New equipment in businesses is very complex and requires educated manufacturing talent, as well as engineering talent. The university could test the market by checking with industries to see what education and training will be needed in their workers. Part of the problem for the university is that it is better perceived outside than inside the state of New Hampshire. Informal gatherings could be arranged to talk about what goes on at the university. Disagreements between the faculty union and the university hurt its image.
Strength comes from relationships based on trust.
We need to be able to take risks without worrying about occasional lack of success. The rate of economic movement is very fast now, and we cannot wait until the trend is clear before acting, because that may be too late for the action to be effective. The land-grant university must be part of the fabric of the state. We must create a better communication mechanism and make sure our message of value resonates. The university must reach out to those who have the most influence on state policy.