Chancellor Donald Reaves is wrapping up his third academic year at Winston-Salem State. Each month he sets aside time for the students to talk to him.
Recently, The News Argus had an opportunity to talk with the Chancellor to find out the current and future status of the University.
News Argus: Where do you see Winston-Salem State University in three years? In five years?
Chancellor Reaves:
Where I’d like to see WSSU in three years is as an institution that is much stronger
academically. I understand that you can’t do this overnight. It takes time.
I’m not sure two-three years is enough, but each year you’ll be able to see the progress that you’ve made. It’s a building process.
News Argus: Where do you see WSSU in terms of enrollment?
Chancellor Reaves:
We’re trying to figure out what the right size is. In fall 2009, we brought on 1,350 first year students. Everything was overcrowded.
We know that’s too big. So this year we cut the number back to about 800. Next year we’re shooting for a target of 900. We’re going to keep moving that number around until we get the right number.
News Argus: Where do you see WSSU in terms of athletics?
Chancellor Reaves:
It’s been a heck of a year. Obviously, we’re in Division II. We’re going to remain in Division II. I am convinced was absolutely the right thing to do.
We just could not afford to be a Division I institution. It would have continued to pull resources away from the core mission of the University.
News Argus: Where do you see WSSU in terms of new construction?
Chancellor Reaves:
Two new projects have been approved and a third we’re working on.
The first is the new student center. We are well along in the planning process. We should be seeing new construction sometime soon.
This will add to the capacity of the University to service students.
We have been appropriated $3 million to build a new science building.
That will be very beneficial. We are working on Hill Hall. My vote is to renovate it and to bring it back to life.
News Argus: Where do you see WSSU in terms of a new stadium?
Chancellor Reaves:
No new stadiums. We will continue to play our football games at Bowman Gray.
We will be looking to forge a new relationship with the city of Winston-Salem around that stadium.
News Argus: Do you think your new programs for retention and graduation rates have been effective thus far?
Chancellor Reaves:
The thing about the answer is you only find out once a year. It takes a year for a class to cycle through.
What we’ve seen so far is yes. The retention rate went from low 70s to 78 percent. That is a sign.
News Argus: If enrollment steadily increases, will the University continue to use local hotels for off-campus housing?
Chancellor Reaves:
We guarantee everyone a room, but some returning students may find themselves in a hotel.
We’d rather students go through our process and be a part of our housing program than to have students off in the hinder lands.
News Argus: Because of a weak economy, the state of North Carolina was forced to cut funds to various institutions this past academic year. Do you anticipate more cuts?
Chancellor Reaves:
I know that the economy is getting better.
I don’t know to the extent that it’s begun to have a more positive effect in North Carolina.
If they were going to cut more they should have told us about it so we could have gotten prepared.
It’s very late in the fiscal year to be taking a cut.