President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Table of Contents
Introduction
Academic Advancement and Degree Attainment
Summary
What We Do Best
What We Can Do Better
How The President Should Spend Her Time
The One Thing The President Should Do
To Advance Clarion I Will

The CU Student Experience
Summary
What We Do Best
What We Can Do Better
How The President Should Spend Her Time
The One Thing The President Should Do
To Advance Clarion I Will

Financial Capacity
Summary
What We Do Best
What We Can Do Better
How The President Should Spend Her Time
The One Thing The President Should Do
To Advance Clarion I Will

Faculty and Staff Success
Summary
What We Do Best
What We Can Do Better
How The President Should Spend Her Time
The One Thing The President Should Do
To Advance Clarion I Will

A Culture of Planning, Assessment, and Continuous Improvement
Summary
What We Do Best
What We Can Do Better
How The President Should Spend Her Time
The One Thing The President Should Do
To Advance Clarion I Will

Communication, Listening, and Dialogue
Summary
What We Do Best

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Communication, Listening, and Dialogue, continued
What We Can Do Better
How The President Should Spend Her Time
The One Thing The President Should Do
To Advance Clarion I Will

A Solid and Visible Leadership
Summary
What We Do Best
What We Can Do Better
How The President Should Spend Her Time
The One Thing The President Should Do
To Advance Clarion I Will

Civic Engagement
Summary
What We Do Best
What We Can Do Better
How The President Should Spend Her Time
The One Thing The President Should Do
To Advance Clarion I Will

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Introduction
After 90 days of listening to students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university, I have
compiled the following report as an attempt to chronicle what I heard. My listening included
an online survey completed by over 150 respondents, three open forums, many group and
departmental meetings, both on and off campus, in addition to personal conversations with
over 2,000 individuals. The result is nearly 70 pages of comments organized into 8 categories:
1) Academic Advancement and Degree Attainment; 2) The CU Student Experience; 3) Financial
Capacity; 4) Faculty and Staff Success; 5) A Culture of Planning, Assessment, and Continuous
Improvement; 6) Communication Listening and Dialogue; 7) A Solid and Visible Leadership; and
8) Civic Engagement.
Within each category the feedback was further divided as to: What Clarion University currently
does best; What Clarion University could do better; How should the president spend her time;
What is the one thing the new president should do this year; and What will I (the respondent to
the online survey) do to advance Clarion. Regarding the information from the on-line survey,
the text is presented exactly as received except any specific names of individuals or
departments except mine were removed. I will review confidentially specific details with the
individuals named. All information regarding any individual respondents was also removed.
These efforts have been taken to ensure a level of civility and confidentiality while making clear
the intentions of respondents.
This report has formed the basis of my individual plan of my action for the next 500 days of the
presidency from October 2010 – May 2012. The individual plan is presented in a second report.
I thank everyone who took time to comment to me personally, in groups, and on line. My hope
is that in many ways you will find your best thoughts regarding Clarion University in this report
and the subsequent plan. While I have been clear that I can not guarantee everyone’s
satisfaction with this university presidency, I can guarantee everyone’s involvement. Please
consider this report evidence of this commitment to inclusion as we all work together to ensure
Clarion University’s future success.
Fly Eagles Fly!
Karen Whitney
November 18, 2010

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Academic Advancement and Degree Attainment
Summary:
There were many expressions of pride in Clarion’s long history of academic excellence and hard
work. The points of pride included not only what is taught but also pride in how we teach and
whom we teach in terms of increased numbers of students who are first generation students,
students from small communities, and students who may not be fully academically prepared.
There was also a large set of comments regarding what challenges Clarion academically as an
institution. Class size, course availability, course scheduling sequencing, financial aid, and
advising were most often cited as areas for improvement.
There were many comments advising the president on ways to contribute. Perhaps the
response that best summarizes the comments of many and one that will resonate with us as we
move the university forward is a comment advising the President as follows:
“I hope that she will treat faculty as the experts that they are, and send the message that academics are
valued at Clarion. While financial stability is important, it is merely a means to an end, not the ultimate
mission of the university.”

The Comments:
What We Do Best
Teach small face-to-face classes
Provide caring, friendly and supportive student/teacher and staff relationships and advising
Provides a strong well-rounded liberal arts education
Manageable/comfortable school size – not too big or too small
Provide hard working passionate Professors who are committed to their students and programs
We teach small face-to-face classes providing a supportive student/teacher/advisor
relationship.
We teach academically challenged students as well as many first generation students.
We provide a well-rounded liberal arts education.
Teaching.
Many dedicated and excellent teachers.
Clarion provides well developed academic enrichment services for the students.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Clarion has a good ratio of Professors to students. The staff is always ready to offer assistance
when needed.
Generally speaking, we have a very dedicated faculty who care about students' future careers,
hopes, and aspirations
It provides World-class education (as suggested by its accredited programs) at an affordable
cost (thanks to State sponsorship).
Teach
Care about students
Provides a great atmosphere and good support outreach for student learning.
Provides a wide variety of degree programs.
Clarion provides an equal balance between quality education, facility capital improvement
programs and athletics.
Clarion offers many wonderful educational programs and is well known for these programs.
I feel Clarion is doing a great job educating and preparing its students for life after Clarion.
Athletic teams and other organizations are also helping to keep the university in the forefront.
I believe that what we do best is exactly what we should do best... Educate students. We hold
ourselves to a high standard and ensure that those standards remain there with accreditations
and continuing education for our faculty and continuing upgrades to our facilities.
Serves the community and fulfills its mission to higher education, including opportunities for
students in western and north western PA.
Clarion has wonderful opportunities for distance education students.
We are known across the state because we educate teachers well.
We provide a small, safe, happy campus atmosphere where instructors and advisers know
students individually.
We work together to provide the best possible learning opportunities for our students under
less than optimal conditions.
I am new to Clarion and an online student. Thus far, the personnel that I have had contact with
have been great.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
We provide a really high quality liberal arts education to students of varying backgrounds. We
have very strong faculty who are dedicated. We are very collegial.
As a former student and now a staff member for 10 years, I feel that the connection between
faculty/staff and students is amazing. In the forum, several professors mentioned this, two of
my former professors in fact, and they were very accurate. The professors (now friends) that I
met directly and indirectly guided my success. As someone who was not focused in high school
(I think the only reason I graduated high school is because the teachers did not want to deal
with me anymore), the psychology professors, specifically ….. and ……, guided me to graduate
with honors.
teach at every moment (whether we know it or not)
I believe Clarion University focuses on students as a primary concern in all areas. I believe
faculty and staff work together to find what's best for students and to provide as much
personal attention as possible. This is the one area where everyone pulls together.
Provides a friendly learning environment with several quality educators. Many of the faculty
genuinely care about the academic advancement of their students.
Clarion, I think, is best at offering extra-curricular activities, qualified faculty and recognized
degrees.
Clarion provides exposure to ideas and experiences for students who come from rural areas,
allowing them to grow in all aspects of the educational experience.
Clarion provides a quality education.
Deliver a first rate education at a reasonable cost. As I'm at the Venango campus with many
nursing students, I'm impressed with the significant number of non-traditional students.
Work to educate students
CUP provides educational, cultural and economic leadership in the county
Teaching students who have little or no family background in college.
Provides a great learning environment for students.
Academics, student life, and the Foundation is developing well with still plenty of road ahead...
Classroom education. The business and biology departments are the most notable outside of
the University.
Provide a solid education at a reasonable price.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Educate local students for the global environment.
From an academic point of view Clarion has a number of outstanding programs. It is not
diplomatic to single some out as better than others but if everyone were to list their top ten
there are several that would stand out. That fact that we have so many nationally accredited
programs illustrates areas of excellence--things we do best. But even among those some are
stronger than others.
Emphasizes teaching as its mission; faculty and staff care about students' success, in and out of
classroom
Meet students where they are and help them get to where they want to be.
We educate our students well. We provide individual instruction to students with smaller class
sizes.
As a graduate and receiving my masters degree, I thought that I was well prepared for teaching
in the elementary school system. As a former principal and seeing the many student teachers
that passed through the Brookville Area School district and the hiring of many new teachers
from across the state, I believe that Clarion University produces qualified teachers.
Faculty and staff really care about the "whole" student, the curriculum, and promoting the
university. Clarion is fortunate to have a workforce with tremendous energy and professional
ethics.
CU provides quality education at an affordable price.
Clarion University provides various high-quality majors and programs that other universities do
not feature, such as Speech Pathology. Clarion students also benefit from various grant-funded
programs, such as the TRIO programs, that many other universities in the state do not offer.
Clarion has forever been dedicated to the training of educators from the days of Clarion Normal
School. Although there has been diversification, the education fields continue to be a large part
of Clarion's focus. Training of future teachers is a forte.
We offer high quality, nationally competitive professional educational programs.
Effective teaching: numerous students with limited educational background graduated and
became very successful.
High value education at low cost with excellent student mentoring (my experience has been
with science departments but I believe it extends to all departments).
The Venango Campus does an excellent job with 2-year associate degree and specialized,
industry-related training programs.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Teach
Teach!
Library Science, Special Education, Speech Pathology. Good business school.
Clarion University does Academics and Academic Enrichment very, very well.
We are proud that we have the most accredited programs in PASSHE.
Clarion has the 4th largest Library Science program in the country.
The business program is one of the best
The bio-sciences are strong
Humanities class provide students with experiences which help them think critically and
develop a broad base knowledge
We are proud that we create opportunities for students who would not have a college
opportunity.
Provide research and professional opportunities
Small classrooms
The Honors Program
Our teacher Ed program is one if the beet in the state.
What We Can Do Better
Need to expand STEM efforts
Course scheduling is a problem in that students are not able to get the courses when they need
them in order to keep on track to graduate on time.
Scheduling arts and sciences courses has been a big problem in that they are hard to get and
have caused students to take longer to complete their degree.
Some times we are inconsistent in our delivery of programs... We need to standardize our
helping efforts across the university
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
More routinely support Internship experiences that lead to jobs
Offer classes in a timely manner to the students who need them
Provide students with the quality degree they were promised when they entered as freshmen
Graduate students in a more timely manner
SMALLER CLASSES
Need to enroll more men, we want a balance of both men and women on campus
Need to add academic programs that are of interest to men such as criminology, sports
medicine, sports training
We need to start offering doctorates
Add more graduate programs
Connect international study abroad to getting a good job
Emphasize science and technology
Consider an Ed.D. Program
The class sizes are getting way too big, and the university is losing its "personal" feel.
Class sizes have crept up, classroom space and facilities have been reduced, the faculty has
shrunk, and we have been encouraged to focus more on getting certain numbers of students
into our programs than on the rigor and usefulness of the education they are receiving at our
hands.
Scheduling has become a very big problem. I have had students tell me they are leaving the
university due to the fact that they are unable to get the courses they want and need.
The Education Department developed a Strategic Plan that we are endeavoring to implement,
but are consistently told that there are no resources. It seems that we need to re-examine how
the available resources are allocated, and identify possible additional resources.
Clarion should offer masters and doctoral degrees for people who work full-time
You should offer credit for prior learning
Maintain high standards in academics.
-Class size -- Large classes impede faculty interaction with students
-Number of temporary faculty
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
More admin. willing to listen to faculty and staff concerns and stop overriding conduct board
decisions, canceling/adding courses at will and disrupting a major's course sequencing, and
forcing dept's to over enroll students causing concern about accreditation.
I have heard some freshmen/sophs/parents complain when they think they are coming to a
small student/fac. ratio school and then have classes that are SRO and then scheduling comes
around and the first two years they can't schedule what they need and transfer out.
Support academics.
I feel we are being pressured to put classes online. This issue needs to be addressed. We are
turning into a Phoenix.
Support small programs instead of penalizing them.
I believe we may be hurting the one thing we do best when offering limited sections of
undergrad classes, particularly in the arts and sciences. It has been very difficult for faculty to
help students through the registration process when all course sections are closed.
Add more sections of in-demand classes to provide an opportunity to graduate on time. Many
majors need classes during daytime to minimize evening travel for commuters. Also needs to
downsize management on campus, we do not need Assistant Vice Presidents in charge of Toilet
Paper, or Director's of Paper Shuffling. Clarion is too management heavy and falling short on
clerical staff.
Make the Finals schedule easier to understand. Get rid of attendance policies: students pay to
be here; whether or not they show up to class is their decision, the university gets paid
regardless.
Better financial, educational and cultural (integration) support for students who come from
diverse backgrounds, especially qualified international students and faculty. Promoting diversity
and tolerance.
Start here: Less campus construction, more TEACHING!!! We don't pay for Starbucks (and don't
need more), we pay tuition to LEARN!
In the current tough economic times, it seems that the quality of education is being
compromised. The number of students has increased while the number of faculty has
decreased. Students cannot get the classes they need; in the art department, students should
be able to complete the foundation courses in 2 semesters, but most students will take at least
3 semesters because classes are not available. This is tough on both faculty and students. Let's
get the numbers right.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
I think that the university should look into developing a few programs in specific fields such as
education and see if we could provide the classes necessary for students to earn their
doctorate.
Being an older student, I feel there is a need for different programming for returning adults. I
have no need for Arts and Humanity classes, or a gym class. I could use that money towards
classes that are geared toward my degree. I understand the need for English and Math, by why
Biology, or Art? There seems to be more and more returning adults, and I feel there is a need
for better programming for us.
I am concerned with the limited class choices for incoming students, as well as the increasing
class sizes.
Fewer class choices and larger classes take away from the CUP experience.
Cut the class sizes; devote money to the Venango campus (especially the science labs) instead
of putting it all towards new buildings on the Clarion campus; allow for more full-time hires
instead of filling the spots with part-time repeat hires; increase the diversity of class offerings
on the Venango campus to meet the needs of the students.
I think that Clarion should consider having a way to have alumni connect more and in different
ways with current students...maybe as mentors.
We need to better serve our students by finding a way to have the academic resources to serve
underprepared students (of which we have many). By this, I mean adding faculty to teach the
courses that they need (English and Math in particular) to do well in upper-division courses and
reducing class size (so that professors can give these students the attention that they need and
deserve). I see doing this as an ethical response and an investment in our students -- in terms of
retention and in terms of their own futures as citizens and professionals. I know that adding
faculty is expensive, but it's also expensive (and not just in dollars) to recruit and then lose
students who could 'make the grade' if they were given the tools to do so.
I mentioned this to you briefly this morning. We are admitting students who have potential but
we need to invest more in their up front experiences. We do not really have a developmental
program and we need one desperately. We need developmental mathematics (even an
arithmetic course), or progressive self-paced work in a computer lab equipped and staffed. I
teach 60 students Elementary Algebra. The national standard is 20 students in a developmental
classroom. Yes, we offer the course, but we do not optimize our students' experience. We have
a similar situation with reading. We are almost afraid to test our incoming admits' reading
abilities since we have no Reading classes at all. We have one course called Reading and Study
Skills, in which we try to help students acclimate to college requirements, but it, in no way,
helps them to do higher level critical reading tasks. There simply isn't time. The English
department claims English 110 is not developmental, in which case we need a developmental
writing class. These classes do not have to count for college credit, since they can count for
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Financial aid credit if students are assigned those classes through some sort of standard applied
evenly across the board. We admit students who are not ready to do college level work, which
isn't fair to them, the faculty, or the students in their courses who are ready. As a participant in
the Kellogg Certification program for developmental education, I was taught what was needed
in a good developmental program and we simply do not have it. That would be fine if we did
not admit students in need of developmental education - or - if we had a local community
college to which we could refer.
Provide classes for its students. We are doing a pitiful job of planning for student's needs. Many
students struggle to get appropriate classes.
Clarion University could do everything better once the students, who have been recruited,
arrive. There aren't enough faculty; therefore, class sizes are getting ridiculous. Also, the morale
of the faculty is the worst that I have ever seen it…..
I think that the university could focus better on targeted areas to advance, create or develop. I
don't think we can be all things to everyone we need to pick a few things to move forward
more aggressively with. Only in the past few years have we been successful in new academic
programming. Part of that is more aggressive marketing of these programs as well as the
university as a whole.
It is my humble opinion we need to become a more focused University. This includes the
curriculum we offer and the current communication structure.
Revitalize the curriculum
We need to do a much better job of making courses and seats from the College of Arts and
Sciences available to incoming freshmen. The situation has gone from okay to bad to worse.
Offer more classes/open seats in classes
Research; with the continued state budget cuts, Clarion University must "make up the
difference" with sustainable research grants. Clarion University has to find a balance between
teaching and research and not just emulate the larger research universities but define its own
model.
Clarion could do a better job of scheduling courses so you can graduate on time. Need to offer
enough courses and a sequence that's let's you get through in 4 years.
Academic advising could be better so it's clearer about what you need to take to feet the
degree you want.
Have more peer mentors as a way to convey info.
Develop good and engaging classroom activities.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Connect the curricular to the co-curricular
Work on the overall campus climate
We need more students working out in the community doing research, internships, and
practicum.
Create ways that students and faculty can help the community solve problems --- students and
faculty come from all over and may have experiences and ideas that could be helpful.
Be distinctive.
What’s the reason students should come to Clarion? What is our major draw?
One idea we could be distinctive which considers the unique strengths of the area: "Natural
Resources" + content area (i.e. nature education; natural resource management, eco-tourism,
natural resource ethics, ecological sustainability, natural healing, etc.)
It’s important to prepare our students for fields that have jobs. When teaching jobs are scarce,
how do we help students pursue their dream to be an educator and to do "learning work"?
What do we do within their bachelors? Post bachelors certificate? Graduate work?
How do we translate what we do (teaching, scholarly work, service) into practice?
We need to be clear about our approach regarding international efforts.
Are we a transfer friendly campus? How can we do better?
Analyze the "leaving profiles" of students. Who is leaving and why?
Where are we with: Adult Degree Completer Program;
Being a school of choice for transfer students;
Must continue with what we do very well and be willing to pursue new practices and lead the
way --- variable course scheduling, offer different terms of different lengths year around,
offering courses when our students want them, must be willing to try different approaches -assess the approach -keep what works and drop what does not work.
Expand the ROTC program to the size of Slippery Rock University's ROTC since the two schools
are similar in size
The Gallery would benefit from an endowment.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Better support for activities such as the debate team which is important but not as popular as
football. Work on creating more graduate programs.
Study abroad coordination-it should not be a professor on 1/4 time release. You do not need a
Ph.D. doing study abroad coordination.
I am concerned about the constant turn-over at the Center for Advancement. I don't know
what is causing people to leave so quickly after they are hired; but it is hard for an alumnus to
establish on ongoing relationship with someone at the Center. I don't think this constant turnover is good for raising donations for Clarion.
Improve the library’s selection of books. If you find a book from 1960 your extremely lucky as
that’s a new as they get. The public library which depends on meager local taxes has a 5 times
better selection than the university’s which has how many thousand students spending around
40 grand by the time they are done. If the university can dish out one million for a dining facility
it can afford to get new books for the library
Be more accommodating to online students. Currently, I am fighting to get access to my
Reference letters. I marked the box that indicated I did not waive my right to access them.
Clarion failed to provide me with a handbook of sorts that apparently indicated that I must
come to the campus. When I viewed the Student Rights Handbook, no where did it say that and
now I am being handed a bunch of excuses from the …. about policy and the handbook is not
for graduate students. I will pursue this legally if need be since Clarion is failing to meet the
needs of the growing online education population.
Reach a higher level of integrity.
The President Should Spend Her Time
Solving the "minor" problems of Clarion, largely ignored in the past, which are making it nearly
impossible for the Clarion student to have a satisfactory educational experience
Continue to shape curriculum to allow us to remain not only the most highly accredited
member of PASSHE, but to expand our offerings to meet the demands of students in the next
20 years.
Making sure that accommodations are made for distant online students. This is the way of the
future for education.
What happens to the students who don't make it at Clarion?
How can we improve student retention?
The region needs a 2 year college (community college) -- Clarion can not be all things to all
people.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
That's a tough one! As an educator, I would like to see a continued effort on strengthening
academics and the academic programs. My close second recommendation is answered above
and below in the question above and below.
Getting to know and understand the academic programs and students' problems, and
accomplishments
Pay attention to those minding the small stuff. This is essential, and the big picture fails if the
little details are over-looked.
Listening is a great start! (Thank you!) I would love to see additional sections of classes for
students. It seems unfair to students to spend large amounts of money on tuition only to find
out that they cannot take the classes that they need. I know of some who were advised to take
only 12 credits instead of 15 because advisors could not find any other courses open for their
advisees to take! But this is going to mean hiring additional faculty!
Balance the pursuit of student excellence with the reality of the current economic state of
affairs. I'm afraid that we may overgrow our enrollment and that we will be unable to provide
the excellent student service that has been our legacy.
Straightening out the university administration. Taking charge of the university and letting
people know they need to come to work and do their job and not push their work off on other
people who are not qualified to do the work.
Also, allocation of faculty lines is done without regard to the needs of programs and students.
Someone in Carrier needs to be looking at the numbers and not allow the deans to reward their
friends. It hurts the students.
Our mission can be advanced by the President taking the time to understand the unique culture
of both the university and the surrounding community. Figure out what we are doing well and
support it, and then help us to change within the areas in which we desperately need to
change. This will be accomplished by getting out and talking to the faculty and staff members
who are the "front line" and who know the truth of what is happening at Clarion instead of only
speaking to upper-level administrators who sometimes have little idea of the "real" situation.
Workloads at CUP need to be examined seriously, because there are some folks here that are
doing the work of 3 people while others are not even doing the work of 1 person. It is a waste
of resources.
Be the lead brain stormer
Be the picture person
Figuring out a way to promote diversity and diversity acceptance on campus

