Contact:
Clayton Berry
Phone: 314.977.7117
berrycl@slu.edu

May 1, 2002

President Outlines the State of the University

Lawrence Biondi, S.J.

Before Biondi began his address, he asked the students, faculty and staff who gathered in the St. Louis Room for the event to join him in a moment of silent prayer for those who have been shattered by acts of terrorism and the strife between Palestinians and Israelis. He also prayed for peace for the war-torn region.

Biondi mentioned many of SLU's recent accomplishments and upcoming projects: the opening of a new cancer center and plans to construct a research facility and to renovate the student center.

"I am proud to stand before you to report that the state of Saint Louis University is very strong," Biondi said. "This should not come as a shock to anyone nor should we consider it as inconsequential."

Biondi focused most of his address on informing the University community about another important issue: SLU's evaluation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Every 10 years, the group's Higher Learning Commission conducts a comprehensive review of the entire University. The process is preceded by a self-study, a process that took two years to complete.

While the University's academic programs are examined and validated by external groups all the time, the North Central Association evaluation is the most significant, Biondi said.

A team of eight consultant-evaluators from the North Central Association was on campus for SLU's comprehensive review in April. The team's visit to St. Louis was preceded by a visit to the Madrid Campus -- the first time that the campus in Spain has been included in a North Central accreditation visit. The consultant-evaluators met with Biondi and a wide array of SLU students, faculty, staff, administrators and trustees.

Although the official NCA report will not be presented until this summer, the team's unofficial presentation of their findings identified many University strengths, including SLU's deep commitment to his mission. Team members also were impressed by physical enhancements to the campus since their prior site visit in 1992.

"While these results are unofficial until the written report is received, they are still cause for our celebration and certainly congratulations are in order," Biondi said. "Each one of us who is associated with our University should be bursting with great pride for our collective and team driven achievements, validated by the North Central team."

Biondi also addressed the issue of communication, calling for additional dialogue at every level of the University. He added that significant progress had been made in this arena, but sad more can be done to ultimately strengthen shared governance at SLU.

This University-wide participation led to the development of SLU's strategic plan, which Biondi said will move Saint Louis University ever closer toward the distinction of becoming the finest Catholic university in the United States within the decade. "I know that it is the high level of intensity and purpose of our SLU community, our shared vision for SLU, our unwavering commitment to our mission, our strong belief in our Jesuit values and heritage that sets SLU apart from other great academic research institutions," Biondi said. "Our mission makes Saint Louis University truly the place "where knowledge touches lives."

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