, relationships, and more.
During the fall quarter, Residence Life staff engaged in 2,595 unique conversations in the residence halls. The top five topics discussed with residents were:
1) Involvement on Campus
2) Stress Management
3) Academic Resources/Referrals
4) Self-Care and
5) Careers and Majors.
Thank you, Jeanne Rosenberger and your many dedicated staff members and students. You have advanced our programs and activities to deal more effectively with student mental health issues. Our work in this regard continues and is evolving. Many of you have been allies in your own way to students, colleagues, and other members of the community. For this great care, I thank you. Jill Rovaris in CAPS has announced further training sessions for this month, and I encourage you to attend and learn to recognize signs of distress.
II. CAMPAIGN PROGRESS: THE PUBLIC PHASE
On January 19, we launched the public phase of our campaign, Innovating with a Mission: the Campaign for Santa Clara University, with James Taylor and 2500 guests in attendance. We completed the first half of our Campaign’s leadership or “quiet” phase. Donations and pledges totaled $570 million.This is quite a good start.
I commend Jim Lyons and the University Relations division on the successful launch of the public phase of our comprehensive campaign. This past Saturday, we welcomed 300 alumni, parents, and friends at our Los Angeles campaign launch event. We have additional regional launch events planned between now and May: in San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Chicago, Denver, and New York City.
University Marketing and Communications has created wonderful campaign marketing materials that include a campaign video and a campaign website at campaign.scu.edu. This office is also embarking on a marketing campaign to promote Santa Clara University across the Bay Area and nationally.
Drawing on our Integrated Strategic Plan, University Relations created new categories as follows:
Opening Doors (goals 5 & 6):
- $97M raised for scholarships
- $12.8M for diversity and inclusion scholarships (students of color and first-generation/LEAD)
- $58M raised to strengthen our Division I Bronco Athletics.
Educating the Whole Person (goals 1 & 2):
- $10M raised for Finn Residence Hall
- $5M contributed, from corporate gifts-in-kind to upgraded classroom technology
Innovating for the World (goals 3 & 4):
- $170M raised for the Sobrato Campus for Innovation & Discovery
- $9M raised for Markkula Center programs on ethics
Let me offer a few examples of what donors have decided to support.
- Betty Young and the faculty and students in Physics honored alumnus Geoffrey Fox and his spouse,Josephine Fox. The Foxes donated $1 million to the College of Arts and Sciences to support REAL, for students’ summer research opportunities. Congratulations, Dean Debbie Tahmassebi, for launching this successful program.
- The Sangiacomo Family Foundation of San Francisco honored the memory of one of their ancestors, Fr. Angelo Affranchino, SJ, who taught music here at Santa Clara until 1879. They donated $2 million for student scholarships at our Jesuit School of Theology, AND, I am happy to announce, $300,000 for student scholarships in Music, as well as $200,000 for Student Disabilities.
- Trustee Kapil Nanda and his spouse, Margaret Nanda, coordinated the creation of a $1 million scholarship for students with financial need, and graciously named this endowment for my parents, the Donald and Marie Therese Engh Scholarship.
We continue to raise funds for student financial scholarships, endowed faculty positions, and programs.
All these achievements resulted from the dedicated work of campus partners with University Relations who included members of the President’s Cabinet, deans, executive directors of the Centers of Distinction, athletics directors, and many faculty and staff champions. I look forward to our continued collaboration and energy with alumni, parents, and friends of the University.
III. A RETROSPECTIVE OF TEN YEARS OF PROGRESS
Permit me a few moments to look back over the past ten years at all that we have accomplished together. I am proudest of those results that arose from the widespread collaboration that we have experienced. I enjoy seeing where we were and how far we have come. Together we have crafted a legacy that has strengthened the University and benefited our students.
As I share a few slides, I shall comment on a few items - and not tell the story of each one listed. For the full list of highlights, please visit the online version of this text.
We refreshed the University Strategic Plan refreshed in 2011 and Dennis Jacobs led the creation of the Integrated Strategic Plan (2014)
Student Statistics
- Average SAT scores (first-year students): 1220 in 2009; 1370 in 2017
- Over 10,000 Applicants in 2009; over 16,000 in 2018
- 4-year Graduation rate: 77% (2005-2006 cohort), 86% (2013-2014 cohort);
Academic:
- Increase in number of Tenure-track faculty lines: 50
- Initiation of a post-doc consortium among for universities to recruit highly talented and diverse faculty to Santa Clara
- Merger and Integration of Jesuit School of Theology (2009)
- Directive to Increase Student Nominations and Awards
○ 1 Stanford Knight-Hennessy winner in inaugural class of 2018
○ 8 Fulbrights of 8 semifinalists
○ Three Rhodes Scholars since 2009
○ 1 Schwarzman Scholar named in inaugural class of 2016 - Miller Center Fellowships: Global Social Benefit Fellowship, established in 2012 with gift from Noyce Foundation (Ann Bowers); 121 GSBF fellows to 2018.
- Law School right-sized; Intellectual Property Program ranked #4 in the US
- SCU’s first-year retention rate of 96 percent ranks the highest of any master’s university in the country (2018 US News and World Report)
- Leavey School of Business placed in the top 100 (at 64) for Best Business Programs (2018 US News and World Report)
Finances:
- Came through the Great Recession
- Endowment numbers: $515M in January 2009; $920M in September, 2018
- Total Fundraising 2009-2018: Approximately $685M
- Sustaining Excellence Project, 2016-2018
- Balanced budgets every year, save one.
- The budget the Trustees approved for next year includes 3% merit raise for faculty and for staff; 2nd year in a row
- Financially, we are strong, and our Moody’s rating confirms this stability and prudent management.
