NMU President Fritz Erickson told fall convocation attendees that Northern is a “university on the move,” with a new residence hall complex in the works, new academic programs in high-demand job fields, new athletic teams that have brought more than 160 new students to campus and an Educational Access Network that is expanding high-speed educational broadband access.

Erickson also stressed the need for Northern to pursue “transformational change” if it hopes to counter continuing enrollment challenges.

“Not just change to try something new, but well thought-out and strategic change that considers the needs, wants and advantages it can provide to 21st century students, employees and global citizens,” Erickson said. “In other words, a university not afraid to shake up the current status quo and do things distinctively. If we’re going to solve enrollment, that’s the kind of institution we have to be.

“Our strategic plan framework that has resonated with our campus—this idea of ‘Distinctly Northern’—puts us in the position where we should be willing to take risks, to try new things, to really engage and go big and bold on ideas. … We're doing something most universities don’t even consider doing: we’re doing budget cuts at the same time as budget investments. That can be confusing at times, but the answer lies in our ability to be distinctive.”

Erickson recognized the Psychology department for its work last spring and summer to structurally transform the program in a way that will make it more attractive to prospective students, with plans for a new Center for Autism and enhanced support for students. He said the university will implement a process that analyzes the quality and viability of all academic programs to determine the appropriate number and mix of offerings. The provost will lead that effort. 

The Strategic Planning and Budgeting Advisory committee formed last spring has begun reviewing budget reduction proposals that have moved forward from the five university divisions (see related story). Erickson said the committee also is charged with overseeing updates to the university’s mission and vision statements this year.

While he expressed the need for Northern to better define its distinctiveness and be more deliberate about assessing excellence and value across campus, Erickson also pointed out that “remarkable things” already happen here.

 “I’ve said this many times before,” he added. “I would stack up the quality of education our students get here at Northern with any students at any university anywhere in the country.”

The full convocation can be viewed here.