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Become familiar with the academic programs, facilities, and faculty
The One Thing the New President Should Do
As a former student and current employee, it really concerns me that class sizes are getting so
large. I would like to see the university try to figure out a way to keep class sizes more
reasonable.
Keep the ship afloat.
Maintain academic programs and academic integrity.
Restructure academic affairs
I hope that she will treat faculty as the experts that they are, and send the message that
academics are valued at Clarion. While financial stability is important, it is merely a means to an
end, not the ultimate mission of the university.
I know it may be difficult because of budget issues, but I think it would help the students if you
can find a way to offer more sections of general education classes to make the registration
process less stressful for everyone.
Put academics first while balancing the budget.
Create a doctoral program here at Clarion University.
Helps the various departments that have pending programs move these programs forwrd.
Bring doctoral programs to the university
Help the HPE dept grow
I hope that the President will visit the individual departments, programs, and offices that make
up Clarion University. The President needs to get to know us in order to assist us in being our
best.
Also, it looks as though the PASSHE Chancellor will soon issue some "Strategic Directives" for
International Programs, in addition to our President's Office establishing some kind of a "Due
Diligence" procedure. What I have experienced in 6.5 years as an International Programs
professional in Mexico is that faculty champions are key to establishing and achieving successful
international initiatives; adding layers of administrative duties to their already busy schedules
might end up killing even the existing initiatives!
I hope she will gain an overview of academic programming and student engagement in the
various majors to evaluate CUP's areas of strength and need.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
As a graduate student in the education department, I hope the president values face-to-face
interaction and collaboration as a part of learning in the same way that I do. Though I felt
confident beginning a largely online Master's program, because I already know the teachers
from my undergraduate work and would be living nearby so help was readily available, I'm
realizing that I miss out on a lot when the time spent collaborating with my peers is so highly
limited. I would like to see Clarion cutting down the number of online classes and increasing
face-to-face interaction so the quality of the Clarion education will improve. As an
undergraduate, I told everyone what a fantastic undergraduate program I was involved in. For
my graduate program, I've been telling people about the excitement of my one and only
classroom course. I'm also very distraught to learn that the other course I was supposed to take
in person-- Practicum, which was pulled this summer when I needed to be able to take it-- may
not run once again this summer, and may be considered for development into an online course.
The opportunities that are afforded to students who have opportunities to engage with other
learners are invaluable, and should not be taken for granted. Clarion University cannot afford to
become an "online college". The faculty here are a valuable resource that can be made best use
of by allowing them to teach a classroom full of real students with faces, ideas, opinions,
interruptions, and all of what creates the dynamic of a stimulating learning environment.
To Advance Clarion I will
By spending more time preparing classes, doing research, and advising students.
I would do my best in advising, research, teaching and community service.
Spend more time on teaching, advising, and research rather than on endless committee work. I
would like to update and upgrade our department's programs, and I wish we had more help
and support on this.
By dedicating time to preparing and improving course material for my students, and serving
Clarion goals outside of the classroom.
I want to bring the best artists and their work to campus to increase exposure to new work and
new ideas. But, as with most other areas, I need a realistic budget in order to accomplish my
goals. Art plays a significant role in our culture and in how we see ourselves and thus is central
to the academic pursuit.
If she can create a doctoral program I will spread the word and encourage people to take their
classes here.
I am willing to help with a committee of returning older students, and hopefully make a change.
I will do my best to do my part - work hard at my job, participate in the university community
and be supportive of members of the university community as they do their part.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
I have already worked for a year trying to clean up the Chemistry lab on this campus. It is a
mess. I would be more than happy to work on drawing up plans, writing letters, fundraising,
going to meetings, etc. There is no room for my research, the students work in hazardous
conditions, there are not enough resources for them to do their experiments; I can't even do
appropriate demos in the classroom.
I'm ready to submit a proposal for a doctorate
By doing my best across teaching, service and scholarship.
Teach and interact with my students with energy, time, and the very best I have to offer.
I want to help Clarion achieve its mission for community involvement through the grant
program that I operate. With additional respect and support from the university, my program
could work in cooperation with other university offices in order to promote the university's
image within the community even more than we do now.
By advocating for my department and college.
By completing my PhD and using my expertise in Leadership, Organizational Development and
Human Resource Development to foster student and faculty professional development. Work
with the …. as veterans liaisons to draw in more veterans and 9/11 GI Bill recipients.
Whatever it takes to help all of our students create the best academic and co-curricular
experiences that they can with the ultimate goal of graduating.

The CU Student Experience
Summary:
There were many expressions of pride in the student experience at Clarion including overall
strong feelings of community and belonging. The points of pride included not only feelings of
involvement but also comments about the importance of student-centered services such as
admissions, advising, financial aid and housing to the overall experience. The central
relationship most often mentioned was the relationship between students and faculty around
the common ground of teaching and learning.
There was also a large set of comments regarding what many believe challenges Clarion’s
student experience, including the need to restore and expand student services, programs and
facilities. There were many comments expressing frustration with enrollment related services
such as financial aid and course availability. The physical environment was also frequently
mentioned as needing improvement such as landscaping, sidewalks, and learning spaces.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
There were many comments advising the president on ways to contribute. Perhaps the
response that best summarizes the comments of many and one that will resonate with us as we
move the university forward is a comment advising the President as follows:
“Become a student-centered institution--an institution where decisions are based on how they will impact
student learning and the student experience, as opposed to placing the primary focus on how decisions will
impact faculty/staff.”