Campus:
- Developed or renovated 878,400 gross square feet of new program space at Santa Clara University (approximately 1/3 of the entire campus environment as of 2018)
Diversity:
- Ongoing Implementation of Unity 4 proposals
- Established Office for Diversity and Inclusion (2013)
- In 2010, 32.4% of assistant professors were faculty of color. By 2015, 43.9% of assistant professors were faculty of color.
- Created Blue Ribbon Commission on Diversity and Inclusion (2016) and prioritized recommendations
- LEAD Scholars for First-Generation Undergraduates: increased over 10 years from 30 to 90 first-year students; and added 15 transfer students.
Athletics:
- Elevated the Position and Hired new Athletics Director
- Blue Ribbon Commission on Athletics recommendations adopted by Board of Trustees
Community Relationships:
- Thriving Neighbors Initiative of the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education, a program dedicated to scholarship, teaching, and sustainable development.
- East San Jose Campus opened
- Established ExCEL Teacher Training for Catholic Schools, funded with $1M gift from the Sobrato Family Foundation.
Prominent Visitors to Campus
As you can see, Santa Clara University has been fortunate to have some of the greatest thinkers and successes of the world visit our campus and share their vision with us. From the Dalai Lama, to Cornel West, to Condoleeza Rice, to our very own Steve Nash and Leon Panetta, the list is significant. And today, I am pleased to add to this list by announcing our 2019 Undergraduate Commencement Speaker, Mr. Martin Sheen.
In my inaugural address, I reflected on the need for Environmental Justice in our world. Since that time, the Office of Sustainability has grown into Center for Sustainability with additional staff and programming. The Center has fostered a culture of sustainability across the entire University Community. In that spirit, I signed the Climate Neutrality Action Plan. A number of faculty have are now planning a Conference on Environmental Justice and the Common Good in May 2019. Let’s take a minute or two and see what else is happening.
IV. LEADERSHIP AT SCU
Having taken a look back, I would now like to focus on the road ahead. Each month, you have received a message from the Presidential Search Committee on its work in identifying candidates and hiring a new leader for the university. I am pleased that the Committee announced that it will propose to the Board of Trustees a revision of the hiring protocols first drafted in 2008.
I also want to take this opportunity to address the changes in university leadership. Santa Clara has a number of leadership positions to fill across campus—President, Provost, and two deans. While this might be an alarming challenge to some, I believe that the University is amidst an exciting moment of evolution. Yes, there will be a level of reassurance when these positions are filled. I suggest, however, that without turnover, new leaders would not have the opportunity to bring new perspectives and share fresh ideas.
With our rich, 168-year tradition, Santa Clara University does not only endure, it thrives. We are not dependent upon any single individual for our success, but we have a dynamic culture here.
And what makes Santa Clara University so unique? Our community. We are successful because we are made up of individuals with different experiences, divergent worldviews, and diverse interests. We have brilliant faculty, devoted staff, and ambitious students who care about our institution and its place in the world. We will not sacrifice our mission of excellence and our vision to change the world because of disagreements that may arise along the way.
Like any family, our foundation of love and care for our neighbor will endure. As Mother Teresa once said, “None of us, including me, ever do great things. But we can all do small things, with great love, and together we can do something wonderful."
The state of this university is beyond a single individual; we are confidently approaching a horizon where will see the dawn of a strategic, innovative, and principled class of fresh faces that will guide this institution into the new decade.
V. HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY
To conclude. Let me return to the message of the hymn, “Cornerstone,” so beautifully presented by our Chamber Singers. Humanistic education stands as the cornerstone of all Santa Clara education. The humanities are the much scorned and even rejected cornerstone in contemporary society that does not recognize the power of the liberal arts. The Humanities engage the imagination and foster creativity. The Humanities nurture risk taking, foster critical thinking, and they inspire us to imagine a whole new world.
Inspired by the imagination for a new world that the Humanities create for us, I began my inaugural address ten years ago with a poem by American poet, Mary Oliver, entitled Song of the Builders:
On a summer morning
I sat down
on a hillside
to think about God-
a worthy pastime.
Near me, I saw
a single cricket;
it was moving the grains of the hillside
this way and that way.
How great was its energy,
how humble its effort.
Let us hope
it will always be like this,
each of us going on
in our inexplicable ways
building the universe.
As true ten years ago as it is today, we-- as individuals and as an institution-- have the opportunity to shape the universe, grain by grain. Key to this task, however, is how we do it. Do we make our impact “with great energy and humble effort,” or do we reject and shun anyone heading in a different direction? To continue to thrive in building the universe, we need to do so in awe of the people around us. In awe of their effort; in awe of their individuality; and in awe of their power as changemakers in God’s world.
It is my hope that Santa Clara University continues to pursue the challenge to build a better world, not brick by brick, but heart by heart. This is the humanistic education for which we strive: the education that places a value on our agency, our autonomy, and our ability-- inexplicable as they may be.
It is only when each of us, individually, makes the effort to see with our hearts that we can understand Oliver’s idea of what it is like to sit to ponder God and notice the smallest most humble beings around us. In doing so, we will know that all persons can thrive at Santa Clara because of the long Jesuit recognition that the Divine reveals itself in all peoples of good will whose traditions promote kinship, tolerance, and mutual respect.
As I have said so often, our world needs Santa Clara. To teach values. To promote the Humanities that ground our ethics and democracy. To discover the world. To challenge beliefs. To look at all sides of an issue. Yes, the world truly needs Santa Clara, and to that I add, Santa Clara needs each of you. Yes, the University needs you to keep the mission alive, welcome all persons, continue to build a universe of inclusion and compassion, grain by grain, and heart by heart.
Thank you, and God bless you all.
Michael E. Engh, S.J.
President