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Chancellor Marye Anne Fox held an hour-long Web chat with students at UCSD on May 24. The following is a transcript of the chat. |
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| mafox> |
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Hello and welcome to my "Chancellor's Chat." As we begin to wind down the 2004-2005 academic year, this seems a good time to look back over the past 9 months and contemplate the adventures we've had and the lessons we've learned. The biggest lesson I've learned this year is that the UCSD community is fully aware that we are on the verge of an institutional quantum leap forward -- you can see it in all the construction going on around campus and in the increasing global attention paid to the fruits of our research -- and everyone is detemined that we must manage this growth phase wisely, because we won't get a second shot at it. I've also learned that two groups of UCSD shareholders are very eager to have a greater say in where UCSD should be heading, and they are our alumni and our students. With that in mind, I am eager to exchange ideas and insights with you, and I am very glad you are able to join me as you take a break from writing papers and preparing for finals. |
| Shelley: |
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What are the most significant differences between UCSD and North Carolina State? Is there anything you miss about North Carolina? |
| mafox> |
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In Raleigh, Division I athletics requires more of the Chancellor's time than at a Division II school and I found that refreshing |
| Monique: |
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What is the most fun thing you have gotten to do this year as chancellor? |
| mafox> |
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A walk on the beach on my inauguration weekend with my family was a wonderful event |
| Rachel: |
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I've heard you are woking to improve the quality of student life on campus. Can you tell me more about that? |
| mafox> |
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I am eager to hear the report of the Student Life committee. The group has studied the issue for nearly a year. Student life is incredibly important to the future of our institution |
| Qian: |
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Do you ever read the Guardian? |
| mafox> |
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I always read the Guardian to keep up with student issues and activities |
| Triton_22 |
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What did you think of your first Sun God Festival?
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| mafox> |
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Tremendous fun and wonderful to see such interaction among our students |
| Al: |
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What has been your biggest challenge, and how did you handle it? |
| mafox> |
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Budget cuts, I guess. It's been difficult for every area of campus |
| yee: |
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When will UCSD re-open the path down to Black's Beach so we can go surfing again? |
| mafox> |
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There was a mudslide and I understand that we need to make sure that it is safe for everyone |
| mafox> |
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So, what have you learned this year? |
| Sam: |
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What kinds of issues do students bring up during your office walk-in hours? |
| mafox> |
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All manner of questions ranging from student life to personal career advice. I have found the walk-in times to be a superb way to interact with students and learn what's important to them |
| Christie: |
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Have you had a chance to visit Tijuana? |
| mafox> |
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I'll be traveling to Tijuana in the coming months as I become more familiar with our region and the people |
| mafox> |
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I would like to hear from you about some unique experiences you have had this year. Anyone? |
| mafox> |
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Are there issues that you would like to bring up at this time? |
| Al: |
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Campus wise, how do you like UCSD compared to you previous one (NC) |
| mafox> |
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UCSD is a top flight institution...incredibly creative faculty and great opportunities for students to interact with our faculty. And the arts on campus are diverse and wide-ranging |
| Triton_22: |
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I liked doing the 5K run, do you think it will continue? |
| mafox> |
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Absolutely. This year will be our 10th year. Any ideas on how to make it really special?
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| smith: |
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It seems as if parking is too expensive and it seems like we should not charge the same to park in Regents and East Parking as we do to park on campus |
| mafox> |
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Parking on any campus is difficult and is a real challenge. And transportation must be self-supporting, so the rates help to ensure appropriate and adequate parking |
| Triton_22: |
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If it's 10 years, make it 10K =) |
| mafox> |
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Maybe a 5K AND a 10 K
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| Triton_22: |
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Where will the new University House be located? |
| mafox> |
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President Dynes has the authority to make that determination |
| mafox> |
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We'll soon be thinking about the coming academic year. What suggestions do you have for me in the coming year? |
| deb: |
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Have you accomplished as much in the past year as you hoped to? |
| mafox> |
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I have set my sights high, and am happy about some areas and want to go forward in others. I'm pleased with our increased emphasis on diversity with the Chief Diversity Officer and my meetings with various groups through the year |
| asparker: |
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There should be grants professors can use to organize events with students - mixers, talks, etc. There isn't enough of an opportunity to interact directly with faculty
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| mafox> |
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I agree. interaction with faculty is helpful to students in determining a career path |
| deb: |
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Being accessible to us when we have questions - you have done well with that in the past year. If you continue to respond as you have, that's all we can ask |
| mafox> |
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Thank you. I intend to continue the outreach with students and I invite you to meet with me during the walk-in hours ....or if you see me on campus |
| asparker: |
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I think professors should also be asked to organize or host one event outside of class for each quarter they teach. Students complain a lot about the lack of opportunity to get to know their professors |
| mafox> |
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I will see the Academic Senate today and will pass along this suggestion. We know that interaction with the faculty is a clear indicator of student success. |
| mafox> |
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I will encourage the faculty today to consider this challenge |
| mafox> |
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I enjoyed the Stellar Students event this year. Did any of you attend? |
| asparker: |
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what is the university doing to try to slow the trend of housing for students disappearing in the area surrounding UCSD? All of the apartment communities are becoming codos and we have to live farther away and commute more. |
| mafox> |
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We are hoping to build more on-campus housing. |
| asparker: |
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Coming from a school in the ACC, why do you think students seem unhappy socially at our school? |
| mafox> |
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Why do you think that students at ACC schools are happier? |
| Katie: |
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What are your plans for the summer? |
| mafox> |
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I am going to a meeting with university president and European rectors to talk about the future of higher education in June |
| mafox> |
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Also, I will return to Singapore so that we can strengthen our international linkages |
| mafox> |
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For those of you graduating, what are your plans? I will want to talk about what our students do after graduation when I meet with alumni |
| lori: |
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I heard that you are thinking about banning freshmen from having cars are campus. Why are you considering that? |
| mafox> |
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This was a suggestion from a writer to me. I thought it was worth putting out there for students to consider |
| mafox> |
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As I travel into the local community and across the state and nation, what would you suggest I tell potential students about ucsd? |
| asparker: |
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I think the best thing I've learned here is independence. At a big university you can't always rely on other people to take care of things for you. I feel like much more of an adult than I thought I would. |
| mafox> |
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Congratulations....it sounds like you have learned to learn, which I believe is a key predictor of lifetime success |
| Triton_22: |
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When are we going to know what Sixth College will be named?
