Art Dunning delivers Albany State University’s annual state of the university address

ALBANY — Albany State University President Art Dunning delivered the school’s annual state of the university address Thursday with his eye cast toward the past, while also looking ahead to the future.

“As I reflect upon the past year at Albany State University, I find myself thinking about a university that is making international news: steeped in history, on one hand, and poised for profound change on the other,” Dunning said. “The promise of ASU is exciting. The pulse of this place and its people is strong. The university is in good stead and good standing.”

Dunning looked back at 2015 and recounted the school’s achievements.

“In a historic visit to our campus, Gov. Nathan Deal traveled to Albany to sign a portion of the state budget that secured funding for the construction of the Fine Arts Building,” Dunning said. “The planning process is well under way — and we look forward to breaking ground this spring.”

The president then pointed out other milestones for the university such as the ASU Marching Band performing at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.; a $500,000 grant for a Veteran’s Center of Excellence; a $769,000 grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration to prevent the spread of AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases in Dougherty and Terrell counties; engaging in a relationship with UCLA which will allow ASU students to study in California while UCLA students can study in Albany; first time accreditation for ASU’s chemistry program, the Forensic Science program being the only one accredited in Georgia, and the Nursing program being listed as one of “America’s Best” by NurseJournal.org.; and ASU students having opportunities to study abroad last summer in China, Trinidad and Tobago and Belize.

“One of the biggest and most impactful developments of the year was the Nov. 10 announcement of the consolidation of Albany State University and Darton State College,” Dunning said. “I was honored to be named permanent president of Albany State University on the same day.”

But not all was wine and roses for ASU, and Dunning acknowledged those difficulties.

“Due to a continued decline in enrollment, we had to cut our budget by $3.5 million. We were able to do so with minimal impact to employees. For that, I am grateful, “Dunning said. “However, because it will take time to increase enrollment, we will be faced with a budget reduction of $1.3 million, beginning in July.”I have asked Institutional Effectiveness and Internal Audit to conduct classification analyses, which will enable the leadership team to determine how best to streamline our operation.

Dunning added irregularities in the school’s Financial Aid Department tarnished the ASU brand and it will take time to restore confidence in the office.

“Financial aid irregularities also presented some of the worst hits to our brand that you can imagine,” he said. “An audit revealed that we lacked proper protocols and procedures in the area. This revelation surfaced and played out during registration and enrollment. I am still proud that we took swift and corrective action; yet, we will still be recovering from the hit to our reputation for some time.”

The president then turned to the subject of creating a “new Albany State University” from the ongoing consolidation of the two schools.

“Earlier this week the consolidation committee met to begin addressing the tasks and plans associated with each of the operational work groups,” Dunning said. “Many of you will be asked to serve on one or more of these groups based on your expertise and your current role within the institution; we value your input. As I mentioned, consolidation will be a massive undertaking that must successfully occur within the projected 12 to 18 month time frame.

“The future of this great institution hangs in the balance of the successful implementation and completion of the effort. Consolidation is coming. We must find ways to be a part of the solution to Southwest Georgia’s higher education needs — and not a part of the problem.”