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News Release BOISE STATE NEWS / Aug. 20, 2008 Kustra Highlights Increasing Quality of Students, Faculty in Annual State of the University Address Boise State University President Bob Kustra outlined a future that focuses on a residential campus culture, responds to the enhanced academic profile of the student body and places more value on faculty research and scholarship. He spoke about these issues and more in his annual State of the University address this morning. “We are excited about the prospect of such a defining moment in the history of Boise State,” said Kustra, now entering the sixth year of his presidency. KTVB’s 24/7 channel will air a one-hour broadcast of the State of the University address this week. A podcast of the State of the University address will also be available via www.boisestate.edu. The first day of classes for the fall 2008 semester is Aug. 25. The residence halls open on Aug. 22. Following an all-time state enrollment record of 19,540 students last fall, Boise State expects to have about 20,000 students this fall, marking an increase for the 20th time in the last 23 years. Kustra’s administration has been marked in part by an emphasis on upgrading admissions standards. Significant scholarship opportunities have been created, including the Langroise National Merit Scholars, Boise State Capital Scholars, and Presidential Civic Leadership Scholars. “Over the course of the last few years, we have focused on recruiting high-ability students to Boise State. Our efforts have had a dramatic impact on the academic profile of our student body,” said Kustra, noting a 10 percent increase in the number of incoming students who ranked in the top quarter of their high school class from 2003 to 2007. Kustra also recognized the accomplishments and enhanced stature of the Boise State faculty, which number more than 600 full-time professors. Boise State has been home to the Idaho Professor of the Year 11 times since 1990 for undergraduate teaching excellence, and faculty members such as Kris Campbell in engineering, Alex Punnoose in physics, Denise Wingett and Kevin Feris in biological sciences, and Brady Udall and Tony Doerr in English have garnered national acclaim. “Our faculty enjoys a wide range of intellectual and professional accomplishments, including placement in the finest scholarly journals, significant external funding of their research, recognition of distinguished community service and, of course, our traditional emphasis on excellence in classroom teaching and learning,” Kustra said. The changing dynamics of Boise State’s students and faculty are also evident in a campus culture that is shifting from solely a commuter school to a residential community. Boise State is in the planning stage of a student housing initiative that will more than double the residential units on campus. The development is contingent upon approval of the State Board of Education. As part of Boise State’s campus master plan, the new student housing would be located across the street from the parking garage on Lincoln Avenue between University Drive and Beacon Street. The first phase could provide up to 900 beds by the fall of 2010 in potentially a 2,500-bed community. Boise State’s campus housing currently accommodates about 2,200 students. The former University Inn has been used for overflow housing, but the building has been designated as the future site of a new College of Business and Economics complex. In 2004, Boise State increased housing capacity by 63 percent when it opened new residence halls along the Boise River Greenbelt and a suite-style complex on University Drive. “Even with our relatively new housing on campus, there are demands from our students every fall that we simply cannot meet,” Kustra said. “We have begun discussions with a firm about significantly increasing housing opportunities on campus, thereby creating a dominant residential campus culture at Boise State.” Other State of the University highlights included: • Welcome to 62 new faculty members as well as new deans Melissa Lavitt in the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs, Pat Shannon in the College of Business and Economics, and Barbara Morgan as a Distinguished Educator in Residence; • Update on campus master plan, including expansion of Student Union Building, construction of the Norco Building for the Department of Nursing and University Health Services and planning for the Center for Environmental Science and Economic Development, the first major building on campus dedicated to research; • Creation of the new position of Executive Director of Campus Security and enhanced security measures in light of the Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois shootings, including a mass emergency notification system and a campus assessment by Homeland Security; • Total of $96.8 million raised of the $175 million goal in the “Destination Distinction” comprehensive fundraising campaign through private support. -30- Media Contact: Frank Zang, University Communications, (208) 426-5391, frankzang@boisestate.edu Boise State University is “The New U Rising” with record student enrollment, new academic buildings, additional degree programs and a growing research agenda. Learn more at www.boisestate.edu.
Last reviewed on Wednesday, August 20, 2008
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