President John T. Casteen, III delivered his 20th and final State of the University address yesterday in Old Cabell Hall auditorium.
During his address, Casteen focused on assessing the University's current condition and the evolution of the institution during the course of his 20-year-long presidency. He chose to not discuss the future of the University, however.
Much of the address focused on the University's ongoing financial challenges in light of the continuous effects of the economic downturn. At the beginning of the academic year, Casteen said the University absorbed three reductions in state funding that totaled $32 million. These cuts were quickly followed in October by an additional cut of $19 million.
Former Gov. Tim Kaine had recommended regaining some of these lost funds by implementing a furlough day during which University employees would be forced to take a temporary leave of absence and not collect a day's salary.
"I ask that they eliminate the furlough rather than doing the internal damage it would cause," Casteen said. "Everyone understands that the furlough is a short-term approach to a structural problem."
Casteen went on to say that tuition inevitably will go up as state reductions continue but that the University will emphasize continued funding of AccessUVa. The financial aid program partially has allowed for the University's steady recognition as a value college by publications such as Princeton Review, he said.
Moreover, alumni and friends are beginning to see AccessUVa as personal commitments to the next generation and want to contribute to it, he added, citing the friends, family and supporters of former Dean of Admissions John Blackburn who raised nearly $1.9 million for the financial aid program.
Despite these financial challenges, the University has seen growth throughout the past 20 years, as well, Casteen said. Since 1990, 134 new buildings have been built across Grounds. The University also has worked to increase opportunities for students by increasing access to technology and implementing more study abroad programs. In 1990, there were fewer than 10 faculty-led University study abroad programs. The University now is ranked third on a list of public universities across the country that send the most students abroad, he said.
Additionally, the percentages of female and minority students has greatly increased, he said.
Not all of Casteen's time at the University was smooth sailing, however. Among the challenges he faced was restructuring curriculum requirements, which he expressed regret for not completing.\n"We have not addressed need to reform curriculum in every program," he said. "Our students wish to be competent in foreign languages and they take these courses but have not learned to use the language in the way they would like. We need to develop better teaching methods in America."
Casteen also said institutions of higher education must ensure that students do not neglect any facet of their studies, specifically pointing to the University's math requirements.
"We need to build vigorous mathematics in every student's learning," he said. "We have got to deal with the reality that students who are not taking math in their first year are losing opportunities."\nCasteen additionally acknowledged that the University is the largest university in the United States without a concert hall.
He expressed regrets about the renovation of Campbell Hall, as well, which began in 2006. It is more apparent now that the University could have spent less money and given more space to the Architecture School if the arts program had been moved to the Bayly Building, which houses the University Art Museum, he said.
Despite these regrets, Casteen looked back on his term fondly, noting that faculty and staff members, students, parents, alumni and friends support and give life to the University.
"Thank you for 20 wonderful years," he said. "I will get out of the way so President Sullivan can do what she needs to do."
The address was open to the public and attended by faculty, staff and students, many of whom praised the president for his accomplishments.
"I really think that the president has made an extraordinary difference for the University during his 20 years," Dean of Students Allen Groves said.
Dion Lewis, the assistant dean in the Office of African-American Affairs, expressed similar sentiments.
"Although he didn't give answers to everything, he did in fact enlighten us on the direction the University is moving with some of his initiatives," he said. "I thought today's speech was a great way, in many ways, to tell us about current issues facing the University, but also the successes that he has had as president for this long time."
Overall, Casteen's final State of the University address drew a positive response from the community.
"President Casteen's report to the University community underscored the tremendous contributions he has made to U.Va. over 20 years," said Leonard Sandridge, the executive vice president and chief operating officer. "His vision, leadership and commitment to excellence were evident in the results achieved. Few have served with such dedication and none have accomplished more than John Casteen"
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