The Comments:
What We Do Best
Although only in a dorm one year, it was critical to her foundation for the rest of her time. I
think Clarion does residence life well, but importantly also provided sound orientation and
encouragement directly from the President.
Creating a safe and supportive community for students
Provide a nurturing community for students
Admissions is a welcoming place
Students don’t feel “lost in the crowd” in comparison to the way they describe their
experiences at Indiana or California
We have a beautiful, friendly campus. Most departments offer exceptional student service. We
have caring, dedicated employees from faculty, support staff, maintenance, custodial,
Administrators, Managers, and everyone in between.
My professors want to know me and they know me by name.
Professors are very respectful of my special needs as a student
Makes students feel BIG but with a sense that they are still cared about. Not just a number.
All of the thoughts mentioned at the open forum are very true. I love the family friendly
atmosphere!
What Clarion University does best is that they treat everyone like family. Whether you are a
new incoming freshman or an alumni, the doors are always open to you with faculty and staff
ready and willing to help.
Teach 1st generation, non-traditional, and academically challenged student populations
The learning support center has been a big help to me.
There are great student activities and intramurals and clubs
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
I fell in love with the campus and with the admissions staff.
I felt safe, secure and loved when I was a student at Clarion
The Band
Require students to meet every semester with advisors.
Clarion has great plays
We listen well
At our best, we provide students who come from diverse economic and educational
backgrounds a supportive environment for learning skills and knowledge that prepare them for
life and work. We teach students in relatively small classes led by professors with terminal
degrees and devotion to teaching and to their students. I will make these comparisons based
off of the other institutions I have worked for. Harvard, U of Pittsburgh, U of Oklahoma and
Oklahoma State.
Clarion works well with students who might not be able to attend a 4 year school because of
economic and/or academic shortcomings. I feel we have given these types of students a caring
environment that allows them to grow and flourish. I also feel we take extra steps to help these
students learn in a caring and supportive social environment.
Clarion cares about students and helps them develop through on-on-one engagement and
mentoring.
For the most part, Clarion University is an institution that cares for its students and it opens
doors for and provides opportunities to first generation college students, like myself.
Orientation process for Freshman students was very informative and organized.
The campus is maintained very well.
Very impressed with the job that the campus security and the programs that are in place.
Care about its students’ welfare, safety, and academics.
Attempts to work effectively with diverse students.
Nice to people. Personal attention to students. Safe environment.
I love to go to Eagle Commons where I can have various food each I go there. It's even open on
national holidays. I also love going to classes that my teachers teaches and I can enjoy.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
As one of my colleagues said "Clarion's brand is people". We are attractive to students because
they feel faculty will not just teach them, but mentor them.
Engage students in thoughtful debate and encouraging good citizenship. Our students are
phenomenal leaders and learners.
The Alumni care deeply about the university
The Alumni Association is very active
Clarion does a great job at making a large institution feel small, tight knit, family, community.
The improvements made to many buildings on campus have only strengthened that feeling. I
felt it when I visited as a junior in high school and still feel it as an alumnus. As a professional
working in higher education, there is no place like Clarion/home!
We deliver a very high-quality education to our students (often first-generation college
students) -- and we do so because we are committed to excellence in our work. The "we" of
faculty, staff, and administration truly do work together well, with a sense of common purpose
and mutual respect.
Keeps the student first
Clarion makes the students feel like they are the center of the university's universe.
Clarion University is a magical place that changes lives.
Treats students as individual people who are each important.
We offer our students one-on-one attention. It is becoming much more difficult to do so
however; with class sizes increasing. I think the idea personal attention should be promoted.
To me, Clarion's legacy is in its ability to create solid, moral/ethical, contributing citizens. Our
successful students become successful leaders.
Everyone at Clarion is nice
Everyone really cares about me
Clarion is a place that gives people second chances Clarion helped my kid be successful

