Frawley's vision for UMW

By MELISSA NIX

AUDIO: Interview with UMW president William Frawley

Forty-eight days into his tenure, the University of Mary Washington's new president talked frankly with faculty about the need for change.

And not just change for change's sake, but the sort that emanates from a faculty-inclusive, head-scratching, critically minded examination of what the school does well and can do better--including become a more visible player in the life of the Fredericksburg region.

William Frawley, who began work July 1, delivered his first State of the University address yesterday morning before 200 faculty members. He offered his assessment of UMW's successes and its unmet potential.

He noted the school received a 35 percent boost in state funding over last year--the largest increase among Virginia's public colleges.

He applauded UMW on moving up in U.S. News & World Report's rankings for 2007--from eighth to sixth on its list of the best Southern universities with master's programs.

But Frawley was frank, too, about the need to shake things up.

"Now, while the state of UMW is very good, so is the state of our competitors. Virginia is one of the most competitive states for higher education," Frawley said. "For every UMW, there is a GMU or VCU or JMU."

How do we advance to the level of a "Wake Forest, Colgate, Bucknell, Bowdoin, Wesleyan and Davidson?" he asked, referring to private liberal arts schools that rank high on U.S. News' list.

Frawley tied such advancement to 10 "guideposts."

He wants UMW to increase its diversity, community presence and national prestige as well as enhance the experience faculty and students have at the school.

He started his list with "values," asserting the importance of high academic standards, straightforward talk, vibrant campus life, a sense of common purpose and focused, informed decision making.

He also said UMW needs to look more like the world around it. "We need to grab the diversity issue by the horns and act on it decisively," Frawley said. He suggested seeking exchanges with historically black colleges and universities as well as international programs.

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Strong values -- High academic standards, straightforward talk, justifiable decisions, ideas celebrated, a common purpose, action-driven brainstorming, vibrant student and faculty life. 21st century makeover -- Take stock of everything--from majors to faculty research--and give UMW a 21st century feel. Down to business -- Decisions should be plan-driven, and those plans should be knowledge- and principle-driven. Melting pot -- Frawley: "The institution needs to look more like the world around us. We need to grab the diversity issue by the horns and act on it decisively." Be a player -- UMW should take the lead in issues like regionalism and seek to do studies and planning papers for the state and localities. Well-oiled machine -- Frawley recently unveiled a plan to streamline UMW's administration. Campus of the future -- Plan for UMW's future, not just the present. Don't be shy -- Frawley: "Tell others more about ourselves and tell ourselves more about us." Live it up -- Frawley: "Academic life is more than the books. UMW must work vigorously on social-academic life and on town-university partnerships more broadly."

Less talk, more action -- No more task-forcing issues to death. Find out what needs to be done and do it.

'Anytime you grow, it can be awkward. [Still,] the vibe seems to be that people are ready for change. Gillian Bearnes, new assistant professor at UMW

Date published: 8/25/2006

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