Editorial: Embrace the change
Today this fast-paced world writes an unprecedented history. We, students, are caught at the center of these rapid changes and their effects.
Last semester brought a significant shift in the American political arena, and this January, the United States welcomed its 47th President, Donald Trump. His administration has already offered many changes to university life across the nation.
For example, in a “Dear Colleague” letter, the U.S. Department of Education advised institutions to stop using race as a factor in admissions and stop Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs.
But for Central Michigan University, the changes didn’t happen only at the federal level. In the last year, CMU parted ways with many professionals in its administration and welcomed new faces for the highest positions, including the: president, provost’s office, deans of the College of Medicine and College of Science and Engineering, and multiple coaches.
In this edition, Central Michigan Life dove into the separation agreements with the previously mentioned employees and search firms, hired to find new professionals.
The university isn’t just at a turning point from a new leadership perspective, but also from an organizational stand point.
On April 17, President Neil MacKinnon announced that the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will merge with the Division of Student Affairs to create the new Division of University Engagement and Student Affairs.
The enrollment numbers aren’t the same as they were 10 years ago as well. In fact, CMU is now almost half the size, student population-wise, as it used to be, and there has not been a significant enrollment increase in the past five years.
At the same time, CMU is no longer known as the teachers’ school, but instead tries to offer many new programs, such as nursing.
There have been changes within departments. In 2013, CMU announced that it is “the only medical school in Michigan training doctors to address the needs of residents and families living in more rural regions,” according to an MLive article. But in 2024, the College of Medicine declared their plan to expand its programs and move to Saginaw.
In addition, CMU will soon have to decide whether it really needs to be a D1 school and fail to compete with University of Michigan and Michigan State University, or whether it is a local, home-like institution that doesn’t do everything but does well at what it chooses to invest in.
Today we have a world completely different from the one it was last May, much less 10 years ago. We know that changes can be scary. But they can also be wonderful. And what is more important, changes are normal, no matter how unprecedented they are.
Administrations come and go, both at the federal and at the university levels, which is something we can just embrace and adjust to.
In fact, you didn’t come to CMU to stay the same yourself. You are here to grow, challenge your perspectives and improve your talents.
You will become smarter, stronger, wiser. It is just important to not change your core values: kindness, compassion, respect and honesty.
We at CMLife will grow as well and do our jobs the best we can so that you can have the information you need to be able to govern yourself, make educated decisions and be ready to face changes.
To CMU graduates: you have the power and knowledge to make the changes you want in this world.
To returning students: be curious and open-minded. We will see you soon.