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
What We Can Do Better
Recruit and retain more diverse students
Provide more student support for the academically challenged
Value and reward good advising
Civility and respect should go both ways.
In my opinion Clarion can care for their students better. In my four years at Clarion I have had
three bad experiences at Clarion. The first was a professor who mistreated the students and
when several students went to the Dean they were told that he wouldn't do anything, the
second was when a temporary professor refused to return materials until 2 months into the
next semester, and the most recent is Financial Aid not being able to answer any questions.
Limit class size for freshmen classes; in our Dept. freshmen classes range from 50-90 students
per section. I believe this may help with the retention problem.
Gay students have been harassed at Clarion and faculty have known this and have done
nothing. Faculty and staff have stood by and done nothing.
As we grow we need to continue to keep our approach to working with students personal
We need to find a way for students to graduate with less loan debt
Students could benefit from financial planning
It would be good if we could offer more jobs on campus for students
Student recruitment, need to make better use of the alumni to ensure that good students are
selected.
Alumni who live in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, New York, Washington DC, NE Ohio, Erie, and
Harrisburg will help with recruitment, you just have to ask us and tell us heat we can do to be of
help.
Alumni need to be asked to speak out more often on behalf of Clarion.
Provide affordable and reliable child care on campus for student-parents. Focus on the
different groups of students we serve rather than provide general programs that may not be
applicable to Non-traditional, commuters, minority populations, etc. Parking (I'm sure you
never hear that one). Provide stronger leadership within Student Affairs by finding a dedicated
individual who understands the importance of learning outside the classroom.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Student safety, specifically lack of sidewalk from campus to Reinhard Villages
More help with athletics. We seem to be very far behind the other state universities in budget
allocations. Get more of an alum base established.
Someone dropped the ball as far as the financial aid loan process. Things such as social security
and completed promissory notes went missing. The worst part is that many different reasons
and answers were given depending on which staff member was asked the question. There is a
need for accountability. The financial aid process should be done with before the first day of
classes. It is my understanding that Clarion is noted for not having this process done until the
last possible moment when other state colleges are wrapped up in advance.
My son was a freshman living in the suites last year. I was very upset after receiving a bill for
$211 at the end of the year for "dorm damage". His room mate also received one for the same
amt. so supposedly there was over $400 worth of damage done to the suite. I spoke to
residence life and they sent me details and photos of the alleged damage. The prices charged
for these very minimal things are outrageous in my opinion. I did file an appeal and the amt.
was reduced by $80. I think these charges should be drastically reduced. Between the room
mate and my son, they were charged $160 to clean the carpets. I could have the carpets
cleaned in my entire house for less than that! Don't they clean the carpets anyway each year?
Keep a tighter rein on Reinhard Village -Put a task force in place to screen students enrolled and
living there to make sure they aren't here under cover to push street drugs from Pgh. and
surrounding areas. Heroin is becoming a big problem.
Web and computer support could be stronger
More immediate - pull up dead bushes next to Carlson on the Stevens side, ask maintenance to
stop driving road-sized vehicles over the pedestrian walkway curb between Carlson and
Stevens, and the Rec. Center and Marwick-Boyd and other pedestrian walkways on campus.
The employees and students at Clarion appear to already understand the following statement,
based on our work and teaching environments, but it can always be increased.
Every conflict that occurs between two people can be traced back to one (or both) putting their
selves before the other. And every resolution occurs when one or both place the needs of the
other first. So, how do we apply this more at Clarion?
Provide adequate parking! I dread looking for a parking place when I get to campus. Build a
parking garage and many of us would be glad to pay to park there.
I don't like the issues with parking. The spaces are limited and the permit prices are horrible
when you are not guaranteed a parking spot.
Safety issue in walking from Reinhard Village to campus... Need a sidewalk
Career Services needs to bring more employers to campus.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Improve the interpersonal skills of our students so they are better prepared to land that first
job and perform as expected by employers.
At the last meeting, we discussed possible projects utilizing Clarion University students.
I would suggest a project that would increase Clarion’s web presence and Exit 62 as a
designation point for I-80, probably by enhancement with website keywords/meta-tags.
The student leadership in student organizations could do a better job of ensuring that the orgs
are welcoming to all students.
I think that the laundry system should be change slightly. I love that we can use eagle dollars to
do it. That was an amazing idea, but it hasn't seemed to prove to be as wonderful as it sounds. I
know that our eagle dollars machine in Givan is always broken. Just yesterday I went to use it
and the screen was blinking. I had no change and a lot of others didn't either. I feel like the
machine is wonderful, if it is in working order, but I also feel as though we need 2 different
machines. It would be wonderful if in Gemmel we had a machine that takes 10s and 20s to give
you 1 dollar bills. Plus a machine that took 5s and 1s so you could get quarters and then this
way if the eagle machines were broken you could get change last minute to do your laundry.
I would like to see ties with Greek Alumni strengthened or have the institution acknowledge
that Greek Life is not important in the future. Not knowing and not having a definitive plan in
place for Greek Life, makes me rely on what I hear and see. Perception is reality. I am tired of
only seeing Alpha Gamma Phi in all university publications. We all "know" they gave Clarion a
lot of money..but how much do you have to give to have your fraternity be given part of the
Clarion spot light and have Clarion forget all the bad stuff your fraternity did or allegedly do
I have a suggestion for the facilities & grounds area. I noticed that the HVAC equipment cage
for Harvey Hall has never had any landscaping added to soften its appearance & suggest that
those concerned might take a look at that.
Recruiting more diverse students and more diverse faculty
There is a gap in working with LGBT students, faculty and staff that needs to be filled. There is
no formal group or commission.
Where do you go if you are students, faculty, staff with a social justice issue?
Express more pride. . .we need to show our colors and our golden eagle pride
Need more campus police...
We need better computers
We need to improve our facilities … they look run down
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
We need more trees and fewer weeds on campus
Admission requirements should be reviewed. We need students who are thoroughly prepared
for academic rigor. We are admitting students with extremely low SAT scores...500-600-700...all
for the sake of enrollment numbers and money. I believe this is an unethical practice and is an
injustice to students as well. Research findings indicate that SAT scores are a strong predicator
of student success. I believe admitting students with low SAT scores are a contributing factor to
our retention problem.
Availability of classes for students is another area of concern. Students sometimes cannot get
the classes they need, especially Gen Ed electives. We are admitting students and have no
classes for them.
Another issue I am upset about is the changing of prerequisites after registration. My son
registered for Biology 202 for this semester after meeting with 2 advisors. In the catalog and
online the prereq. was Bio 155,156,165 and 166 which he had as a freshman. Near the end of
May he received an email from Dr. …. stating he could not take Bio 202 as he was missing the
prereq of Chemistry 153/163 and 154/164 which was "accidentally omitted from the catalog".
In 2 different catalogs and online those were never listed as prereqs. In fact, one of his Biology
professors even said to my son, now you can take Ecology (Bio 202) since you finished Bio
155,156,165,166. The email also said he could not take Bio 201 or 203 without these Chemistry
prereqs. They said if he took Chem over the summer then he could stay in the class but by the
time we received the email it was too late to get in Chem anywhere. Now he is a sophomore
and unable to take any of these 200 level Bio courses that are required for his major. I can see 5
years to complete a degree coming and am not happy about it.
Because Clarion is a predominantly undergrad university, the graduate student community
seems to disappear into the background. I'd like to see our grad students recognized
throughout the academic year for their work and achievements--not just at graduations and
award ceremonies. Alumni from our graduate school programs are doing great things and they
should be recognized for it.
I believe a great deal more time and energy needs to be focused on career planning and
placement.
Lately I have been extremely irritated with Clarion University. This is the start of my fifth year
here, and I feel that I would not even recommend my university to anyone anymore.
To start with, the financial aid office is a complete mess. The staff are very friendly people, but
I'm not impressed with the way they are handling my aid. I should have had my refund check
the first week of school, but when I checked my status, I found out that someone had miss
counted my credits and denied all of my financial aid. We're going into our fourth week of
school and my aid STILL isn't processed and I was told it was going to take ANOTHER 3-4 weeks.
I joined the army so they would pay for my school, and I could use the little bit of my refund to
check to help pay my bills so I didn’t' have to work full time. Call me lazy, but I'm a full time
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
student, a full time single mom, and I do have a part time job on the side, but it doesn't cover
much of our expenses. I am now a month behind on my payments.
Another thing I would like to bring to the table is the parking permit issue. I really want to know
why Venango Campus will not issue parking permits to their student if they have more classes
at main campus. Yes, Clarion is very greedy. I now must obtain a parking permit from main
which is $100 more. Do you know that it is 30 miles between campuses? So that is 60 miles a
day for me, 300 miles a week, and Clarion still has no courtesy to issue us a cheaper parking
pass? It costs me $40+ a week just to travel between campuses. I don't find that to be very fair,
and neither do other students that I have talked to.
Clarion is not student friendly, and I could also go on and on about specific professors who do
not have the students' academic progress as a focal point of their career. On the other hand,
there are a few, very good professors on campus that actually do care about their students. But
really, how is the financial aid office 3-4 weeks behind and understaffed? I figured Clarion
would take care of their students, but I suppose i was wrong, and thank you for setting me up
for failure this year.
-Classroom climate issues (harassment of gay student and faculty lack
of response)
Can't versus Won't- I believe that there are times when a student makes a request for
something and they are met with "we can't do that". I question if what the real answer is is that
"we won't do that".
Although I feel that there is a high quality of customer service on campus, but it can always be
improved.
Personally I feel we could better support our students-athletes who have chosen Clarion to
earn an education and continue their athletic career. For some reason we have not offered our
student-athletes preferential or priority scheduling. These students have time constraints
outside of their control because of athletics. We do not allow them the opportunity to schedule
classes first, ensuring a proper academic schedule that allows them to succeed in the classroom
and on the playing field. My … team must schedule class times according to normal student
scheduling rules. This has directly effected a number of my athletes because classes they
needed were closed by the time they could schedule. The problem herein lies within the
framework that we must adhere to. Our athletes must progress towards their degree
completion respective to NCAA rules. This has become an issue especially for our upper
classman who are close to graduation and only have a few number of acceptable credits
remaining on their schedule. Please consider priority scheduling for these student-athletes.
They are held to a higher standard than the average student, let's give them the proper support
mechanisms to achieve success.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Another area that is in DIRE need of improvement here at Clarion, is the advising of students.
I've dealt first hand with advisors that are not properly educated in advising and therefore sign
students up for classes that do not count towards degree completion. In my opinion this is
unacceptable for a student to be put into a class that they will pay for but does not count
towards their degree. Unfortunately those in advising positions are usually assigned this task
and, in turn, that makes some (a few) of them act apathetic towards the job.
Since tuition and fees have been raised, the students should get more for their money:
professors should provide their students with materials to do overly lavish projects, they should
also print the syllabi if they want students to have them.
First of all, the school should expend scholarship and Student Work Study Program
opportunities.
Because so many students who can't afford to come to the university borrow loans from the
Government, they should get chances to pay their tuition back while in school, but I don't see
many opportunities for the student work study program at the school. Most departments only
hire seniors or they don't give lower class students opportunities at all. I believe expending
Student Work Study program will lead the university to be get stronger because students do
not only get working experiences, but there also will be chances for the university to get
involved into community development by proving people more educational opportunities, and
it might save the school budget by paying work study students only the lower amount of salary
per hour.
We could help students (especially those "at risk") more through one-on-one engagement and
mentoring. We could provide funding that allows deans to create course schedules that meet
university demand.
We can do much more to invest in student retention and success. We need a strong retention
structure, clear goals, objectives, data collection and leadership. Currently there are too many
people with too many tasks, doing too many things, under too many leaders. The intent is good,
but the outcome is moderate.
Become a student centered institution. An institution where decisions are based on how they
will impact student learning and the student experience, as opposed placing the primary focus
on how decisions will impact faculty/staff. Also it could break from the status quo and strive to
become an involving college or a college that changes lives.
Career placement
Provide ample staff to offices which deal with thousands of students to avoid
complaints and dissatisfaction with Clarion U.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Retain more students; help struggling students make better connections to faculty, staff, peers;
emphasize globalization and diversity more, in and out of classroom so our students are ready
for the world after Clarion
Reach those students who haven't had good preparation for college academically and socially
by integrating retention resources and talking about it in each class that has a majority of
freshmen.
Celebrate, announce, and promote the academic excellence of its programs and its students.
We have more nationally recognized programs than any of the 14 state system schools, our
business program is in the top 15% of business programs in the country AND significantly less
expensive than most. Our students go on to be leaders in their communities and in industry... I
don't think we need to go over the top, but our humility is killing us. Parents are looking at us as
an also ran vs. a contender all based on their erroneous perception that our low bar upon entry
equates to low academic standards.
I feel that Clarion could use a lot more school spirit and pride. As a student, I can honestly say
that I've never been to a football game and have never really had any reason to have overt
school pride. I feel that we need to get back to a time where we can wear our blue and gold and
support our sports teams from the stands. Perhaps having a shuttle to and from the games.
Tailgates, Pep Rallies, Spirit Days, Posters, Signs. It is part of a college career to feel that you are
part of a greater whole. Like most of the big schools, PSU, Pitt, etc. They have large fan support
and it provides students a weekend escape and activity.
Recruit students who are prepared to be here both academically and financially; it is much
easier to retain them that way.
Recognize that Clarion isn't the place for everyone and that sometimes we need to help others
find their place elsewhere to better serve our community.
We need to improve student retention
We need to do a better job of enrolling students who can do well and graduate
We need more things for students under 21 to do for fun
Help students be more entrepreneurial -- encourage and show them how to take their ideas
and turn them into businesses.
The President Should Spend Her Time
Focusing on what is truly beneficial to our students in the long run
Always remember that the goal of this institution and others like it has to be to enable the
students to function in the real world, not utopia.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Can't versus Won't- I believe that there are times when a student makes a request for
something and they are met with "we can't do that." I question if what the real answer is that
"we won't do that."
Although I feel that there is a high quality of customer service on campus, but it can always be
improved.
Improving campus grounds.
Realizing not every student or staff/faculty member here is a 'good fit'.
Clean up the grounds and fix the sidewalks..
It would really be great for Clarion University to offer some kind of on-site or nearby childcare
to students who are parents. It excludes so many, taking away the opportunity to learn and
grow, if having a child means having to pay not only for classes but for a place for your child to
go while you're in class and having to search to find someone able to care for a child to begin
with. I don't think that Clarion's mission has ever been to make education available only to
those parents who can find good babysitters. It's a shame that the Siler Center is no longer
available and that no other facility is being put in place to replace it.
The One Thing the New President Should Do
Be visible, be energized and be accessible.
I hope that the new President will take the time to get to know the students.
Get a good feel of the pulse of the University.
I hope that in her first year, the President will bring back that sense of belonging and pride that
seemed to belong here years ago, but was lost along with most of the budget.
Strengthen/bring back student life! I am keenly aware of budget cuts and the dynamics of
student life today (more students working, not staying the weekend, etc.) but I really feel
student life is suffering. This is not meant to be pointed at one person or one department (well
maybe the Governor!)but a renewal of student life. Are students today enjoying the Clarion
experience today or running away from it?
Advance Student Affairs. Long term staff, the leadership (split between Advancement/Student
Affairs) and benchmarking of Student Learning Outcomes in the co-curricular experience are
key.
Revive the Siler Children's Center. It is inexcusable that a university not provide child care for
students, faculty, and the community. Students in our early childhood programs need to have
field experiences in such a facility. This is especially true after the recent change in PA teacher
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
certification requirements. The Health Sciences Center on W. Main Street sits empty - a real
embarrassment! - and might be used for child care if the on-campus facility is no longer
available.
I am a parent of a student that lives in Reinhard Villages. I would like to see a sidewalk
constructed between the village and the school campus. On my visits to campus, I have
observed students walking along that "highway" to the campus. When someone gets injured,
then a sidewalk will be constructed. I hope this is already in the works???? PS. Congrats on your
new job!!!
Anything accomplish is something that us students don't have to continue to work for. It would
be great if the dinning hall was bigger. I realize it was just built, but they messed it all up. My
friends and I needed a table for four people (so nothing truly out of the ordinary), we had to
stand by the soda machines in eagle commons for close to 10mins for a table to free up. I think
its crazy because what if I was in a rush to class and I only had 20mins. I just can't believe that it
has gotten that crazy there that we can't even find seat. I would hope there might be
something you can do about that.
Inspire students in the high schools and on campus to reach for greatness and to be all that
they can be.
Make the "Golden Eagle" (in the logo) Gold again, as opposed to Blue.
To Advance Clarion I will
In our mission and core values of Clarion University it states " We value the individual
relationships between student and faculty as central to the learning process"
With 75 to 100 students in a number of my classes the past four years I find it very difficult to
have individual relationships with students and myself in the learning process.
I would like to help Clarion achieve its mission by being the best student that I can possibly be.
I hope that as Clarion helps me realize and achieve my goals that I can influence future
generations to attend through example of the education and experiences that I will forever
carry with me!
Once again let me say that no one in the sciences has been more instrumental in getting
students jobs or into grad school.
I would like to discuss how we can develop relationships with local businesses and govt
agencies that provide a pathway for student employment.
Increase our students' exposure to the world outside our walls and our city limits
I would like to help in anyways that I can for student retention or recruitment
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
I would like to help design a systematic overarching method to motivate & educate our
underprepared students.
I am very student centered. I think that the administration needs to become more involved in
all areas of student life.
I'm willing to participate in activities that will help us to work together to support our students.
As an alumna of the undergraduate program and current graduate student, I would like to be
able to offer insight to students just beginning the program I've completed. I feel like a
mentorship opportunity would be valuable to provide guidance, support, and answers to the
questions faculty may never have given much consideration to. Even if the interaction were via
email or by phone, it would be better than nothing, and in the best case scenario, maybe those
alumni who have remained in the Clarion area could be involved so there really is someone
close at hand ready to help students when they need it.
By doing what it takes to serve our students.
(As an aside, a primary relationship to Clarion selection for this survey did not include "parent"
as a choice, so I selected "friend".) I am not sure how to answer the question, as the mission is
not succinct. Do students know what it is? Can faculty and staff recite it or the university's
values? As the mission statement was adopted almost 10 years ago, perhaps the new President
can revisit this to insure that the desired clarity is there. Then, translate it to something all can
remember and embrace. Also, I recall that I had opted to sign up as a parent volunteer and
never heard another thing about it. As someone that has attended many football games, every
ALF, and various events, I think I could have helped out more if asked. Parents are largely an
untapped resource and often only tapped for financial resources. What about parents that can
inspire students in the classroom also?
Create a dynamic Alumni Association that contributes to campus life on all levels.
I already do, by working on committees at different levels. I participate as actively as my own
capabilities and constrains permit. Count on my sustained enthusiasm and collegiality for the
future too!
I just want this to be the best place for students. The money and change machines would be
great, as well as, making the dining hall larger so people don't have to wait to eat.
As a student I was very involved in Greek Life, Residence Hall Association, Admissions
Ambassador, and the like. As an alumnus, with student affairs/Greek Affairs background I have
often raised my hand to assist in getting Greek Life to a place where we all want it to be. I again
raise my hand to assist Clarion and you in any effort you see me fit for. Clarion Proud!
I'm doing it through the Foundation...
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Be better able to serve my students in a more timely fashion.
In today's university environment, only a fool or a panderer would be on any administrator's
radar scope.
Participate in university governance, work with program students, volunteer my time in service
to the university.

Financial Capacity
Summary:
The greatest expression of pride for the university’s financial efforts was for the University’s
history of offering a college education at an affordable price to students. While taking pride in
our historic affordability there is an obvious anxiety about the university’s ability to continue
this commitment.
Comments on how to improve our financial capacity varied from suggestions on greater fiscal
oversight of our expenditures to descriptions of the long-term adverse effects of annual
reductions of the budget upon filling faculty positions.
There were many comments advising the president on ways to strengthen our university
financially. There were also comments that many are hoping the president will take a
leadership role to increase the financial capacity of the university to carry out its mission.
Perhaps the response that best summarizes the comments of many and one that will resonate
with us as we move the university forward is a comment advising the President as follows:
“Have a sound comprehensive financial plan for the university's future particularly given the serious issues
facing it.”

The Comments:
What We Do Best
Clarion is financially a good deal
Compared to many schools in the region, we provide a far less costly education.
Provide a quality/affordable education
Finds a way to charge students for services that are taken for granted or hardly used such as,
the Rec center and Keeling.
It spends money frivolously while ignoring the real meaning of education (and students).