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| mafox> |
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The process is back within the College, and I anticipate they will hold important discussions about the criteria for an appropriate name. |
| asparker: |
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What is a typical day at work life for you? What do you spend most of your time doing? |
| mafox> |
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Usually, it begins at about 7 a.m. and involves appointments through the day. I often have dinner engagements in the evening as part of the ongoing capital campaign |
| lee: |
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What are your views on offering athletic scholarships? |
| mafox> |
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I am awaiting a recommendation from the faculty. The issue will be discussed at the Academic Senate today |
| mafox> |
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What is your view, since some of the funding is proposed to be from student fee revenue |
| lee: |
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What are your thoughts on the college system? Have you ever thought of getting rid of it? |
| mafox> |
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No, the alumni tell me that College system was an important part of their growth as a student and it provided a strong sense of community |
| ctgirl: |
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Type hereWhat will we do about the poor experience of African Americans on campus? Did you read the UT article about this? |
| mafox> |
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Yes, I read the article and was dismayed. We are committed to expand the pool of applicants. To achieve this, we must interact with the schools. That means student outreach and I will pledge to work with the UC President. It is our hope that the Governor and the legislature will respond to this need. |
| themind: |
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Re: athletic scholarships: On one hand, UCSD will be more attractive to athletes, but on the other hand it might dilute the quality of the education. It all depends on what the ultimate goals of the campus are. |
| mafox> |
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I do not think it will necessarily dilute the quality of education. Athletics and academic excellence are not mutually exclusive in my experience. |
| Triton_22: |
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Did your first year here fly by? |
| mafox> |
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The quarter system is very differnet from the semester system. It makes the time go by in a different way. |
| asparker: |
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what's the biggest thing you want to change for the undergraduate students? |
| mafox> |
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More housing so more students can have a full and richer living and learning experience on campus |
| Charlie: |
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If the United States is falling behind other nations in educating students in science and engineering, what steps can university leaders take to reverse this trend? What can we do here at UCSD? |
| mafox> |
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Yes. A recent visit to Singapore underscored this. Everywhere I visited at National University I saw magnificent laboratories. The investment by the government in science and engineering education is incredible |
| student55: |
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If you could change any one thing about the campus, what would it be? |
| mafox> |
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Greater resources to support the student experience |
| ucsdmoderator> |
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Chancellor, we are almost out of time, are there any last questions that students would like to ask? |
| carrie: |
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What is your favorite spot on campus? |
| mafox> |
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My laboratory |
| Erik: |
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[Re: Undergrad housing] I agree that it is an invaluable experience to live on campus as an undergraduate, and especially as a freshman. Does this goal mean adding more colleges (Seventh, Eight, Nineth Colleges...)? |
| mafox> |
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Our enrollment management plan is scheduled to bring many more students to campus by 2012. We will need to discuss whether a Seventh College will be needed. |
| samIam: |
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How did you feel about the bad press we got from the Koala TV? |
| mafox> |
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I was proud of the AS student leadership to address this question themselves |
| mafox> |
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Thanks to all the students who joined me in today's chat. I really enjoyed this exchange and I hope all of you have a safe and rewarding summer. To those who are about to graduate, I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors, and I ask that you please stay in touch with us through the UCSD Alumni Association. To those who will return in the fall, enjoy the next few months with your families and friends, and we look forward to seeing you back at UCSD in September. |
| samIam: |
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can you ask faculty and administrators to eat in the dining halls more often so we can see them more? |
| mafox> |
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Yes, I will be happy to |
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