I open this week with more good news at Virginia Wesleyan University. Our good friend, longtime benefactor, and Trustee Emerita Joan Brock has generously made a gift to fund the expansion of the area connecting the Jane P. Batten Student Center and Boyd Dining Center.
The addition will be named Brock Commons, in honor of Joan and her late husband Macon. For those of you who don't know Joan, I'm sharing a link to her story found on our Joan P. Brock School of Mathematics and Natural Sciences page.
The expansion will provide a beautiful new main entrance to both facilities from the campus quad (pictured) and additional dining space. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2021. The architect of this project is Michael Schnekser of Tymoff + Moss.
Brock Commons is the final phase of renovations and expansion to our University dining facilities outlined in the 2016 Campus Master Plan facilitated by Derck and Edson of Litiz, PA. View dining center schematics here.
Earlier phases to the dining services renovation and expansion included last year's refurbishment 
of Founders Foyer, the President's Dining Room, and the Board of Trustees Suite (Shafer Room). In February, we opened the Coastal Market convenience store in the newly renovated Batten Plaza of the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Coastal Market offers more options than ever for our campus community with hours that expand access to on-the-go food options, toiletries, and more.
of Founders Foyer, the President's Dining Room, and the Board of Trustees Suite (Shafer Room). In February, we opened the Coastal Market convenience store in the newly renovated Batten Plaza of the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Coastal Market offers more options than ever for our campus community with hours that expand access to on-the-go food options, toiletries, and more.
Work began in December on several projects in Batten Plaza, an area recently rebranded to help better identify the multiple corridors of the Jane P. Batten Student Center and Boyd Dining Center. Projects included the transformation of the Marlin Grille to the new and improved Harbor Grill, which is also now open.
Renovation of the University Store to include Duplication and Postal Services is completed. Apparel, books, printing and mail services are now included in a more efficient one-stop shop.
In the next two weeks, the renovation of the former campus mail center will be completed, providing new office space for Student Activities, Greek Life, Conference and Event Services, and Dining Services. The space formerly occupied by Student Activities and Greek Life has been renovated to house Human Resources and Payroll Services.
These changes are part of a larger effort to increase efficiency, streamline services, and enhance the student experience at Virginia Wesleyan University.
ET CETERA
As I shared last week with the 437 presidents in the Climate Leadership Network, we like to think we are prepared for any campus crisis that comes our way. However, I don't believe any of us could have truly prepared for or anticipated what we're confronting this spring.
We are observing in real-time how higher education's assets can be mobilized to meet this immediate challenge. Higher education facilities are changing to serve as emergency shelters. Medical researchers are foregoing the urgency of publications in order to produce models and medicines to combat the virus. These shifts demonstrate that our sector can mobilize as leaders and redeploy our resources to develop solutions to society's greatest challenges.
As we move through this current crisis, we are getting a glimpse into how we might apply our strengths in new ways to address climate change. We can, and should, position ourselves at the center of these solutions. I know all of our shared activity through the Climate Leadership Network is one significant way we are advancing our mission to resolve these issues at the scale and speed that our world needs.
I've been chair of the Climate Leadership Steering Committee for two years, and am especially grateful for the friendships and personal connections that I've made through this organization. Our institutions have confronted the complex challenges of climate change head on, and I strongly believe that while our capacity is being tested, we will come through this stronger and more resilient for addressing the future challenge our society will face.
As we continue to focus on COVID-19, the leadership of Second Nature remains steadfastly committed to providing us the resources, relationships, credibility and knowledge to accelerate climate action through our college and university campuses.
While our respective presidential associations are focused on advocacy to provide relief for students and institutions, Second Nature is partnering with Ceres and other non-governmental organizations (NGO's) on pursuing state and federal policies that help us accelerate our institutional climate goals. Learn more about receiving monthly policy updates here. Second Nature has also published comprehensive Resilience Resources to assist in navigating these new campus challenges.
As my two-year term as chair of the Steering Committee draws to a close in June, Elsa Núñez, President of Eastern Connecticut State University, will assume the role. My simultaneous ex-officio position on the Second Nature Board of Directors also ends; however, I am honored that the Second Nature Board has voted and appointed me to a three-year term as a director. Representing such a diverse group of institutions, all committed to making a difference in their communities and in shaping the next generation of leaders has been an honor.
AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS
Thank you for the many expressions of support regarding our new Lakeland University Japan and Virginia Wesleyan University Global campus in Tokyo. I have appreciated each phone call, email, and note and the shared enthusiasm for this initiative. I will share additional updates as information becomes available. For the time being, please visit the LUJ website to learn more.
To reiterate my sentiments last week, we're excited to upgrade Convocation Hall to the new TowneBank Arena, not only for our athletic teams and special events, but for the comfort of our devoted Marlin fans. We are so grateful to TowneBank and thank them for their continued investment in intercollegiate athletics at Virginia Wesleyan. Read more about our new arena in this feature by WTKR News 3.
Through the generosity of Athletic Director Emerita Joanne Renn, along with two anonymous donors, the Virginia Wesleyan University Honors Foyer at the entrance of the new TowneBank Arena in the Jane P. Batten Student Center received a refreshing upgrade this week. View photos here.
Speaking of TowneBank Arena, demolition of the stands was completed last week and work has started on the new floor. View photos and a video of recent progress.
The new beautiful brick signage at the main entrance to campus is nearing completion. Michael Schnekser of Tymoff + Moss provided the architectural expertise to match the "front porch" of the University. Taylor Construction of Virginia Beach served as the contractor and Brian O'Neill, VWU/Norfolk Botanical Garden Director of Living Landscapes, provided the landscape design with the final landscaping completed by Winn Nursery of Norfolk. Lights, lettering, and grass seed are coming soon. View photos here.
Major progress was made on Coastal 61 at Oxford Village this week (view photos). As the project enters the final stretch toward completion, I share with you a link to learn more about availability: coastal61.com.
Read more here about the unique ways VWU faculty like John Rudel are altering their teaching methods to meet students' needs during this unprecedented time.
Last Tuesday we held a virtual meeting of the President's Leadership Council via Zoom. The PLC meets monthly in an effort to broaden discussion and participation in shared governance and to foster collaborative processes on key administrative issues. We decided our future meetings need to include a "best background" contest.
Help us support the Virginia Wesleyan University Class of 2020! From one Marlin to another, submit a message of encouragement for our seniors.
The spring 2020 newsletter for the Virginia Wesleyan Clarke Heritage Society members was recently published. View it here to enjoy a series of recent highlights and updates.
Read up on the latest accomplishments of Virginia Wesleyan University faculty and staff in the April edition of The Pharos.
The recent edition of Marlins SportSplash comes with exciting news for Virginia Wesleyan Athletics and special recognition of our 2020 senior class athletes. View more here.
STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES
REFLECTIONS
I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:
PRESIDENTIAL EVENTS
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# # #
As I mentioned in our virtual Fireside Chat recently, these are challenging times. While the coronavirus crisis continues to test us, we continue to do our best to take good care of our human and financial resources. I thank our faculty and staff for their dedication to this University and our students.
A recent survey of 142 college and universities presidents conducted by the Association of American Colleges & Universities and ABC Insights, a higher education data analysis consortium based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, revealed some unpleasant realities. According to the survey, more than 50 percent of higher education presidents expect this crisis to necessitate the laying off of some employees, and nearly 60 percent say they will likely furlough some workers. Additionally, more than 80 percent of presidents are predicting they will see lower enrollments in the fall--a worrisome development for private colleges like Virginia Wesleyan University whose budgets depend heavily on annual tuition and room and board revenues. View the full survey results reported in The Chronicle of Higher Education.
At Virginia Wesleyan, the work is in full swing. The Center for Enrollment Services continues to recruit first-year students for our upcoming class scheduled to arrive in August. The Center for Advancement is raising money for The Excellence Fund (operations) and a new emergency fund to assist students with unusual circumstances. Faculty and staff members are planning for the May Term and Summer Session. We intend to hold these classes remotely if it is not safe for students and faculty to meet in person. Though many buildings are locked and precautions are being taken, our University is not closed.
I send my best wishes for your personal health and well-being. Stay safe, stay well, and have a great week.