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
CUP as a SSHE institution provides students a cost effective educational experience with the
added benefit of being small enough so that students do not become just a number. Students
are taught by professors, and experts in their field of study in small classes. Students are given
experiences and opportunities that prepare them for further study and ultimately their career
choices.
As a member of the Foundation Board, I would have to say that fund-raising and project
implementation are key items that are done well. I would also say, however that
documentation of fund-raising efforts could be improved.
Provides an affordable, quality education, in which students can get to know their professors
and university staff members
I still believe that Clarion University provides a wonderful educational experience for our
students. However, with budget concerns and the related cut back of hiring full-time tenure
track faculty and the cut back of necessary materials & supplies for faculty, I have grave
concerns about our future.
Work to provide a quality education to the university's students. We do this with resources that
are truly inadequate in many cases.
What We Can Do Better
We need to examine where our resources are being used. There needs to be more oversight.
Clarion could make better use of the resources that exist here on campus, instead of hiring
outside agencies.
Eliminate wasteful spending - put resources where they best serve the students.
I know these are extremely tough economic times, but I wish we could not always concentrate
on the almighty dollar. In my previous position, I was beginning to feel like the time was coming
that if a student came in and asked for a job application, I would have to charge them $5.00 to
complete it.
Distribute the resources equitably across campus.
Need to figure out how to financially survive in the face of declines in state funding
- It survives (I cannot say "thrives" as I perceive an increasingly demoralized organizational
climate) in an age of increasingly smaller budgets, greater red tape, and other resource
constrains.
A lot of printing costs (forms) have been moved to the department level with no extra
budgetary support.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Pay property taxes on the buildings and property that the University owns, including the
holdings of the foundation.
Less money for buildings, more money for programs
A lot of smaller programs are academically rigorous and their graduates get good jobs, but
these programs are penalized for not being more "profitable." This thinking is completely shortsighted and harmful to the university in the long term.
It needs to develop an ongoing funding source in addition to tuition and state appropriation to
support the general budget. Inadequate funding has significantly reduced the faculty (increased
class sizes) and limited the capacity to obtain and maintain technology for programs. Donations
from friends and alumni will not solve this financial problem.
We need more funding
Historically cuts in state funding have been made across the board. There has been a
tremendous commitment not to furlough anyone.
Must be more entrepreneurial.
The President Should Spend Her Time
Getting our budget in order, making us competitive for the performance monies available from
the state, finding the university alternative sources of income.
Getting money, advocating policies at state level that would help Clarion get more funding and
at least level the playing field with PASSHE schools in higher-population areas.
- Securing resources to create incentives for research and development of original knowledge.
It's important for the president, especially in these economic times, to seek out financial
resources and ways to preserve the financial health of the university. But I hope that the
president will also advocate strongly for our academic programs, especially those whose low
enrollments make them vulnerable but whose academic rigor make them valuable in the long
run to our students and to employers in our state.
A lot of resources (time, money, human) are invested in the athletic program, are we getting a
reasonable return?
Look at the athletic program and determine whether or not it is worth the cost and survey
students & alumni to see how important they think athletics are.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
The role probably requires a bit of spreading like peanut butter but clearly fund raising is
increasingly a major priority, particularly given the squeeze on state funding.
Bring in money and get the university in the public eye.
Analyze the budget priorities. We understand that the budget allocation reductions from
Harrisburg have necessitated changes, but we question how priorities were set. It is difficult for
the faculty to explain to the public (e.g. future students and parents) why we run
advertisements containing claims of low faculty-to-student ratios, and yet we spend money on
advertising, not faculty.
Usually, my pat answer to this sort of question is fund raising. So I will say it: fundraising. Given
the financial crisis of the state of PA, I'd like the president to find ways to keep the show going
without cutting faculty and staff.
Working to preserve funding for the University so that we can advance our mission.
In this fiscal climate.....prioritizing allocations according to need
There are two things I think a president should focus on. First, identify the major goals or
projects for the university and second find the money to make them happen.
We will need significant financial resources to have the impact we need, therefore a good
portion of the presidents efforts might be applied at securing those resources and supporting
work on grants.
Fundraising and visible leadership in the academic community.
Focus on maintaining financial viability of CU.
Fundraising at all levels and all sources; I wish that I wouldn't have to be so crass, but funding
drives everything.
Begin work to develop a new source of revenue.
Being a visible presence on campus and continuing to manage every penny in the budget
wisely.
The One Thing the New President Should Do
Look at divisions of responsibilities. Look at where finances are best distributed based on the
best practices/programs for the needs of students.
Getting money, advocating policies at state level that would help Clarion get more funding and
at least level the playing field with PASSHE schools in higher-population areas.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Never forget that some things are more important and worth fighting for than the all-mighty
dollar.
Review low enrolled programs/majors and cut the programs/majors. Put our resources into the
programs/majors that are thriving. We can't offer "every" major on earth.
Make it clear to the Chancellor and to state representatives that we are a valuable resource for
the community and state. Many faculty are worried about retrenchments and this is
demoralizing and counterproductive, and it harms the reputation of the PASSHE system. If our
President can find ways to prevent this University from resorting to retrenchment in the
following years, that would be the most important accomplishment I can think of.
I hope the new President will encourage the Athletic Director and Foundation to get the
wrestling program fully funded/endowed. We can not competitively compete at the Division I
level without proper scholarship dollars, facilities or underfunded coaching staffs. If wrestling is
the only Division I sport on campus, and is our premier sport because of this classification give
us the chance to be the nations best. Our programs history ranks amount the nation’s best.
Let's take advantage of this fact and get us back to proper standing. The Clarion name is known
for a few things around this country and wrestling is definitely one of them. If you, the
President, make a plea to our supporters (locally and nationally) we could be fully funded in one
calendar year! If you personally say it is a priority the backers will come!!
Keep tuition and fees from skyrocketing while keeping various faculty and courses available to
all students.
Raise more funds.
Have a sound comprehensive financial plan for the university's future particularly given the
serious issues facing it.
Help us fine tune our budget. Help us find more money to fund our student assistant budget.
I think your idea of visiting all your constituency is an excellent start. You need to know us very
well in order to make informed decisions about us. I don't think that time will be wasted. Our
fiscal constraints have put us into a competitive arena. We need to be brought back into a
team- success mode.
Improve financial support to continue to provide "affordable" and "quality" education.
I'm torn here between creating an environment in which people actually WANT to come to
work every day and reprioritizing the budget to lines that will directly benefit students.
Ending with a solid fiscal season, while providing a warm, friendly, and approachable presence
on campus
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Address the inequities in the departmental budgets. There are academic departments where
enrollment has doubled and the budget gets slashed. Some academic departments are
destitute, while others have more money than they can spend. The university does summer
school revenue share and distance education revenue share. Some deans keep the money and
distribute none to the departments. Eliminating this revenue share and distributing funds fairly
is a much better system. My department does not have money to print course syllabi for
summer school and print tests.
Find a way to make positive change with a limited budget. Not use the slogan "we don't have
enough money to do that," as an excuse that programs and services are cut/not explored.
Continuing from my comment above, establish or lay the ground work for a successful
fundraising campaign.
To Advance Clarion I will
My perspective is one from the volunteer side, serving on the Foundation Board. I would like to
use my alumni experiences and integrate them with what is going on in the fund raising arena.
I have been a donor and worked closely with a past president on the first capital campaign. Past
tense.
I would LOVE to be part of the process to hire new tenure track faculty!! Because of budget
issues, Clarion has only hired part-time, temporary faculty (and very few of those). This is
problematic as our faculty grow older. We need new faculty to keep the older faculty fresh as
teachers and researchers, to bring in new ideas.
A balanced budget where the department budgets are not penalized for running a growing
ship.
We have had increases in majors and been given less money than in the past to accomplish the
same quality of instruction that led to the larger numbers in the major.

Faculty and Staff Success
Summary:
There were many comments of pride regarding the faculty and staff of Clarion University. Most
notable were comments around the care that faculty and staff have for students personally and
a commitment to preparing students academically. Faculty were described as committed to
mentoring students and developing quality learning experiences. There were also many
comments that indicate a great sense of community and civility among faculty and staff with
each other.
Many comments recommended that to support the success of faculty and staff more faculty
and staff should be hired to teach and provide services/programs. These comments also
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
expressed a frustration over the decline in funding over several years that has resulted in the
incremental devolution of faculty and staff positions from full-time positions to temporary
positions as well as not filling positions when they become vacated. This devolution has
resulted in increased work loads and a general concern about the future quality of the
institution.
There were comments that many are hoping the president will take a leadership role to reverse
the trend of hiring part-time faculty. Comments were vague as to how we might increase the
financial capacity of the university or how to determine the basis for funding full-time faculty
positions. Perhaps the response that best summarizes the comments of many and one that will
resonate with us as we move the university forward is a comment advising the President as
follows:
“Maintaining the strong working relationship between the administration and the rank & file by learning
the culture, asking questions before making decisions and sharing the rationale for the decisions.”

The Comments:
What We Do Best
Our faculty are passionately committed to their students and programs.
Employee benefits and compensation.
I believe overall that the Clarion University Faculty care about the students and will do their
best to help them succeed and graduate.
The faculty, in general, are committed to the intellectual and civil development of their
students.
Faculty devote a lot of time to teaching and mentoring students.
Faculty have a great deal of experience and expertise in their fields.
Provide its students with excellent faculty and support staff
Value faculty more. Short-term thinking has really harmed this place.
In nursing the faculty and staff work well together.
This is a nice place to work.
CU is very family friendly with many children of the faculty and staff attending Clarion
There is a great sense of connectedness
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
There is a strong sense of team work in the campus.
Provide a dedicated faculty and staff that are truly interested in helping students achieve.
Clarion university has some outstanding professors.
Teaching--faculty are outstanding
Most faculty have a strong and passionate commitment to educating and interacting with
students.
Clarion provides a quality education within its geographic region.
Maintain a positive culture with respect between students, faculty, and administration.
Teaching
This is a great place to work
At heart, the administration, the faculty and the support staff are dedicated to the
advancement of the university.
Public Relations, Fundraising, & Recruitment of Students
May not be "best", but done "well"...Work collaboratively across academic and student affairs
lines.
I think most of the faculty do a good job of teaching most of the students.
Clarion offers some really wonderful faculty. I have professors who I can count on for so much-not just a question about class, but a question about anything, not just help with school, but
help with life. They value students, and that makes them very valuable to students!
The faculty are great and really care about the students
Good faculty
Faculty care about their students
Faculty publish and are very engaged
Faculty take the time to get to know their students

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
I LOVE working at Clarion University and I am always very proud to say that I am a contributing
factor in this great entity.
As mentioned at the open forum, the support staff, custodial, and maintenance staff do a great
job. I am a firm believer that if you take care of the folks that type it, fix it, clean it, or secure it,
your life will be much easier and more fulfilling.
Most faculty and staff are willing to listen and help students and each other work toward goals.
The university does an amazing job of hiring people that are very wonderful to be around.
Though there are exceptions to this I, for the most part, greatly enjoy all who work for the
university :)
Staff go over and above in working with students.
Clarion is very caring
People work hard
Most helpful and friendly

