In my September report I described how changes in the economy might affect the college. Although I’m confident Warren Wilson will thrive in the years ahead, I now have a better idea of the steps we must take to ensure that it does. After addressing some general fiscal challenges, this report mentions some recent decisions that will enhance our mission while still responding to new budgetary pressures.

While the world pitched and swayed around us, October brought campus events reminding us that Warren Wilson continues to move along in pleasantly predictable ways. For example, we enjoyed a successful Homecoming/Reunion on a beautiful fall weekend; the Board of Trustees had a productive meeting at which they welcomed four new trustees and approved our 2009-2010 budget; the Student Caucus joined Evelyn and me for a great meal (courtesy of Brian and his colleagues); and the Environmental Leadership Center met with its very strong group of supporters.

This September report to campus includes a "state-of-the-college" update I presented to Staff Forum yesterday afternoon, focused mainly on the economy. The complete text is included below. In addition, I want to thank all of you who participated in the fabulous Homecoming, reunion, and family events this past weekend. And finally, my congratulations to Jessica Wooten and the Recycling Crew for our being designated the nation’s "leading school for waste reduction and recycling" by the National Wildlife Federation.

Sandy Pfeiffer

Since my last report, the fine work of many members of our community has brought recognition to the College. I’ll mention a few examples in this report, while also including brief updates on service, enrollment, budget, and governance.

John Bowers (JB) might be surprised to learn that yesterday morning—at around 4 a.m., in Amherst, Massachusetts at the beginning of a day that included a talk with a Warren Wilson alumnus, a brief visit with my Amherst College professors (who’s still active in teaching and publishing), and the usual mania involved with business travel today—I found myself reading the latest issue of the Owl & Spade in the relative comfort of a hotel between Smith College and Amherst College, on a road I hitchhiked, drove, or motorcycled countless times as an undergraduate four decades ago. JB is a fine writer and editor whose prose could keep any reader riveted to the page in the wee hours of the morning and who would have done serious surgery on the long sentence I just read. So I have him to thank for providing me with an avenue into this my third convocation address.

Last night Evelyn and I hosted a dinner for about 25 friends of the College, who then accompanied us to a great Swannanoa Gathering concert at Kittridge. Having the Gathering as part of our community during the summer reminds me that the culture at this college has extraordinary depth and diversity throughout the entire year. Besides attending events like Gathering concerts and taking some vacation, I’ve spent much of the summer planning for the year ahead. The planning continues next week when the President’s Advisory Council holds a retreat to discuss major issues for the current academic year and beyond. I thought I would use this “summer report” to cover a couple such issues. By the way, this year I’ll continue my custom of sending you periodic reports that are also posted on my web site. Besides the report you’re now reading, there will be eight more: for August, September, November, December/January (combined), February, March, April, and May/June/July (combined).

Warren Wilson College is regarded as a sustainability leader in higher education. The practices for which we’ve been recognized have had a significant impact upon the economic, social/cultural, and environmental health of the College, region, and planet. Given our commitment to sustainability both within and beyond the College, I’m writing to announce a change that further demonstrates this commitment.

With the end of the semester just a few weeks away, I’ve decided to send you a combined report that looks back to April as well as forward to May. My next report, which will cover late May and June, will likely come your way about July 7, after the July 4 holiday.

In March, campus activities began to accelerate to a pace that won’t slow until Commencement, after which point the summer cycle starts—with summer work crews, the Gathering music festival, our culinary school, and more. Recently Sam Scoville told me that in summers past, faculty and staff labored together on projects like painting buildings and the like. Though I don’t suspect we’ll return to that model, hearing about it reminded me that we live in a special community with a unique history and culture. We’re also special in how we handle spiritual matters, so I thought I would speak to that issue in this month’s report.

I am very pleased to announce that Dr. Paula Garrett has been promoted to the position of Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College (VPAA/DOTC), effective July 1, 2008. She and Interim VPAA John Casey will be working very closely in the coming months to plan the transition.