New regents president plans partnerships

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Summer Wildcat Regent Judy Gignac

Enhanced partnerships with Arizona's schools and community colleges is key to the future of the University of Arizona, the new president of the Arizona Board of Regents said Monday.

Incoming President Judy Gignac said that if she can "encourage and improve the communications and joint collaborations between [grade schools, high schools, community colleges and the three universities] for the betterment of all of Arizona," she will consider her presidency successful.

Collaboration between state universities and community colleges will make it easier for community college students to transfer into a university, said Gignac, who became president July 1.

"Through advising and degree programs, we want them [to be able to transfer] with the least loss of credit as possible," she said.

The other part of Gignac's goal applies to K-12 and university partnerships. She said understanding the demographics and the strengths of children in elementary schools will help "universities produce the highest level of teachers for the K-12 grades."

Outgoing regents President Rudy Campbell agreed.

"Everyone is on the same agenda, wanting to improve the quality of teachers available," Campbell said Thursday.

Another of Gignac's priorities for the 1998-1999 school year is running more efficient board of regents meetings. Each regent will be responsible for researching her or his own issues, she said. She also said she plans to streamline the agenda and eliminate unnecessary items.

"We should create time to allow the board to address the biggest issues," Gignac said.

She added that she wants to focus on the globalization of Arizona's higher education system and improve government relationships.

According to Gignac, globalization includes industry-university partnerships vital for maintaining a high level of technology in the classroom.

Not all regents agree with Gignac on the upcoming year's priorities.

"In our strategic planning, we need to discuss how education will be delivered," said Regent Hank Amos. "We need to look at things from the students' perspective."

Regent Jack Jewett said the board should focus more on the costs of maintaining a top-notch university system. He added that the scope of the recently approved UA construction projects is "substantial.

"We will get a greater understanding of what it costs to have a [top-notch] university system," he said.

Gignac also addressed the importance of maintaining a positive image.

"How the U of A markets itself in the changing demographics of the state and the country is very important," Gignac said.

"Its stature and prestige nationwide far exceeds what you think it is, and we need to nurture and protect that [image]," she added.