CCU's economic outlook continues to be good
A bit of good news amid the backdrop of bleak national news: thanks to prudent, visionary management in our Office of Financial Services, I do not anticipate any University layoffs or work furloughs this year in the aftermath of deep and continuing state budget cuts. Will Garland, our interim vice president for business affairs, and his staff anticipated budget cuts well in advance. Working to facilitate these cuts, while painful, has retained local jobs. Some other universities were not as fortunate. Whenever you see Will or Stacie Bowie or any other associate in Financial Services, congratulate them on a job well done.More good news: enrollment for the spring semester is up more than 400 students, which also provides a degree of financial relief. It offers proof that the reputation of our quality faculty is growing and that both our admissions and marketing programs are working well.
The recent announcement of our improved general bond rating by Moody’s is also encouraging.
In other news, David Evans in the Office of the Provost is conducting a test of Facebook advertising for summer school, our first foray into social network advertising beyond conventional online news outlets. Our Facebook ad, which ran during the holidays, generated more than 500 inquiries about summer school. The ad reached about 400,000 potential students.
Ahead on my radar are state approvals for a number of new buildings and other construction that we have planned for the campus; S.C. General Assembly consideration of the regulatory relief bill for universities and colleges; the selection of a lobbyist in Washington, D.C., to help secure new funding opportunities; and support for local job creation efforts. I’m also working with the Board of Trustees and Coastal Educational Foundation to monitor progress on the way we manage and invest the gifts that we receive from private donors.
Best wishes to all for a safe, rewarding semester. I look forward to seeing you around campus.
