After slew of changes, class of ‘97 may not recognize parts of TCU
When Chancellor Ferrari leaves TCU in May, students will be graduating who entered TCU the same time he did.
COMMENTARY
John-Mark Day

Five years, while a long time in the life (and checkbook) of a student, is not quite forever in the career of an administrator.

That being said, TCU is a very different place than it was five years ago. Buildings are up where there were once long stretches of grass, or parking spots. New programs are in place, new scholarships, new fees. Students who graduated in 1997 didn’t know the meaning of words such as flat-rate tuition, enrollment cap or what it meant to have a Commission on the Future of TCU. Has anything really changed, though? Is five years really long enough to accomplish what Chancellor Ferrari set out to do — make TCU into a prominent (read: Tier-1) private university recognized for global leadership and ethical perspective?

In many senses, things have changed. TCU really is a dynamic, rapidly-moving university. Buildings get changed around more often than that flower patch outside of the library. New technology and new students have come into those classrooms thanks to significant fund raising and new programs like the Community Scholars scholarship. And Ferrari has instilled his mission, vision and values across the board, calling anyone affiliated with TCU to act as an “ethical leader and responsible citizen of the global community.”

But in many ways, nothing has changed. Our mission, vision and values statements still seem to be the most applicable only when the phrase “ ... in the business school” is added to the end. For the most part, that new technology is either ignored or causes a professor to spend half of class time getting that blue screen to go away. Food service will be ruled by Sodexho into perpetuity, and there will never be enough parking behind the Tom Brown-Pete Wright Residential Community.

So while TCU is moving, the school has much further yet to go. A quick look through that vision statement Ferrari extended to the university shows what still remains to be done.

TCU’s Vision: To be a prominent private university recognized for our global perspective, our diverse and supportive learning community, our commitment to research and creative discovery and our emphasis on leadership development.

Certain aspects, like gaining in prominence, certainly are happening. Applications have increased every year, prompting a new enrollment cap. TCU, and various departments within the school, are continually mentioned on a national level. And two years ago we had a Heisman Trophy candidate (OK, this isn’t something a vision statement could have planned on, but was likely one of the most important factors in the school’s new level of recognition).

But many people still perceive us as “that little school in Texas.” It will take more widespread application of this vision statement to pull up prominence.

For example, that bit about global perspective and diverse community could use some more looking at. The cost of this prominent education, for one thing, limits any kind of socioeconomic diversity we could hope for. And then racially, even as enrollment numbers strive to be diverse, The Main becomes once again a shining bastion to self-segregation.

As far as research and creative discovery go, the university (and donors) tend to put money where the emphasis is. This is why the students in the business school get private-access, locked computer labs while anyone in any music program has to fight over the few practice rooms. Students at TCU are talented enough across the board to bring the school to prominence, but they will need refreshed support from the university in all areas.

Finally, leadership development. TCU has an excellent leadership program. Unfortunately, the grand irony is that any student at TCU in a leadership role is too busy actually leading to sit in a class and learn how to be a leader. The university is quick to recognize students who fulfill school-mandated roles of leadership while ignoring those who have blazed a trail in their respective departments.

But all this moving forward is now left to someone else. When Ferrari leaves TCU in May, he will leave behind him a job requiring someone able to come in and start action. A broad vision has been cast, and now comes the time for someone who can step up and realize that vision.

John-Mark Day is a senior religion and news-editorial journalism major from St. Joseph, Mo.