An article published in the Lexington Herald-Leader about Morehead State University on August 18, 1984.https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/college_histories/1111/thumbnail.jp

Lexington Herald-Leader

English

Morehead State University

NEW PRESIDENT AT MOREHEAD URGES CHANGE OFFICIAL DECRIESPROBLEMS WITH IMAGE, STANDARDS, ADMINISTRATION OF SCHOOLMOREHEAD - Morehead State University's new president, Herb Reinhard, said yesterday that he wasdissatisfied with the school's image, academic standards and administration, and warned faculty and staffmembers that unless sweeping changes were made, "we'll fall further behind the pack.""We've got far more than our share of problems," Reinhard, who took office in July, said in his first addressto faculty members and staff. "I ask each and every one of you to look at Morehead State University andthink of its excellence - not dwell on its problems."We must begin to believe in ourselves and work towards resolving our problems."Reinhard, who has reassigned all four of the school's vice presidents to other jobs and eliminated thepositions of three of seven deans in the past few weeks, submitted his administrative reorganization plan atyesterday's meeting.Among many changes, the plan calls for eliminating one vice presidency, reducing seven deanships to fourand streamlining the academic units to two colleges - arts and sciences, and professional studies - plus aSchool ofApplied Sciences and Technology."Our organizational structure is tremendously confusing. We have too many administrators," he said. "Youhave been 'ad hoc-ed' and 'task-forced' to death. We need to streamline."Reinhard also called for the university to work toward 10 goals that will ''make this fine university much,much finer."Among the goals are improving faculty and student morale; improving the university's relations with thecommunity and the school's overall image; and reorganizing the school's structure to eliminatebureaucracy, cut costs and increase efficiency.Other goals include adopting tougher admissions standards; strengthening academic standards; reviewingand updating university policies, including the faculty handbook; and establishing a program to improveAugust 18, 1984 | Lexington Herald-Leader (KY)Author: Roger Nesbitt Herald-Leader staff writer | Page: A1 | Section: MAIN NEWS718 Wordscommunications among faculty, students and administration.Reinhard also called for beginning a faculty evaluation program by the fall of 1986 and a similar program foruniversity staff by Jan. 1, 1985, and for developing an improved maintenance program.Reinhard expressed the greatest concern over the school's image, academic standing, attrition rate andphysical appearance.One of his first comments was in reference to the widespread news coverage of the recent controversybetween the board of regents and former President Morris Norfleet. Norfleet, who resigned as president butwas later named the university's chancellor of corporate relations, is involved in a contract dispute with theregents."We've received more publicity in five weeks at Morehead State than we did in five years at Slippery Rock,"Reinhard said in reference to the Pennsylvania college where he was president before coming to Morehead.Reinhard added that the university badly needed to improve its image with the press."We need to be an institution that says to the press, 'Come and look at us,' " he said. "We've had some badthings said about us lately (in the press). The press doesn't make the news. We do."Reinhard then expressed dissatisfaction with several academic aspects at Morehead, including its students'scores on the American College Test, anentrance exam."Our scores are second from the bottom among institutions in the commonwealth. We must immediatelylook at our academic standards," he said."And I find it difficult to believe that a student can work a schedule at Morehead State University where hecan leave school on Wednesday and return on Monday. But that's the case in some instances here."We also must look at our attrition rate, one of the highest you'll find. Some would call us a revolving-doorinstitution."Reinhard said that the surrounding hills gave the school an attractive natural setting but that "our campushas not been well maintained. We have many older buildings in poor condition. That's not the type setting wewant."He encouraged faculty and staff members to offer written suggestions for his proposed reorganization plan.He said he would accept suggestions until Aug. 31.Reinhard's "pep talk" included a warning against mediocrity."With over 3,000 colleges and universities in these United States, our competition is vicious. Students havea wide choice, and we have got to be able to guarantee that we're giving every student a fair opportunity fora quality education."I came here for one reason, with an expectation to mesh my God-given talents with yours to make thisinstitution better. I want us to compare ourselves to more than just our sister institutions. I want us to be ableto say that we're a class act."© Copyright (c) 1984 Lexington Herald-Leader

New President at Morehead Urges Change, Official Decries Problems with Image, Standards, Administration of School

https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1111&context=college_histories

New President at Morehead Urges Change, Official Decries Problems with Image, Standards, Administration of School

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