What We Can Do Better
Replace retired faculty with tenure track positions in the departments that need them the most
Deal with the fact that more and more administrative responsibilities are being shouldered by
fewer and fewer full-time faculty
Limit the number of committee responsibilities, so that faculty can spend more time preparing
classes, doing research, and advising students
Deal with the potential cutting of low-enrolled programs in a way that respects and values the
hard working faculty members behind them
Consider renaming Faculty Senate to University Senate. To those outside the institution (and to
some within the institution), the name does not convey that it is includes the following groups:
the President of the University, full-time personnel holding academic rank, and full-time
personnel classified as State University Administrators, State University Managers,
PASSHE should have a trailing professional spouse/partner policy for faculty, staff and
administrators.
We need to replace retired faculty positions thoughtfully, in departments that need it most.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Limit the number of committee responsibilities, so that faculty can spend more time preparing
classes, doing research, and advising students. Too much responsibility is given to faculty
committees and faculty have no power.
Take some of the extra-curricular burden off of teachers who still care. But this is also an
APSCUF issue because it involves promotion requirements.
I wish we could do something about the teachers who just read from power points. But on the
other hand, they make my teaching look better
- It could better utilize the rarest of its assets: research capabilities and vocation of many of its
faculty members.
There is a concern that we have been replacing full time faculty with part time faculty.
. . . is the worst professor that I have ever had. He has yet to return one of my four emails in
the past month. Every other student in my course is having the same difficulties with his
miscommunication. We have submitted several assignments and we receive no feedback or
grades from him. It is terrible that you allow a professor like this to teach a graduate level
course. The courses are costly, and I feel that I am not receiving the proper education that I
deserve.
The Dean of . . . has given faculty releases to the tune of 6 full-time faculty positions in this past
year (See fact book). This policy needs to be revisited esp. in that are faculty is diminishing in
size due to budget cuts.
At Venango Campus, one problem I see is that faculty advisors aren't always available when the
students need them, for example during early January before the semester begins or Thursday
afternoon or Friday of whatever week has a Friday deadline, last day to withdraw from a class
maybe?
I work in the library, and these students who are in desperate need of someone to sign their
paperwork are often sent here to see the librarian . . . But many times, she's not available,
either because she's not scheduled to work as when the semester has not yet begun, or when
she's at Clarion for a meeting, etc.
Not stretch employees responsibilities so far that they have a hard time getting to everything.
I will tell you up front that this is a selfish one - One area that I have repeatedly brought to the
attention of . . . in regards to Life Long Learning . . . repeatedly came back with the decision that
. . . would not change the policy. Many of our sister institutions allow for Managers to have a
tuition waiver for graduate classes, however Clarion does not (Clarion SCUPA members do get a
waiver for graduate classes). I would love to get a masters from Clarion, in fact I have already
taken a few classes in . . . The managers would still have to pay the fees. My feelings are that if
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
we are to promote Life Long Learning, then the university should offer that to all stakeholders. I
do not know where the decision of this is, if it is with the university president, pec, board of
trustees, or PASSHE.
Clerical Staff are treated like second class citizens. We are a vital piece to this University but
never seem to get the thanks for respect from faculty and administration. It is very frustrating.
We are taught that managers should listen and respect their frontline personnel. This does not
always happen at Clarion, either campus.
the university takes it for granted. People who feel valued will usually respond by giving their
best, and unfortunately some people here are not always valued. As a result, morale is not
good.
Very understaffed, need more staff.
After all the effort we make to attract students and keep students, this seems like a glitch in our
system that these same students are unable to find someone to help them with their
paperwork. Would there be some way for a faculty member or two to be "on call" during these
critical up-against-the-deadline periods?
We need to have an adequate number of faculty to do our job well. At present, many of us are
unable to provide the experiences our students need, such as writing, speaking in class,
meeting one-on-one with faculty, simply because our classes are so large.
The science dept. instruction as well as grants and contracts need to be supported more fully
with equipment support, institutional support, student involvement etc. I have probably moved
more money thru the school from various sources than any other faculty member over the
years. In addition, this year alone, I have employed multiple students on projects some of which
were run thru the school other that were run outside the purview of the University.
Some faculty are complaining that their classes are so large that they can't assess student
learning with research and writing assignments.
Internally, I feel we could do a number of things better, particularly with the overall hiring
process. This process takes too long period. The interview process is already long enough due
to people's schedules, but when a viable candidate is selected, the paperwork takes forever. It
simply makes no sense to have the same people sign and resign forms. Once thing’s clear,
Social Equity, it then takes weeks for the background check and contract to finally be issued. In
some regards, the same thing happens with graduate assistantship positions. Three graduate
students in my dept. had to decline because it simply took too long for the paperwork to be
sent. It seems the paperwork bottlenecks in Carrier. Please understand I'm not complaining,
just stating an observed fact.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Finally, I believe the Presidential Commissions need to be reviewed for reorganization. It
doesn't seem that the current model is as effective as in the past and needs revitalized.
I am also concerned with increased hiring of part-time faculty verses tenure track full time
faculty.
More part time faculty verses full time tenure track. Part-timers do not have the vested interest
a full timer does. Again, it takes away from the educational experience. In the Royal Navy of
Lord Nelson, a retiring Admiral was granted two boons – to promote a Lieutenant in his fleet to
Captain, and a Midshipman to Lieutenant, solely on merit, and for the good of the Service,
without regard to aristocratic rank or politics. It is now common to scrutinize the practices of
successful organizations – and Nelson’s navy was certainly one; I think that some of their “best
practices” are as timeless as human nature. One of these is the longer perspective that older
members of an organization may have, combined with the desire to leave a legacy of a stronger
institution than the one they found. It is with this in mind that I write to you with three ideas, in
the attachment below, for your consideration. Not sure. Maybe allow adjuncts to teach on-line
courses.
Support for faculty grant writing. I have found that there is a lack of support for writing grants
with some of the life sciences administration. There are complaints about not having enough
funding, yet little support for writing grants to increase hands-on projects for students, which
will of course bring money into the University.
Departments are already working under a bare bones budget where the cost of doing business,
for example, giving a student a syllabus is carefully questioned. Many departments are
understaffed which can affect accreditation status. Moral is the lowest I've seen in the 23 years
I've been here. The . . . does not have a visible presence on campus and again the theme of
poor communication between upper administrators, deans and faculty is noticed far too
frequently
Although we have a lot of really good teachers, there is still a segment of faculty at Clarion who
do not care about improving their teaching and seem to only care about doing the minimal
amount of work possible. These latter faculty have an attitude that reflects why things cannot
be done and this can be very discouraging to other more positive faculty. It would be nice to
change the atmosphere at Clarion to one that reflects "how can we make this happen" instead
of "why we can't make this happen".
Hire more tenure track faculty! The Education Department now has more part-time temporary
faculty members than it has full-time tenure track/tenured faculty. This places an enormous
burden on the permanent faculty since temporary faculty do not have advisees, do not
participate on committees, cannot observe peers and conduct evaluations, cannot assist with
writing tenure and promotion letters, etc. The permanent faculty are seriously over-worked.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Many of the Professors have become discontented over the budget woes. We need to be
supported in our efforts to continue to support our students.
We need to stop hiring part time temporary faculty and hire more full-time faculty.
Have had a problem recruiting faculty in specific areas such as business -- this is a problem in
that our salary structure is such that salaries are not competitive. Oftentimes one way to
manage is to "over promote" someone -- say offer them associate professor instead of assistant
professor. It would be more effective and a greater sign of quality to have great flexibility in
offering market driven salaries based upon the unique market salaries by content area.
The President Should Spend Her Time
Making sure that students are treated well and that the best faculty is teaching not just those
who have tenure.
Creating organizational structures that motivate educators to link their research agendas with
the education they impart
The president should spend her time making sure all students, faculty, and staff are safe and
that everyone is treated with respect and no one is discriminated against and treated unfairly.
Hire a working . . . and a productive dean of . . .
Hire more tenure-track faculty. We have entirely too many temporary faculty. This is making
our degree programs less rigorous and less consistent in their delivery.
Figure out how to hire more faculty and hire them.
Get to know faculty and programs
She should be visible, and she should get to know the faculty.
Looking closely at needed faculty positions and curricular needs.
Looking for ways to hire faculty.
The One Thing the New President Should Do
Develop a positive and collegial relationship with the faculty so that administration and faculty
work together to advance the university, within as well as without.
With the struggling economy, it would be my hope that President Whitney will work to ensure
that faculty and staff positions are not eliminated.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Restore faculty morale and establish adult standards of student behavior. O.K., that is two, but
they are closely linked.
Replace needed faculty slots.
Hire more faculty. Faculty numbers have significantly declined over the past decade leading to
the gutting of needed programs, high quality instruction, and the elimination of traditional (and
needed) degree programs.
Consider credentials of staff relevant to responsibilities & experience
I would like to see the shortage of staff and courses be a priority on her list. I fear the loss of
students if we cannot solve this issue.
Bringing a sense of pride back to the staff through supporting our efforts.
Maintaining the strong working relationship between the administration and the rank & file by
learning the culture, asking questions before making decisions and sharing the rationale for the
decisions. Basic OB, you draw people in the organization toward change by promoting the
benefits of the change; creating cognitive dissonance between their current reality and the
future rewards gained by change.
Please have office hours faculty members can use to communicate with you.
I hope the president will return our campus to a place where the administration and faculty
have a mutual respect for each other in an open environment so that we can serve our students
to the best of our abilities.
To Advance Clarion I will
I will help Clarion University achieve its Mission by nurturing, guiding, and teaching my
students, continuing to develop new knowledge through scholarly activities, and making
contributions to the University and Community.
I think you will find most faculty members are ready, willing and able to support the institution
fully -- doing whatever it takes to further the mission of Clarion University.
As . . ., I have been working, and will continue to do my best to ensure that the students in our
programs receive the best quality experiences possible, even though we have lost 5 full time
faculty over the last 4 years with only part-time, less qualified replacements.
I would be happy to serve on the search committee for a new dean of . . .

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
I do my job, serve on dept. and university committees, work on a union committee, try to
create a welcoming environment, advise a student group, volunteer in the community,
promote the university and the department at state and national conferences.
I have to say that I am pretty disillusioned about contributing anything to this place. In the past,
I have devoted the bulk of my time to serving my department and the university, only to see my
department cut through the bone and my discipline scorned by the administration. Now I spend
most of my time on my teaching--students still appreciate my efforts--and on scholarship. If
more respect were shown for faculty and academic programs, I would consider participating
again in university governance.
I think I can do this by working with my colleagues to maintain a solid program in our dept. and
to volunteer on various committees as time permits.
I'm involved in campus and university governance in various capacities, and I plan to continue
my commitment to service.
As an adjunct, I would be willing to on occasion offer more diverse courses in sociology at
Venango.
Work on committees, work with students
Our record for getting students into graduate school or employment has declined in the last 3
years. Reverse this.
Collaborate on proposals for external funding, except that the Dean doesn't understand the
process, and often ends up killing them.
Continue to grow programs based on the community and student needs.
I am happy to assist in whatever way I can. It is a great place to work. Thank you for asking for
our input.
Whatever it takes - we used to operate with this can do attitude
I already sit on many committees- I encourage others to join in and be a part of- preventing
burn out of new tenure track faculty is something I personally work on.
Through excellence in the classroom and guidance of students outside of the classroom.
I personally, would like to stay involved as a partner (with Keeling) in efforts to control drinking,
drug use, and violence on campus.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
I also strongly support the Office of Social Equity and would be happy to help any way that I
can.
I will continue to work very hard at the level of student success - working with high risk
students whenever they ask and volunteering at the advising center. I will happy to answer the
president's call for help.
Continue to provide quality course work and services to the community...
By not being so overloaded with work within my department that I could actually volunteer for
leadership and multi-disciplinary opportunities that arise across campus. Often I have good
ideas that I would like to "sprout" on campus, but when would I have time to do them and do
them well?
Continue to serve on university committees and work with other faculty/administrators to
continue to keep Clarion a great place to work and go to school. I'm proud to be a former alum
and to work here.
Provide feedback and serve on committees.
I will support the institution's growth through my contractual role and anyway I can be helpful.
It is a great place to live and work
In addition to the work that I already do to promote accreditations, curriculum improvements,
and provide quality and compassionate advising, I would be very happy to participate in the
recruitment efforts of highly qualified faculty.
I am a hard worker. If someone asks me to help, I am more than willing. I would be available to
do what is needed. I can donate my time.
I am doing my best to be a creative and supportive instructor. Candidates recognize my passion
for teaching, and I hope to send them forward with the same passion for their vocation.
I have a suggestion. I know that this may sound self-serving since I . . . . I feel that the station
would be well served if the station director's position would be made a staff position. With the
changes that have been made in the co-curricular program, I feel that the station needs a stable
leadership. Changing directors every two years does not really provide the sense of stability
that is needed to lead the student volunteers. Just as things stabilize a new head figure arrives
and the process begins anew. I do not deny that I would be interested but I feel that the station
would benefit with this change. It would also take some of the work load off. . . With more and
more dependency on electronic class rooms his work load will be sure to increase. Thank you
for listening.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Would like the opportunity to participate on committees...most of these opportunities are for
faculty only.
Give 100% effort daily.
Contributing to the mission of community-campus collaboration
I have always loved being a member of the "team". I would like to continue to play a role in our
student's/university's success. I love the interaction with the students, and I hope I can always
continue to do this.
Whatever it takes. I have been here 20 years and the good Lord willing. I will be here another
10 or 12.
Keep committed to excellence in my daily performance and strive to be a wonderful example to
all students, faculty and staff.
I'd like to spend more time to do my job and less time in bureaucratic processes that result in a
report that is put into a drawer
Living each moment for those around me instead of myself.
I would be willing to help in any way so that Clarion can achieve its mission. I have always been,
and will continue to be, a walking billboard for Clarion. I always tell anyone that asks that “I
came here to attend school and I loved it so much that I stayed to work. Clarion University is a
great place to be.”
Through faculty governance, I actively participate in institutional guidance
Become a faculty member in the future to directly promote CU's goals.

A Culture of Planning, Assessment and Continuous Improvement
Summary:
There were no points of pride indicated regarding Clarion’s work in the area of planning,
assessment and institutional improvement. There where many comments regarding
suggestions for areas deserving improvement. Comments referenced the need to assess what
we do in order to inform future efforts, to plan well in order to determine the strategic
allocation of limited funds, and to empower faculty and staff to regularly use data to inform
decisions. Given the timing of our work with our Middle States Accreditation, there were many
comments regarding the importance of meeting accreditation planning and assessment
standards.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
There were many comments calling for a change in the university’s approach to planning and
assessing. There were calls to improve a variety of administrative processes, which are viewed
as not fully serving students, faculty and staff. Perhaps the response that best summarizes the
comments of many and one that will resonate with us as we move the university forward is a
comment advising the President as follows:
“There are some issues with processes of administration and communication. Some of these may be
procedural - clarifying processes and empowering people to make decisions.”

