Wednesday, October 10, 2001

Economy may inhibit progress, Ferrari says
By John-Mark Day
Staff Reporter

A year after the Commission on the Future of TCU, Chancellor Michael Ferrari said much has happened in a short time, but future progress will be tempered by the downturn of the economy.

“I remain optimistic, but it is tempered,” he said.

Today is the one-year anniversary of the close of the Commission, and Ferrari said many goals have already been implemented. The most visible change was the renovation of 82 classrooms and the addition of close to $7 million in new equipment, he said.

Despite the recent progress, Ferrari said he expects a slowdown in development in response to the recent economic slowdown following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

“The major uncertainty right now is the new reality of economic uncertainty outside the university,” he said. “This is a different time, different place,” he said. “This is a time to be more cautious. The timing of any further initiative will be very sensitive.”

Ferrari said future changes are now outside of the university’s control because the endowment has declined in the past six months and economic forecasts are not good.

“The pace is now directed by external factors,” he said. “Most of these things cost money.”

Larry Lauer, vice chancellor for marketing and communication and executive director of the Commission, said the Board of Trustees made classroom renovation a priority.

“We accomplished some of those things faster than I thought we could,” Lauer said.

“They moved it so quickly to the front of the agenda (it was completed) over the summer.”

Lauer said other changes, like the renovation of the recreation center and the completion of the new Tucker Technology Center, are also in line with the Commission’s recommendations.

“(They were) already in the works during the Commission, but reflecting the needs the Commission was finding,” he said.

The re-evaluation of the University Curriculum Requirements also came out of the Commission and is currently being evaluated by the UCR committee, he said.

Lauer said the most important change to come from the Commission was an increased visibility for the university. The Commission involved more than 500 people, half from outside the university, he said.

“That created a very large group of informed stakeholders,” Lauer said. “Now we have all these people who feel close to us.”

Ferrari said the next phase would be the renovation of teaching labs, studios and the lecture halls in the Moudy Building.

John-Mark Day
j.m.day2@student.tcu.edu