Ross’ transition team set in motion with administrators, faculty, students

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University President George Ross has a complete list of his transition team members.

The team includes a variety of individuals, from members of the Board of Trustees to students. Those involved will help Ross, who began March 1, throughout his readjustment to Central Michigan University.

Bill Yeagley, CMU’s police chief, is on the Community/Business Priorities subcommittee and said members are focused on bringing CMU together with the community.

“We’re just discussing what our assignments are and what piece of the puzzle we have to fit,” he said. “We, as a team, decided how we want to approach that and the information we want to provide. We are gathering information, and the team will come together and talk about how we can better the relationship between CMU and the surrounding area.”

The team has 81 individuals divided into six sub-committees, which are: academic priorities, student priorities, administrative and staff priorities, alumni priorities, community/business priorities and public affairs and communication. A Web site also is available with information on the group at https://ssl.cmich.edu/transition.

According to the site, there will be three reports submitted to Ross by the groups. An initial report is scheduled for June 1, with a progress report Oct. 1 and a final report following Feb. 1, 2011.

Highlighting issues

The team is co-chaired by Kathy Wilbur, vice president of Government Relations and Public Affairs, and Phil Squattrito, a chemistry professor and chairman of the Academic Senate. The team also includes Trustees John Hurd and Sarah Opperman, along with Steve Lawrence, associate vice president of Facilities Management; Interim Provost Gary Shapiro; and Athletic Director Dave Heeke.

Hesperia sophomore Killian Richeson is on the administrative and staff priorities subcommittee and said he is learning about the university in the process.

“It’s kind of interesting being able to see just the interaction some of the faculty have with some of the administration,” he said. “It gives me an insight into the university that I don’t usually get to see.”

He said the group is seeking ways administrators should interact with students, faculty and the community, as well as what Ross can do with the information.

“So far, we’re trying to get a feel to what each member’s roles are,” he said. “I need to find a way to represent the students without crossing into what the student priorities team does.”

Student Government Association President Jason Nichol is co-chairman of the student priorities committee and said he is excited for what the group could do. He said the group is meeting at 7 p.m. April 19 in the Charles V. Park Library Auditorium.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for this team to highlight student issues and we’re thankful that Dr. Ross is interested and truly committed to making CMU a student-centered institution through hearing ideas and comments the student priorities committee has,” the Mount Pleasant senior said.