The Comments:
What We Do Best
No Feedback Received.
What We Can Do Better
Going into the Middle States process we need true leadership. Neither the . . . nor . . . seem to
understand the importance of the self-study -- nor of the Monitoring Report!
University Accreditation -- it is vital that we achieve a solid review in 2012. We must submit a
good report in response to monitoring this year.
Have a unified sense of purpose and mission which carries across the entire university and
engages all constituents
Assessment planning. There are areas of the campus where plans have been developed due to
accreditation (Business and education, CSD). Arts and Sciences is behind in this.
Eliminate the pseudo-Middle States committee in the College of Arts and Sciences. The Middle
States project is vital to the success of this institution. We have good people sitting on the
dean's committee. Make administrators, faculty and staff aware of the need for their
involvement. Stop this rival committee. A & S can do this after Middle States is completed.
There are some issues with processes of administration and communication. Some of these
may be procedural - clarifying processes and empowering people to make decisions. Others are
personality/personnel issues.
We need much better IR - this is a problem at several levels. This involves dedicating more
resources
Reduce time-lag and complexity of hiring, of curricular review while improving competitive
capabilities.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Be more deliberate and structured in our retention efforts by creating more streamlined
processes. Currently there seem to be too many different areas, processes, committees trying
to do things individually. Ensure that the "right" players are involved.
Be proactive versus reactive.
We could do a better job of communicating back to the campus the progress of new academic
programs as it progresses through the process of going from idea to program students could
enroll.
Students struggle to get their financial aid ..... Financial aid seems worse this year than in the
past. Financial seems understaffed in that it seems to take a very ling time for verification to be
completed. Is it possible to streamline and reduce e length if time to reduce the processing
time?
Concern that we have too many temporary faculty, because of a tight budget we have not filled
full-time time faculty positions with temporary faculty.
We need a fast easy way to add more course sections taught by more faculty based on
enrollment demands.
Make decisions based on who's best for positions and departments and not rewarding people
as they near retirement.
Planning and assessment could be better and use the information from assessment to make
important decisions
We could do a better job of planning
We don't really assess what we do
Assessment must be turned around. We have not used the data we have gathered. There has
not been clear enough use of results.
There is going to be a retirement bubble with many folks retiring in the next few years. What
opportunities and challenges does this present?
Must be strategic in what we do -- we are not funded to do everything. What does the state
fund us to do?
The President Should Spend Her Time
The president should make sure she makes everyone accountable for making things happen.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Report on different important areas should be known. Supervision, guidance and follow-up is
key so our programs make progress.
Looking very hard at administrative processes to streamline how things are done
I think you need to absorb as much background information about Clarion as possible and then
prioritize what faculty, staff, and students have suggested.
Initially, by coming to her own understanding of the University's strengths and weaknesses in
order to give credit and support its strengths and improve those areas identified as
weaknesses.
Stick to your plan of planning AND doing.
Make people accountable for their work from maintenance up to management.
Hold people accountable, at all levels, do not avoid taking action because 'of the unions'.
Working to see that the university gets removed from monitoring status for Middle States
The One Thing the New President Should Do
Provide leadership in the re-accreditation effort for Middle States by encouraging participation.
Work to ensure the university is in compliance with the 14 accreditation standards.
Focus on getting Middle States accreditation with no warnings or probation. Administrators and
faculty really need to get together on this one with no conflicts of interest, ego, etc.
Ensuring that accreditation is maintained.
Help get the university off MSCHE monitoring status and move the reaccreditation process
forward in a supportive manner.
Become familiar with all the strengths of the university and the opportunities for improvement
at all levels - and begin to outline plans that engage people to embrace improvement.
I also hope that the president will evaluate carefully the work of her provosts and her deans
and that she will listen to faculty points of view on their performance and decisions. To put it
more bluntly, I hope she cleans house at the administrative level. Also, I hope that the
president will support our department, be open to innovations, and will be willing to take some
risks, particularly when it comes to innovations and program changes. No matter how much
data we collect, at some point we have to jump off the diving board. Finally, I hope that the
new president can help raise faculty morale. I know that's difficult when many universities are
laying off faculty and retrenching.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Get rid of existing red tape in all sorts of educational processes. To illustrate, I have learned of
several students who return from study abroad experiences and their credits don't transfer in
time to register for the classes that would permit them to finish on time.
Make sure 100 % of employees are accountable; it is ridiculous for them not to be.
In my almost (8) years here on Campus, I have seen the integrity of our Administrators decline.
For example, it appears there is considerable discrepancy when filling positions here on
campus, specifically the AFSCME positions. When I applied and was granted a promotion from
Clerk Typist II to Clerk Typist III, it was STRESSED to me that it is "not the quantity of work" that
one does that counts - it is the "type of duties - level of work" that one does that counts toward
an increase/promotion to a higher level. My question would be then........if a Clerk Typist III
would retire and the job description does NOT change one iota, then how does the position
automatically go back to either a Clerk Typist II or Clerk Typist I???? If the job duties remain the
exact same, what changes??? My example of this would be the recent retirement ... She was a
Clerk Typist III, yet the minute she retired, her job duties suddenly became a Clerk Typist II.
Please explain this strange coincidence to me as this is only ONE example that I've witnessed in
the past several years - I could certainly provide more examples if I thought about it.
Get Middle States on track!
As stated above, downsize administration, increase clerical staff, add more sections of needed
classes, clear out some of the "dead wood".
Get rid of the "dead wood" administrators who are just there to collect a pay check. Some of
them really do NOT have students well-being in mind. Clean up the school's reputation "on the
streets" for being an "easy degree"--substitute administrators with full-time, tenured
professors and raise the standards all the way around!
I hope that by the end of your first year, you have lead the development a shared vision for the
future of the institution and that it is one that breaks from the status quo that has come to
characterize much of my professional tenure here.
To get a feel for how the University operates and identify its strengths and weakness.
Set the stage for a new strategic planning process in Spring 2011. (But, please keep in mind that
the Middle States Task Forces will be doing most of their work in Spring 2011 so it will be
difficult to make much progress on a strategic plan in the spring. The faculty may be spread too
thin.)
To Advance Clarion I will
No text listed.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Communication, Listening and Dialogue
The Summary:
There were few comments of pride regarding communication. However, there were
many comments indicating the importance of communication, listening, and dialogue within
the university with calls for the new president to establish routine events to ensure
communication across the university organization. There were many comments expressing
feelings of not being heard and the importance of people in power and authority listening to
others in order to advance the university. Finally there were expressions of not feeling
reasonably well informed about the university and a lack of transparency adversely affecting
employees’ ability to do good work.
There were many comments that suggested that the university should communicate more
often and with more effort to a variety of external audiences in order to attract more students,
increase popular support, and advance the university.
Perhaps the response that best summarizes the comments of many and one that will resonate
with us as we move the university forward is a comment advising the President as follows:
“Creating an environment with faculty, staff, administrators and students that allows for candid feedback
on how to move forward without dwelling on how we've always done things.”

The Comments:
What We Do Best
Talk up the positives
Communication with students and access to information is very good. As a parent, I feel that
my daughter had has also had positive support from faculty and staff.
Maintain a collegial, community atmosphere on campus that puts the needs of the students
first.
People to people communication that enhances undergraduate and graduate career planning,
recruitment, and fundraising
What We Can Do Better
Allow a direct line of communication from those at the bottom to those at the top. On
occasion, faculty should be allowed the opportunity to directly speak to the President.
Promote all the advancements which have been made in the last 10 years. In both academics
and on campus there have been major steps taken and many more in the planning phases. If
you graduated here 10+ years ago you wouldn't even know the campus and how it has
improved physically.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Market itself better especially in Metropolitan areas. In some ways we are to provincial.
We need to promote to the general public what it is that we do best as noted in question 1... I
think that we do a poor job of showing western Pennsylvania our strengths and why it is that
we are a better choice than other schools in our region.
I once heard a story about a woman that took over as the manager of a factory. In less than a
year, production had more than doubled and quality also. When asked what did you do that no
manager before you did. Her reply was (I listened to what the people in the plant said and just
implemented what they said).
Transparency in decision-making, in communication, could be better.
Clarion University could do better at being more transparent. A more transparent work
environment will facilitate open communication between offices on campus. Not only will this
make employees feel more included but this will also help to alleviate the issue of information
being used as a commodity for exchange.
Communicate better at ALL levels.
Rely on the local input instead of trying to be all things to all people through diversity - the
word in vogue.
Communication between units and across the university.
Collaboration could be better across departments
Need to find ways to engage the CU family
Better communication between units at all levels (student, academic, staff, administrative).
With better communication, there will be less frustration for everyone.
Our marketing and promotional efforts lag behind our competitors (IUP, SRU and Cal).
Internal communication has worsened over the last two years.
Communicate better with colleagues and students.
Students seldom know what is happening on campus.
If you Google “Clarion Pa”, you get a fairly good presence with the Chamber listed first.
But ALF doesn’t have listing, Clarion University is listed but isn’t prominent (you are hard
pressed to recognize it as a university) and the Wikipedia listing is out dated.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
There nothing there to indicate that Exit 62 is a designation point for I-80.
If you setup Google News to get the local news for Clarion, the output isn’t very good.
University news is rarely displayed.
The Clarion News shows up the most, but since that site is limited to subscribers, it is
particularly not useful to outside persons.
An events calendar and individual events should show up here along with a “Clarion PA” search.
Here is the link to Clarion’s Google News:
http://news.google.com/news/section?pz=1&cf=all&geo=16214&ict=ln
Want to know more about what is going on campus
Clarion University has a tendency to fail to communicate important information, not just to
students, but to faculty. One of my face-to-face classes (which I value VERY highly, because
they're part of a largely online program) was cancelled this summer, and I was baffled that the
professor, a great professor, hadn't informed us but that I had just happened upon the
information on the iClarion Portal. I went to talk to the professor about it, and it turned out that
no one had informed him, either. My tuition is supposed to pay for me not only to receive an
education but to always be informed of those factors which impact my education.
The President Should Spend Her Time
Getting to know and speaking directly to Faculty, Students, and Staff Openly and Transparently
Viewing our University not just from the top-down, but also from the bottom up
Talk to the students, listen to them. Engage in a President's council with invited students if not
already in place.
Recognize academic improvement, as well as overall achievement.
Find new ways to send the right messages and keep the bar high with expectations regarding
acceptable behaviors.
Talking with all university community constituents -- you already are.
Maintaining an open door policy -- which does seem to be in existence -- and listening without
prejudice.
I think you are doing a wonderful job by listening to all areas of the university and devising a
plan. You are educating yourself about the people, area and needs which is a great way to make
smart decisions.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Doing what you are doing now. It is just fabulous to see that you are "out and about" and are so
visible. The students are noticing, and believe me, the employees are noticing. Besides all the
meetings you have to attend, and the business of the university that you have to conduct, just
having an ear to the students and employees would be wonderful.
Right now I think you are doing the right thing by being visible and listening. Much is gained by
being a good listener. Delegate authority and rely on your staff and alumni organizations to
help pull the load. Evaluate faculty teaching load and programs offered.
Listening to the student's needs and making sure the professors are teaching.
Talk to the Faculty and staff! The people down in the trenches are the people that talk to the
students every day!
The president should spend her time as she is, getting to know the faculty, staff, and students.
It is great to be able to speak concerns and ask questions to a new face who should become a
familiar and admired face around campus!
I appreciate you LISTENING and better yet, HEARING what we have to say.
Listening to the people, and writing new policies to please their requests.
I think she should look into the suggestion I made in the above box and she should continue to
get to know the university students, staff and community leaders.
I think the listening tour is a great start. It is important for you to see exactly what it is we do
and to find out why we do it that way or why we are organized the way we are. Then, I think it
becomes incumbent on the new president to challenge the staff to identify better ways of
operating/serving students.
Becoming familiar with the various departments, and their goals.
Getting to know key players in the various programs
Getting to know and understand each department- especially faculty that teach full time onlinethey are under valued and under appreciated.
When I was an undergraduate student at Penn State, I had the opportunity to meet the
president. This gave me a real connection to the university. For many students, this may be a
way to connect them to this campus. For President Whitney it may help to hear why freshman
choose the university, challenges for sophomores/juniors, and the tools that clarion has offered
the seniors in preparing to enter the work force.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Often times students can be more open and honest when they feel their messages are being
heard.
For the next 6 months, listening and asking for ideas. The staff and faculty are very energetic.
Not all ideas are excellent, but the more opportunities they have to voice their suggestions, a
fuller understanding of the University culture can be made. Adjustments can be done from
there.
Initially, meeting students, faculty and staff...getting a feel for the university and "sorting out"
the politics.
Meeting and listening to students, staff, alumni, and townsfolk.
Getting to know each department by visiting them, really listening to what they need to
continue to provide a quality education rather than having departments listen to a "canned"
speech as to the mission of the university. Also hosting a student forum to hear their concerns
and hopes to accomplish their academic goals would be valuable input regarding Clarion's
mission.
Once again my comments are from only one person’s perspective but I would assume the first
step would be to understanding the culture and climate of the University. This would include
the political aspect, faculty, staff, and most importantly the students. Once a solid
understanding of the dynamics of the University is achieved, I feel a person is better prepared
and equipped to implement or enhance new ideas and concepts to help grow Clarion
University.
For now, she needs to get to know every facet of the institution. Not only Deans and
Department Chairs, but she needs to see the "nuts and bolts"
I think that listening is a wonderful start! Working on plans that are created from the feedback
that she receives and providing updates regarding those plans would be wonderful!
To get to know your staff and faculty. To communicate/visit the area school districts and
businesses
Spend a lot of time observing, interacting, and listening to students and faculty. Design a way to
stay "in touch" with reality. Not many university administrators are able to accomplish this.
Increasing the visibility of the University.
She has gotten off to a good start by meeting with everyone she possibly can in a short period
of time. I would suggest taking everything you see and hear with a grain of salt and dig deeper
into what everyone shares with you to verify the accuracy of the information.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
It is really important to listen.
Short term: Learn the culture. Take long serving faculty, department chairs, and deans out to
lunch (individually) and listen (remembering, listening without action or at least explaining why
you cannot act on suggestions may have negative outcomes). Send doughnuts (or some
tangible form of appreciation) down to maintenance once in a while and down to computing
services as they keep the place rolling.
Listening and using the information gained to prepare for future
Creating an environment with faculty, staff, administrators and students that allows for candid
feedback on how to move forward without dwelling on how we've always done things.
Meeting people and listening.
The president needs to work on getting to students, faculty, staff and alumni.
The One Thing the New President Should Do
I hoped that the new president would listen to faculty, and I'm very glad to find out that she
does.
Improve communication. The "trickle down" theory doesn't work so well when important
information doesn't reach everyone. There are too many power struggles (I have the
information, so I have the power) going on. For us to do our jobs effectively, we need to be
included when the information pertains to us and/or our department/students.
Open a clearer channel of communication between the administration and the faculty and staff.
Open lines of dialogue and communication
Fix this train wreck of a web site. Color scheme is hideous and doesn't feel like Clarion
University.
I hope that President Whitney is able to connect to the university so that it feels like home to
her. One of the first days she was here I went to Starbucks for a coffee and one of the workers
down there was so excited about meeting Dr.Whitney that she explained in great detail about
her pin and how the president seemed like “a real person” – I continue to hear many of the
same stories from maintenance as well as clerical. This outreach is often is typical of a new
president but a tradition of continued outreach/accessibility is not. I think that continuing this
accessibility in the first year would be a key to success.
Listen, hear, plan a response, respond, evaluate the impact of the response and readjust.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Feel welcomed, settle in, get comfortable, visit students, visit faculty, visit staff, listen, begin
work on solving problems/concerns of students, faculty, and staff.
Feeling at home as a vital member of the Clarion community!
Open and honest communication. More substance and less "spin".
Take the time to become personally familiar with the programs/faculty on campus and not
completely rely on surveys and the perceptions of the administration to make value judgments
about departments and programs.
Improve communication within the administrative team.
Getting to know Clarion students and employees to find out our strengths by talking and
observing; this way, she can believe in us as she represents us to others
To Advance Clarion I will
I would like to explain this to the President in person when I meet with her
By talking with president and providing her with an understanding of the contribution our
programs make.
Aside from serving students both in the classroom and through campus committees that
promote educational programming, I would like to help Clarion achieve its mission by working
to communicate to the public, legislature, and Chancellor the value of what we do, especially in
providing a solid liberal arts background for our students. I'm not sure how to go about doing
this in an organized way, but I'm staying alert to opportunities that may come up.
I think we have a great start; it is early so it takes time and we need to give it time to make it
work.
Listening is a wonderful thing sometimes more wonderful than knowing (or at least thinking
you know).
A forum such as this should be encouraged by all members of the campus community. Allow Dr.
Whitney a chance to hear from ALL constituencies within the Clarion family.
Keep suggesting ideas to improve this college. I feel every person who is connected to Clarion
University has an obligation and duty to promote and help the University achieve its mission
and goals. I feel we help achieve this by getting involved beyond our classroom or daily tasks.
So, to answer the question I think someone needs to know where the help is needed first.
I believe that listening to everyone is very important. Keeping a positive attitude and stressing
to be compassionate to others.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
A Solid and Visible Leadership
Summary
Interestingly, there were few comments directly attributable to what we do best in regard to
leadership. In other sections pride in leadership was expressed in combination with another
theme. There were many comments regarding individuals in leadership positions and either
how decisions were made or how they demonstrated poor leadership. There were calls for the
president to hold the leadership of the campus more clearly accountable for achieving specific
outcomes.
There were a multitude of comments asking that the leadership of the campus and the
president in particular to establish an ongoing routine of being visible throughout the campus
and the community. There were also many comments for the president to work with the
leadership of the campus, the Provost, Vice Presidents, Associate/Assistant Vice Presidents, and
Deans to lead in a manner that builds trust and commitment, appreciates differences of
opinion, ensures accountability, and results in moving the university forward.
Perhaps the response that best summarizes the comments of many and one that will resonate
with us as we move the university forward is a comment advising the President as follows:
“Championing the things Clarion does well, striving to change the things we don't do well, keeping a
balance of the bottom line and the quality of educational experiences for the students, faculty, and staff.”

