Campus members review Whitlock

The Wall Street Journal and CNN are encouraging Americans to evaluate Barack Obama's performance during his first 100 days in the White House through online polls and 1-800 numbers. Within the past month members of Eastern's community have submitted presidential evaluations of their own, but not giving their opinion of Obama.

In addition to submitting hundreds of surveys, students, faculty, staff and Richmond community members convened in rooms of the Crabbe Library on Tuesday, April 27, to discuss Eastern president Doug Whitlock.

Each person who attended had been asked to participate in a focus group discussion with Steven Portch, a consultant hired by the university from the Pappas Consulting firm, to evaluate Whitlock's performance at Eastern.

Portch began his meetings at 7:30 a.m. with an entrance interview with Whitlock, followed by meetings with the Faculty Senate, deans of colleges, 17 department chairs, 10 community leaders, members of the staff council, and a group of student leaders.

All members of Eastern's campus were invited to attend a session on Tuesday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and while only eight faculty and staff members attended, the discussants were not short on things to say.

Portch asked a variety of questions within the hour, beginning with asking the group members to use one word to describe things a university president should be.

After brainstorming for a list of words, including "loyal," "eloquent," "passionate" and "innovative," Portch asked the group to give him some ways Whitlock fit those adjectives.

The faculty and staff present, being from several corners of campus, had different stories to tell with one thing in common - a sense of loyalty and pride.

"He's extremely close to all members of the Eastern community," one faculty member said. "I don't think I've ever sat in a meeting where he wasn't addressing people by name."

Another faculty member told Portch she hears student after student say being cared for as an individual is the key to retention and their happiness at Eastern.

"That's what Eastern is about and I think that's what Doug is about," she said. "He's very region-centered and very student-centered."

Group members seemed to struggle to find negative things to say about Whitlock, but they agreed the university still had several areas they thought could be improved with Whitlock's help. The group suggested improved retention, a better working relationship with departments like academic and financial affairs, simplifying the faculty hiring process and striving toward a goal of reaming affordable.

"We need to stay a university of opportunity for students who may not be able to go elsewhere," one discussant said. "We'll have to figure out how to pump the money in to students who need it and keep it that way.

A feeling of optimism and confidence in Whitlock surfaced among attendees.

"I feel lucky to be somewhere where I have such a warm and fuzzy feeling about my president," a new faculty member said. "He's not a career president. He's here because he loves Eastern and that's very evident."

Even though Portch was only here for one day, he said the discussions he had in the open forums and roundtable sessions were fruitful.

"Everyone I've talked to has been forthcoming, helpful, and honest," Portch said. "I've been doing this sort of thing since 2001.and I've got a pleasant job here [at Eastern], which isn't always the case."

Portch finished his day of interviews with an "exit meeting" with Whitlock. He will compile all survey results and interview notes to form a formal evaluation to give to the Board of Regents by their next meeting on June 8.