New MU chancellor discusses plans for student enrollment, engagement
University of Missouri chancellor Alexander Cartwright sat down with reporters for the first time since joining the university in August and discussed his long-term plans for the university.
Cartwright fielded questions on a number of topics, including the future of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students at the university, as well as how he plans to improve community engagement and increase scholarship opportunities for incoming students.
Cartwright signed the Missouri Land Grant Compact in August, which will offer grants to low income students next year. The scholarships will be offered to Missourians eligible for Pell Grants and will cover the full cost of tuition for some honors students. Mizzou estimated the grants could help thousands of students.
That new compact is expected to provide a small boost in enrollment by allowing students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford college to be able to attend Mizzou.
ABC17 News has already reported on the university’s new strategic enrollment management committee, which has been tasked with creating new ways to increase enrollment. Beyond that, Cartwright said he didn’t have any other specific solutions.
“That process is complex and it’s going to take us a number of months to arrive at the final stratefic enrollment plan,” he said. “It will probably be out between May and June of next year.”
When it comes to DACA, Cartwright said it’s hard for university officials to say exactly what they plan to do at this point because the future of the program is uncertain.
“As soon as we know what will happen, we hope to reach directly out to the students and talk to them,” he said.
The chancellor provided an update on the current budget situation at the university and said they’re currently reviewing all the programs available.
“I think it’s a healthy thing to do at this time, to be thinking about which programs we might be sunsetting over time,” he said. “You don’t just cut things just to cut. What you’re doing is thinking about then where do we want to invest and how are we going to grow.”
Students that are currently enrolled in those programs will have the opportunity to complete them, he said.
Cartwright encouraged better collaboration between the university and the greater community, citing the tremendous economic impact the university has on Columbia and surrounding cities, especially through job creation.
The chancellor also encouraged what he called “difficult conversations” with the community about the university perception and certain programs.
“As soon as I hear about something and it’s in our power to make changes that make that better, we’re trying to change that,” he said. “The feedback from the community is incredibly valuable. I need to know what the community feels.”
