Rei Solicitudo: Stewardship of our Campus Resources
Planning & Growth
We're proud of the investments we have made in our facilities and surrounding spaces in recent years. Since 2000, the University has completed no less than five major building projects: the new Patrick and Margaret DeNaples Campus Center, the new Condron Hall residence facility, and Pilarz Hall and Montrone Hall, joint residence and campus life space. Just last year, we completed work on the state-of-the-art Loyola Science Center. And we're not done yet. In spring 2013, the University announced plans to construct a new, 111,500 square foot rehabilitation center. This advanced facility, designed and constructed by local teams and built using LEED standards, is expected to cost $47.5 million. It will provide much needed, modern space for the University's exercise science, occupational therapy, and physical therapy programs. The building will connect to McGurrin Hall through a new, unified entrance area, creating direct pathways for collaboration amongst programs in the Panuska College of Professional Studies.
In 2012, the University was recognized by U.S. News and World Report as being one of forty institutions throughout the nation that operates "most efficiently." This distinction commends the University on being able to achieve high academic quality while judiciously managing spending per student. According to the publication, universities recognized in this way "are doing a good job in managing their financial resources relative to other schools that may have larger state funding, higher tuition, or larger endowments."
Several administrative divisions of the University engaged in review and revision of their tactical plans. Tactical plans form an important part of the University's Planning & Institutional Effectiveness model, and are the guiding force behind the implementation of our strategic plan. To see an example of this work, click here to view the new Planning & Information Resources tactical plan.
Sustainability & Technology
Sustainability isn't just a catchphrase at the University, it's an ongoing, practical commitment to caring for our campus resources. In 2013, this commitment was furthered with the development of a new staff position at the University: Director of Sustainability. This position is responsible for University wide environmental stewardship, promoting and coordinating campus sustainability efforts, and fostering a culture for sustainable initiatives that engages all members of the campus community. The University recently installed filtered water bottling stations in the DeNaples Center, and due to the great success of the stations - over 30,000 bottles of water refilled since last year - is expanding this practice to other campus facilities this year. This expansion is partially funded by a grant awarded by the University's SIFE Club. Other sustainable practices include the installation of high efficiency boilers and domestic water heaters in 2012-13; the purchase of twenty LED outdoor light fixtures; and the installation of approximately 100 LED par lamps and mini spot lamps in the DeNaples Center.
This past year, the University completed two major updates to its web presence, unveiling a new my.scranton portal for faculty, staff, and students, and a new web page design. The new structure follows principles of responsive web design, enabling our site to adapt dynamically to multiple viewing platforms - desktops, large screens, tablets, and mobile phones.
Campus Life
This past year, the Office of Human Resources completed an update to the University's handbook for staff and administrators. This compendium of employment policies reflects current practices and appropriate compliance with legal mandates. Human Resources also introduced new training opportunities for managers who supervise staff, offering guidance on how to conduct performance evaluations, and launched the For Your Benefit series of learning sessions. This series, covering topics such as retirement readiness and mid- and early-career retirement planning, is designed to provide information and guidance to employees on various benefits and life issues. Information on all of these resources is available from the new Human Resources web site, launched this year. Our emphasis on campus wellness and support programming is now recognized nationally: in 2012, the University ranked as the 25th "Healthiest" college in the U.S., according to Greatist.com. This ranking recognizes the University's "exceptional food, fitness facilities, health services, health-related programming, and just plain old happy students."
In 2012-13, the University introduced a new debit meal plan for staff, enabling staff to save up to 6% on all campus dining when using their RoyalCard. The University also launched the Blackboard Mobile Transact app, which allows all RoyalCard holders to monitor their account, view transaction histories, and manage deposits from their mobile device. Other individuals (like mom and dad) can also add funds to RoyalCard accounts using this app.The RoyalCard has also been redesigned, giving it a brand new look.
Selected Strategic Indicators
- In 2012-13, average freshman financial award: $25,338. Average undergraduate aid package: $22,006.
- 40 new businesses developed locally with support of the University's SBDC, helping to create 108 new jobs.
- The SBDC helped secure over $6 million in funding for small business clients, nearly $2 million more than last year.
- The University's local economic impact for the prior fiscal year (2011-12) is estimated at $404 million dollars.
- In 2013, over $160,000 was budgeted to enhance mediated classroom technologies. This is in addition to $276,000 allocated in 2012-13 to update classroom and meeting space technologies in Brennan Hall, home to the Kania School of Management.
- Over $6 million invested in facilities improvements and capital projects over the past year.
- 237 tons of materials were recycled in 2012-13.
