February 26, 2007

President provides fourth update on issues of importance to the university

To: All faculty, staff, students, alumni, trustees, and friends of the university

From: Gregory L. Eastwood, MD
Interim President

Dear Friends,

This is the fourth in a series of letters to you that are intended to keep you informed about matters I think are important to Case Western Reserve University.

Board of Trustees Meeting, February 22-24, 2007

The Board of Trustees convenes three times a year, which includes meetings of the major committees (Audit, University Relations, Development, Campus Planning, Academic Affairs and Student Life, Finance, Trustees) and the full board. President-Elect Barbara Snyder, current provost at Ohio State University, attended and contributed to this board meeting. Barbara has visited the campus several times since the announcement of her appointment December 15, 2006, and she will be visiting periodically over the next several months to meet students, faculty, and staff on campus as well as friends of the university in the Cleveland community. Barbara is in frequent communication with me and others here at the University. It is clear to me that she already has a good understanding of university matters and will be well prepared when she begins July 1.

The Board also welcomed an old friend, Bruce Loessin, back to the university. Bruce became Senior Vice President for University Relations and Development January 23. Already we are benefiting from his ideas and actions.

The Board approved the addition of a new trustee, Linda Burnes Bolton, PhD, RN. Dr. Burnes Bolton is Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Cedars-Sinai Health System and Research Institute in Los Angeles, California. She is chair of the American Academy of Nursing and co-developed the National Black Nursing Association. Over the last twenty years, Dr. Burnes Bolton has played a vital role in raising issues of diversification in nursing education and practice.

Report of the Brand Task Group

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet."
Wm. Shakespeare

What Mr. Shakespeare did not anticipate was that Case Western Reserve University by any other name does not smell as sweet to many people, some of whom no doubt are reading this letter now.

The Brand Task Group (BTG), formed last summer under the leadership of Trustees Tim Callahan and Ted Schroeder, provided its final report to the Board of Trustees February 23. The Board of Trustees reaffirmed "that there has been no change to the name of the University, which remains Case Western Reserve University" and ratified and supported the recommendations of the BTG. The key recommendation is that "The University's official self-identification program should acknowledge Western Reserve as an equal partner with Case and formally represent itself in the market as Case Western Reserve University." The BTG also recommended that "the University should revise or recreate a logo and graphic identity" but continue with branding guidelines that "sustain and reinforce a comprehensive, consistent and recognizable university identity."

In arriving at its recommendations, the BTG received input from alumni, students, staff, students, and others, with the assistance of the consulting firm Lipman Hearne. A summary of the alumni and campus surveys is available on the BTG webpage at http://www.case.edu/president/btg/

In the coming days, the university will form an implementation group which will be charged with developing and implementing a process for recreating and adapting the university's graphic identity guidelines at minimal cost.

Financial Condition of the University

In a report to the Case Western Reserve University Board of Trustees through the Finance Committee, the university's senior leadership announced a forecasted deficit of $10.46 million, based on information through December 31, 2006, exactly half way through the current fiscal year. This forecast indicates that the university remains on track to close the fiscal year with the budgeted deficit of $10.5 million. The Board and University leadership re-committed to our financial recovery in fiscal year 2008.

Search for Dean, School of Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs

On February 21, I charged the search committee that will identify candidates for the next Dean of the School of Medicine and Vice President for Medical Affairs. The committee has been formed in accordance with the faculty by-laws and includes additional members of the School of Medicine community. The committee is staffed by Vida Tripodo. The chair is Dr. Jeffery Ponsky and its members are below.

The initial tasks of the committee will include developing the position description and determining the experiential and personal characteristics we are seeking for this position. In addition, the committee will identify a search firm and determine the next steps in the search process which will conclude with a final recommendation to president-elect Barbara Snyder. We will keep you informed through our communications and posting on the website http://casemed.case.edu/dean_search.cfm.

Capital Projects

Mandel Center. Construction of the new building for the Mandel Center, located on Bellflower Street, is on schedule with an anticipated occupation late summer 2007.

Alumni House. We anticipate dedication of the Alumni House on October 4, 2007. This is an existing home on Juniper Road that is being renovated to include inviting reception and meeting areas, offices for Alumni Association staff, and a business area for alumni.

University Arts and Retail District. A memorandum of understanding was signed late 2006 with two Cleveland developers, MRN and Zaremba, to create an area, located at the intersection of Mayfield Road and Euclid Avenue, that will benefit students, staff, faculty, employees of University Circle institutions, and our neighbors. We anticipate the project will include residential and retail development including a Barnes and Noble Bookstore. In addition, the development will be the new home of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA).

More Good News…

Marvin E. "Mike" Denekas spoke often of his beloved "Ruthie," his wife Ruth Durr Denekas, a devoted and caring nurse for many years. The 1940 alumna of Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing was just as devoted to her alma mater, and it's because of that affection that she and Mike left more than $2.3 million to the school to create an endowed chair and scholarship fund.

Thank you for your continued support of Case Western Reserve University.

Sincerely,

Gregory L. Eastwood, M.D.
Interim President