CSC president tells of progress

Two areas of progress she spoke about are the college’s capital construction projects and its increased enrollment. During the 40-minute speech, she also introduced new employees, told about other personnel changes and gave an update of CSC’s fund-raising efforts.

Although much of the campus is “torn up” for renovations this fall, she said the construction is a sign of progress and shows that CSC is healthy and growing.

The largest of those projects is the $4.8 million renovation of the Administration Building, the college’s oldest structure.

Park reported that most of the remaining construction on the Administration Building is in the basement and first floor as the top two floors are nearing completion. When finished, the building will be a state-of-the-art learning facility for justice studies, social sciences, teacher education, communication arts, and English and Humanities.

Although the building is expected to be completed this fall, she said the decision of whether or not to move faculty and classes into the building at the beginning of the spring semester will be made toward the end of the semester.

“I promised people that I will not move faculty back into the building until construction is completely finished,” she said. “I feel that we probably won’t move students into classrooms either while there’s hammering and other construction activity going on.”

Park said that the construction of a new plaza between the Administration Building and Sparks Hall will now move forward because the new parking lot north of the main residence hall complex has been completed. She also noted that 650 new windows have been placed on campus during the past two years, improving energy efficiency and functionality.

Park said the college’s anticipated enrollment increase this fall will help counter inflation and wage increases.

“The cost of many of our essential goods and services have increased beyond any increases we’ve had from our two revenue sources, which are the state and our tuition.”

She said that CSC was expecting more than 50 international students this fall, a figure that more than doubles last year’s enrollment of learners from other countries. The students originate from a wide variety of nations, she said, including the Ukraine and Russia where CSC has forged relationships with their institutions.

“We are making great strides with our international student enrollment and our hope is that it will help our students from Nebraska and the High Plains have a more global experience while here at Chadron State.”