JMU president sits down to discuss university issues
Posted on March 13, 2008
Linwood Rose doesn’t have a lot of free time.
And he seems all right with that, appearing content with a rigorous schedule that includes trips to the General Assembly in Richmond, fundraising, meeting with students and, if his agenda permits, some precious free time spent restoring an antique British sports car.
In a recent interview, the JMU President took time out of his schedule to address issues concerning JMU’s traffic and expansion.
His administration is compiling information on different traffic options for a study that will be available in the fall. The report will be submitted to different organizations such as the Student Government Association and the Faculty Senate in order to get input on the proposed guidelines.
“We would like to reduce the number of cars that come to the campus,” Rose said. “But we’re also responsible and sensitive to the needs of students, faculty and staff that need to get here.”
Rose mentioned several possible solutions, which include an improved bus or transit system and a satellite parking system that would operate similarly to systems in place at Dulles Airport.
“We need to look at how we’re going to use the parking facilities that we have now,” Rose said. “Or do we need to have satellite parking, where you may park someplace and take the shuttle in?”
Rose also spoke about the possibility of curbing growth as JMU prepares to welcome another large freshman class. The increasing number of applicants means that many potential students aren’t getting a chance to attend JMU.
“I think we have more of a sense of obligation now to meet some of that need as long as we can at least maintain the quality that we work to achieve,” Rose said.
Growth issues are also dependent on the financial support the university receives from the state.
“I’ve said repeatedly that if budget cuts continue and if we don’t receive the monies for capital expenditures so that we can have the space we need for the programs and once the indicators of quality begin to decline, then we will turn off the spigot,” Rose said. “That’s really the important signal that says ‘oh yeah, I guess growth really isn’t the primary driver.’”
Any curbing of growth will most likely wait until after the budget for the next two years is approved by the General Assembly.
“Sometime next year we will make a decision about what’s going to happen with the freshman and transfer class for the next year, we’ll look at it real hard,” Rose said.
In the current General Assembly legislative session, Rose is seeking funding for two major projects: a biotechnology building, parallel to the physics and chemistry building on the east side of campus, and an expansion of Duke Hall to meet the needs of visual arts programs.
Rose spoke eagerly about the new plans for expansion, voicing frustration only when speaking of the apparent legislative disconnect between need and use.
“A lot of people look at the new facilities and say that it’s being done for growth and it’s not,” Rose said. “We’re building these facilities or acquiring these properties to meet the current need. In fact, if you’re trying to get money from the state to build a building, you have to demonstrate to the state that you already have a student population that justifies the initial space, so they don’t give you buildings based on growth.”
Other plans that are currently in motion include construction of a new dorm and projects will probably include transitional housing as a way of appealing to parents who are hesitant about their children moving off campus. Transitional housing would mimic apartment-style living.
“Looking at something like this kind of fits the need between the freshman year and really being completely out on your own,” Rose said. “So if we build more, we’ll probably head in that direction.”
Rose has served as president of JMU since 1998, when he took over for Ronald Carrier, who served for 27 years. Rose’s situation was unique, as he had been employed by JMU since 1975, contrary to the traditional route taken by university presidents.
“It’s pretty unusual. Typically, presidents are brought in or if they’ve been at a place, it’s not for the length of time that I had been,” Rose said. “It’s not the typical model, but at JMU, we’ve had only five presidents in 100 years, so people tend to get the job and stay.”
Early on, Rose thought that he would opt for a career in business, but was influenced by a significant resident adviser and became interested in student affairs. He became a hall director before getting his master’s degree in educational supervision and administration at Virginia Tech, eventually coming to JMU in 1975. Over the next four decades he served in several roles, including as the director of residence halls, the vice president for administration and chief operating officer.
Rose also takes pride in his visibility on campus, although some students might not see it the same way he does.
“I think it’s important that the president be visible, and I’m sure that from the student’s perspective, it’s generally felt that presidents are not visible enough, but that’s not necessarily the best way to serve your students,” Rose said. “You need to be visible enough and be in touch, but it means I’m not out raising money or working on the budget.”
Rose considers his varied background at JMU an important part of his foundation as president.
“I think where it’s really made a difference is that I had an appreciation for the values and beliefs that exist at the institution,” he said.
When asked about his biggest accomplishment as president, Rose quickly replies with a statistic: the 94 percent student satisfaction rate that JMU boasts.
“If you’re a leader of an organization and you have that high percentage of people who are your customers or clients who are satisfied with their experience, it makes you feel pretty good,” Rose said.
