None of us who supported this move believed any differently. Certainly, the eyes of the state are on us, and other institutions will be observing our progress. It is important that we document everything we do, not only for our own instruction but to help others avoid our mistakes and profit from what we do correctly. As we have begun developing a procedure by which entering students may, if they wish, purchase a computer at the Bookstore, word has circulated on the campus that proceeds from computer sales will be used to fund unrelated projects or activities. This is not true.
State law requires that Bookstore profits be used only for student financial aid.
This statute, applicable statewide, allows no other use of profits from campus bookstores. A reporter asked me recently if I thought that the computer issue was the most important item that we were dealing with this year. Technology is only a tool to assist faculty members in developing the level and type of quality education that you know your students will need as they complete their degrees. First, there is the issue of assessment of senior-level performance. This type of program will satisfy SACS, but more importantly, it will help us document that we are providing a world-class education.