MSU faculty members filled the Procrastinator Theatre on Jan. 18 for President Cruzado’s second annual listening session.

Cruzado used the session as an opportunity to introduce “Open MSU,” a comprehensive program developed to streamline processes and reduce anxiety for all levels of university personnel.   

Cruzado emphasized that Open MSU will not be used to eliminate personnel positions, but to accommodate the increasing number of students in a more efficient manner.  “We’re going to be serving more students and we need to do things in a better way,” Cruzado stated.  

The program relies on campus expertise rather than externally-hired consultants and promotes sensible change for staff working environments.  

The Gallatin College Programs (GCP) were popularly discussed at Wednesday’s session after an audience member mentioned MSU’s retention rate.  Cruzado said that the GCP may help improve the 50.8 percent graduation rate.  “We lead the state, but it’s still not acceptable,” she said.

Cruzado explained that an associates degree earned through the GCP can be used as a starting point for enrollment at MSU.  Students who attend the GCP prior to MSU can enter college with 9 to 12 credits completed, encouraging them to graduate.    

While the rate of high school graduates has decreased, Cruzado explained that with the growth in the number of transfer students and the potential attraction of GCP students, the six-year graduation rate may soon be on its way up.      

Before opening the session to questions and comments from audience members, Cruzado emphasized the many achievements of MSU in 2011, including Engineers without Borders’ work in receiving the McGrath Award, the selection of Bobcat football’s Rob Ash as Liberty Mutual’s Coach of the Year and the installation of new stadium lights.

Cruzado also stated her excitement for the coming year with the finalization of the Cooley Lab renovation, the construction of a new residence hall and business college building and the 75th anniversary of the nursing program.

If you think we accomplished a lot of things [in 2011], wait for the future,” Cruzado said.  “I think you’re going to love tomorrow.”