ASU President Speaks on State of the University - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

ASU President Speaks on State of the University

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October 15, 2007

Albany - - Albany State University's President talked about the future of ASU with students and ASU supporters and gave them a chance to tell him their ideas for the university. Dr. Everett Freeman gave the first State of ASU. 

He's been on the job over a year and he wanted to share progress made at Albany State University.

"It's something we ought to do in order to give our family members an opportunity to know where we are and where were going," Dr. Freeman said.

He refers to students, faculty, and alumni as family members. He met with them Monday night for the first State of ASU Address.

"College really is a conversation and we cant have a conversation unless we engage."

Freeman spoke of improvements being made on campus, like increased enrollment, more money for new buildings, and improving the school's Quality Enhancement Plan to better track student performance electronically.

But the town hall meeting wasn't all about praise.

"It really doesn't take a lot of effort, it really doesn't take a lot of personality changes," one attendee noted during the open forum.

Some of Freeman's "family members" criticized him for not being visible enough. They claim he doesn't interact with them as much as the former president did.

"We are accustomed to the Portia Shields. With time, with change, you do have to adjust," says Student Body President Jazzmine Randall.

We asked Freeman if he felt attacked by the criticism.

"No. In fact, if you're among family members, you should be able to have a family discussion...even though I'm there, if they don't see me, they need to feel me, they need to see me and say 'oh there's my president,'" he said.

Albany Mayor Willie Adams praised Freeman for helping drive ASU's economic impact to the city.

"Without a good leader, the institution fails. I'd like to be on record in saying Dr. Freeman is doing an excellent job at ASU," Mayor Adams says.

Overall, most agreed progress is evident.

"Were definitely moving forward with great strides a lot of it due to President Freeman," Randall added.

And his family members standing beside him.

Freeman says he plans to create an Executive Cabinet with an open door policy to improve communication between him and students and faculty.

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