January 12, 2017

• There is concern amongst faculty and staff about Valdosta State consolidating with another institution. VSU needs some way to stand out as being small. We need to create an identity.

• VSU’s College of Education and Human Services has a large percentage of the enrollment. Recruitment is an issue in the College of Education and Human Services and the university as a whole. Recruitment is effective when it is personal. VSU needs to establish close relationships with the high school counselors in each school in our recruitment area. We need to work harder at recruiting within the small school systems.

• There is a lack of communication. Major projects are often not known about. VSU is a LEAP (Liberal Education and America’s Promise) school. There needs to be a map that connects big things that are happening on campus.

• There is a lack of attention as to how things are done on campus. There are a lot of discussions and no follow through. VSU is not as transparent as it needs to be. Valdosta State needs to clearly articulate its vision.

• Valdosta State’s efforts with its deaf population have been hurt, possibly because of the consolidations of other institutions. There is concern the program could implode. VSU is at greater competition with others now because of mergers. The institution needs more resources. Valdosta State has amazing faculty, but we need to be at the next level to compete.

• VSU is just like an engine. All the pieces need to work. Successful teaching is the fuel. Strategic decisions need to be made.

• VSU needs to focus on what we do well. Promotion and Tenure is “all over the board.” VSU needs to look at its Core Curriculum and program offerings because neither has changed in many years.

• Valdosta State does a good job with literacy. The library is the hub of the university for information and research and should be utilized more. There needs to be a focus on information literacy. Let’s build and collaborate between the library and departments.

• There is concern about silos on campus and the lack of communication. There is innovation happening on our campus.

• Students say there is not enough to do on campus. The campus events should be communicated better throughout the campus community. The gap between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs regarding the communication of events needs to be bridged.

• Interim positions at VSU should be stabilized.

• Please review the previous Strategic Plans. There are some good ideas in the plans, but there needs to be accountability for follow-through of the plans.

• The question was asked if the plan for adding faculty that was previously presented to Dr. Brown would move forward. President Carvajal stated that future budgets and hiring decisions will need to be aligned with enrollment trends.

• The question was asked if there are plans for Valdosta State University to be consolidated with South Georgia State College. President Carvajal stated that he is not aware of any plans to consolidate these two institutions.

• VSU’s Town & Gown relationship needs to be improved. There also needs to be a transportation system for the area.

• VSU is a fun place to be with bonding experiences.

• Please visit VSU’s Camden Center.

• There are several events scheduled in the near future including the Opera, Tunes for Tots, and the Symphony.

• Please improve communication to the campus about all events.

• The marketing videos are great! There is still a lot of pain at VSU, especially among faculty, due to the recent cuts. It will take a while for faculty to regain trust.

• Like Columbus State University, VSU needs to create a relationship with Valdosta’s downtown area as well as the state legislators. Morale is low due to instability.

January 13, 2017

• In the past VSU has been portrayed in social media and the national media for negative reasons. We need to ensure that we are going viral for positive reasons.

• VSU’s graduate programs set us apart from others. Some programs don’t have the faculty to cover the classes. We need to focus on graduate classes like our undergraduate classes.

• How is Valdosta State moving programs forward and drawing in more students? How can we market better?

• Because of the loss of faculty VSU is doing more with less. Let’s return to investing in faculty and providing resources for faculty.

• Staff are the bedrock at VSU and are heavily invested in the institution. Our institution is plagued by multiple initiatives and not enough employees to support them. We need to focus on only a few and do them well.

• If we move to more online programs it takes away from importance of the on-campus experience.

• It would be great if Dr. Carvajal and people in other major departments would stay for a long time. It is difficult to get projects completed with constant change in leaders.

• Graduates don’t always have jobs lined up. How can Career Placement be of assistance?

• VSU needs to look outside of ourselves. Build relationships with community and the region. Also, students are looking for something to do.

• VSU has not become the flagship of the region like it should. We need to commit to becoming one and do whatever it takes to make sure everyone knows who we are as an institution. Say it over and over until people start believing it!

• Valdosta State struggles with our voice of who we are to the community. Sometimes at VSU, we are our own worst enemies. We need to realize that we are a family and need to protect it. We need a culture of positivity and we need to spread the good word.

• Continue to focus on retention and inclusivity. Students frequently express that they come to VSU for certain programs and supportive inclusive groups (i.e., American Sign Language, Gay/Straight Alliance).

• Let’s (re)establish traditions for students/alumni of VSU. Student Affairs needs to be more innovative with arranging events for students, including engaging students and encouraging them to attend events on campus. Admittedly, it is hard to engage students when many are focused on social media and electronic devices.

• VSU needs to make a commitment to developing faculty and staff. Hopefully, the level of commitment will continue and increase (leadership academy, etc.). The faculty needs mentorship. How do new people get tools they need? Please keep supporting development among new faculty, staff and administration.

• A stronger emphasis needs to be placed on active military and veterans. VSU needs more activities to engage them and emphasize that they are important.

January 17, 2017

• VSU lost Biology faculty who had major grants. There is a lack of course offerings in upper level Biology classes due to the loss of faculty. There are more African American students majoring in Biology. Programs need more support and to take pride in the racial diversity.

• VSU should help Latinos feel more welcome on campus and encourage them to become more engaged.

• There are many people in the region with VSU degrees. There are far more positive comments made about Valdosta State than negative comments regardless of a couple of negative situations in the past.

• A lot of people love and appreciate their jobs at VSU. Many people just don’t say it enough. There are many grants available to everyone on campus.

• Students would like a well-known speaker to come to campus and speak as part of the Courageous Conversation events. There are links on the Social Equity page of past Courageous Conversation events.

• Student-centered programs have suffered due to the recent faculty cuts. There are many great faculty members at VSU. Faculty need to feel encouraged to participate in more student-centered programs.