Comments:
What We Do Best
Allowing deans to be considered for Tenure and Promotion was a good step toward ensuring
quality hires of academic leaders who are true to the academic mission.

What We Can Do Better
I believe there are some administrators who do not care about the faculty and their careers and
will discriminate against them and make life as miserable as possible so that they will retire or
resign.
There is simply no diplomatic way of saying this, the . . . needs to spend less of our funds on
foreign travel and do a job.
Work in a more cooperative manner (recently, there has been too much top-down decision
making.
Relationships between faculty, staff, and administration.
Everybody do their jobs and be held responsible.
Less talk...more action.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Strive to be FAIR and honest in all aspects.
-ADA issues (problems cited with Still Hall elevator and access to lower level Hart Chapel
meeting rooms)
- We are NOT a big campus, and don't need a lot of layers of hierarchy
More should be done to ensure that leadership hires reflect national best practices.
I would like our Dean, . . ., to show some respect, compassion, and caring toward the. . . faculty
so that I can feel that I am a valued member of this university and that . . . cares about me and
my career and other members in our department.
The President Should Spend Her Time
By looking at the organizational structure and making good decisions regarding change.
Leadership at the Cabinet level must be outstanding.
She needs to find out what the issues are from this forum and make those in charge
accountable. The same issues should not take place more than one time from year to year.
I think you have already made clarion a more open place. That is a welcome change.
Provide effective leadership that is fair and equitable; leadership that we can look up to.
From what I have seen and heard in and around the Campus, I believe the majority of us feel
you are a very down-to-earth, listen with your heart person. You show a genuine appreciation
for hard work and dedication, no matter the level one is at (faculty, administrator, custodial,
support staff, etc).
Just what you are doing.
Listening.
Championing the things Clarion does well, striving to change the things we don't do well,
keeping a balance of the bottom line and the quality of educational experiences for the
students, faculty, and staff.
It is obvious that you are very selfless.
Just by being what you already are, the rest of the university will reflect that more.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Think about ways to support the academic mission of the university. In the past, upper
administration has governed by making more work for faculty instead of trying to make their
jobs easier and freeing them up for what they do best: teaching and scholarship.
I think that you are doing everything right, from eating the food we eat to walking around
campus.
I love that you are as involved as you are, though it would be fun if you sat in some classes with
us. Some professors, however, wouldn't give you an accurate measure of who they are. Some
are totally different usual when there is a fellow peer in there, but it would be nice if you got to
see exactly how they act with us. Some are great, but others not so much.
Trying to minimize the differences between the Clarion and Venango campuses, both on a
political level and on a material level (equipment, supplies, classrooms, labs, offices, etc.). There
is a HUGE difference between the two campuses and our students definitely notice.
I think it is a great idea that Dr. Whitney is spending time listening. Also, being careful to not
make any MAJOR changes in the first year would be wise.
If the President could make a strong public case for Clarion U. and public education to
Harrisburg and to Pennsylvanians generally, that would be very helpful. Of course, there's also
the fundraising and so on ... but to help people see that the university is well worth supporting - that would be priceless.
The President is the persona of the University. The President needs to see and be seen outside
the walls of campus.
It's good that she is getting out and meeting people. Keep the approachable down to earth way
of dealing with people. I'm sure she also needs to get caught up on the difficult financial and
administrative issues facing the university. Dr. G was especially good at keeping us afloat.
You have made a good start with asking for this feedback. I do not envy your fiscal decsision
making. You , unfortunately, have to be the university's spokesperson. Most of us can live with
your decisions but we need to know what led to those decisions.
She should make sure that the . . . has his priorities focused on our mission, which he does not
now.
Review the mission statement and refer to what she told the regents that got her selected.
Ensuring that Academic Affairs is run effectively and efficiently.
Long term: Developing the local economy to foster sustained growth in population and
personal wealth = more students and donors.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Dealing with some of the most important issues mentioned above
Carefully considering not only what she does, but also how she does it
Investigating…
Review what is happening with the Foundation and look for ways to use this money for
student-based reasons not more buildings. Fix the buildings you have. There are some guys
over there who have dollar signs in their eyes rather than the good of the students. Make sure
there is enough student and faculty representation there, not just a few MBAs who crowd out
the meaning of a university degree for the pursuits of their egos and wallets.
Learning the different collective bargaining agreements.
The One Thing the New President Should Do
Make the President of Clarion University known as someone who is approachable and known
by all with the best interest of the University as a whole,
Keep the university strong, a leader among the state system.
Hire a working . . . and a productive dean . . .
Revamp the administrative leadership providing some oversight.
Since you asked, I think you should replace the dean of . . . with someone who will build morale
instead of tear it down. . . .plays favorites. . . . is vengeful. . . . disrespects women in particular.
Many dedicated faculty have retired recently because of . . . and grant-seeking in the . . . have
ground to a halt because everybody is too busy watching their backs.
The old fish philosophy, Be Present. All the stakeholders of the university NEED to see the
president that is leading them. If you want to motivate someone, he or she must see the need
in doing what he or she is assigned to complete. It is the president's task to share the need with
the stakeholders. I will tell you that I have heard a lot of individuals discussing that you have a
great presence on campus. Good Job!
Take a stance on the issues, there are lots of things that need changed. Make a change starting
today.
Creation of an organizational structure that encourages input from key University stakeholders
and leads to decisions that support University goals.
Provide some much needed academic leadership
Not falling into the 'good old boys club' . . . showed such energy and ideas when he came and
Then . . . he just fell in line- all the reasons I voted for him swept under the rug.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Building an atmosphere of cooperation with (and appreciation for) campus APSCUF. Open
communication and trust are key. Dr. G leaves this relationship in good shape, but it could be
even better. It's in the interest of both parties (adm and union) to get along.
I know the union wants this kind of relationship.
Make the Provost accountable for the details of the operation. This ship needs correcting. I like
the Provost, but he needs to make his Dean's provide ample classes. This is especially
problematic in the Arts and Sciences College. We had little to no classes available after May 1.
This was a disaster for our incoming freshmen.
Increase the awareness to the local community how vital we are to each other.
I hope that the president can provide a clear sense of direction for the university.
Make her presence known around campus with all constituents; let us see her and interact with
her; listen to us and also tell us what she wants to do for Clarion
See through some of the excesses, overlap and duplicated efforts that exist across campus.
Keep that sense of peace she already has... It was an easy choice for president for those of us in
the peanut gallery. Glad to have you on board, Dr. Whitney.
Working to eliminate the 'old boys network' that is alive and well at Clarion.
Working to improve our market place and helping us to move forward without doing everything
that Slippery Rock or IUP have done.
To Advance Clarion I will
Part of the CUP Mission Statement states: "This community strives to treat its members with
civility and respect"
If I believed that the College of Ed. truly supported early childhood education, I would renew
my financial support through the foundation. I stopped my automatic contributions to
Education when I realized that the Dean of Ed. restricts the use of our foundation funds.

Civic Engagement
Summary:
There are many points of pride regarding how the members of Clarion University work with the
community. In particular, respondents recognized that the University contributes positively to
the economic development of the region. There is also a commitment to using our teaching,
learning, research and university assets to benefit the region.

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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Comments suggested that we could communicate more effectively the good that Clarion
University brings to the community along with the value of the students we graduate, the value
of the people we employ, and the value of the services and programs which the region enjoys
because of Clarion University.
Perhaps the response that best summarizes the comments of many and one that will resonate
with us as we move the university forward is a comment advising the President as follows:
“Incorporating the off campus community into our teaching and our research helps our students really
apply what they learn in the classroom to the real world while at the same time helping the community be
successful.”

The Comments:
What We Do Best
Applied programs are good for economic development
Our work with the community and civic engagement of faculty and staff
We communicate well with the community
There is great civic engagement
Our students are very engaged in the community
We live in a terrific community
We care beyond the classroom
Our location = safe, friendly, small town feel
Incorporating the off campus community into our teaching and our research helps our students
really apply what they learn in the classroom to the real world while at the same time helping
the community be successful.
Beautiful setting near hiking, outdoor activities, and the Clarion River
Our location provides a safe friendly small town atmosphere in a beautiful setting with hiking,
outdoor activities and the Clarion River and parks as attractions.
Causes traffic problems in the Borough.
Uses the resources of the borough with out reimbursing for them.
We also have contributed significantly to the region through our outreach activities.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Serve the community's higher education needs.
The small town friendliness is Clarion's best asset.
We've created a great family atmosphere for a student to live in. The local community (both on
and off campus) is very support of our students. People genuinely care about the students well
being and their success while at Clarion and after their graduation.
What We Can Do Better
The Clarion River represents a relatively untapped resource that the university might use to
better advantage -- especially, perhaps, in the building of summer programs and additional
training courses for teachers. For instance, what about a language institute that incorporates
and makes use of our setting?
It could do a better job at showing the Clarion (and other taxpayers) community the value of
having a university in town.
Unattractive appearance of Fifth Avenue corridor
Need to do a better job in communicating how Clarion provides resources and assistance to
Clarion Borough
Continue support of the local business economy; Dr. Grunenwald did an excellent job in this
area but these efforts have no limits.
I own a business and I want to know what the college students like as in their retail interests,
what are student consumers’ spending interests?
The Borough needs to work with the university to be the best college town in America
Want the university to help the borough and the county with economic development and jobs
We need to be more involved in the community
The university should have a presence on main street, a bookstore or info about the university,
a place people can buy CU stuff
The University needs to be more engaged with the off campus community to help the
community be successful
One idea of engagement is to work to have no empty storefronts on main street. For instance,
could the Clarion Bookstore run a bookstore in one of the empty storefronts on main street?
Make the river more available to the community -- look at ways to help local tourism.
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President’s Listening Report – Fall 2010
Use the Clarion River as a selling point and a point of University interest
Improve the safety on Greenville Avenue – slow down the traffic—facilitate safe crossing
Need to overcome the perception by some folks in the community that people who work at the
university are lazy or we are "over staffed".
The President Should Spend Her Time
The President should spend her time making connections and recruiting various smart experts,
influential, powerful and rich people to help Clarion University and community advance their
goals.
The President should reach out to various national and international communities to promote
access to education and other basic necessities.
I think she should work with the outside of the school to get the university stronger too.
Community, alumni, friends of the university and legislative development are of critical
importance. At the same time, I hope the President will be present enough to recognize the
effective and ineffective nature(s) of the University and PASSHE, and impact changes, where
possible.
Building relationships with local community and with PASSHE.
The One Thing the New President Should Do
Working within PASSHE is challenging. Making the staff and faculty feel like their work is
appreciated and supported in this environment is key.
The University keeps the economy running, and the community keeps up a good image for
retaining students.
Become familiar with the rural western Pennsylvanians, their needs and their heritage.
Good relationships between the Clarion communities.
Equity and civility among all
Improve the harmony between the Borough of Clarion and the University. The Borough has
seldom recognized what CU means financially to the community.
I think she should work with the outside of the school to get the university stronger too.
To Advance Clarion I will
I am willing to work with CUP to implement more CUP/ community interaction.

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