Carleton president Roseann Runte remained largely positive, while also highlighting future challenges for the university in her annual “State of the University” address in Fenn Lounge Sept. 20.
The speech touched on a wide range of themes, including sustainability, renewal, and plans for the future of the university.
The address also served to highlight some of the successes the university had experienced. Notable achievements included higher entrance averages for incoming students, the completion of major construction projects on campus, and ongoing renovations to existing buildings.
However, Runte did note that Carleton would face challenges as well. She cited “growing costs” as a concern for the university, which means that the school will have to be “innovative and resourceful,” but that it was “nothing new for Carleton.”
Another area of concern was the demographic shift that Canada is experiencing, and as a result, the shrinking pool of university candidates.
Runte said Carleton will have to be “extremely aggressive and successful in recruiting,” and offered a number of suggestions to this end. They included seeking new basins of recruitment, through technology, geography, and age distribution.
Overall, Runte’s message to the audience was a positive one, highlighting the successes of staff, faculty and students.
“This is our opportunity to create new goals and determine the measures of success ourselves. We know the world is changing and we are constantly told that higher education must change as well. This seems the perfect opportunity for a creative university aiming at excellence,” Runte said.
