Welcome back message from President Haas

To students, faculty, and staff:

2008 has arrived and the winter semester will be underway in just a few days. I want to welcome you back to Grand Valley, and ask that you to join me in greeting Dr. Jeanne Arnold, our first-ever vice president for inclusion and equity. I think you will come to like and appreciate her as much as I do. Please take the opportunity to attend one of the receptions being planned to welcome Dr. Arnold. Dates and details to follow.

I also want to ask for your active participation in a critical event that takes place just once in a decade --- the re-accreditation of Grand Valley State University by the North Central Association. Provost Davis and her team are fully prepared to manage this vital engagement. This effort is being led by Dr Julia Guevara and assisted by many others across all university departments. There will be much analysis and activity throughout 2008, culminating in the site visit to Grand Valley by the NCA accreditation team in Oct. Given Grand Valley's enviable quality and reputation for student-centered success, I am confident in the outcome. If you are asked to be part of this process, I hope you will agree; your assistance will benefit the entire campus community.

I am also happy to report that our campus construction projects are on time and on budget. The inconveniences we presently endure will soon give way to more classrooms, faculty offices, student activity space, and housing. I hope you will feel well served by the result.

Thank you for being part of Grand Valley. Marcia and I wish you the best for the coming year.

Very respectfully yours,

Thomas J. Haas
President