FVSU Blog

Chancellor Davis visits FVSU

It’s like preparing for royalty when University System of Georgia’s Chancellor Errol B. Davis, Jr. visits campus.  This week, he met separately with Dr. Rivers, the administrative council, FVSU students, faculty and spoke at a luncheon attended by community residents.  I attended Davis’  “listening” session with VP’s at 10:30 a.m., Monday.  This is the council’s opportunity to ask  the man who runs the state university system any question.  The question on many of our minds is one that impacts our pocketbook.  How long will we deal with budget woes?  Before I left my back office, I planned to ask that question first before we discuss anything else.  Davis is candid.  “We’ve got to learn to do business differently and make structural changes.”  My takeaway:  There will be no influx of cash coming from state government.

His words are sobering.   He couldn’t find an upbeat tone to deliver such gloomy news.  FVSU will have to do more with less, despite our growth in student enrollment.  There will never be enough money to go around.   Sounds like the way many of our families have to live our lives.  Somehow we’ve always “found a way, made a way” to make ends meet.  My grandmother often reminded us as children to prioritize needs from  wants.  She’d stretch the amount of  hamburger in meatloaf by adding some bread crumbs.  It tasted just as good or better.   Sometimes, she’d make sandwiches using only the basics: lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, a spinkle of seasoned salt and bread (no lunch meat).  It tasted so good.  Maybe we can all learn a thing or two from those dads, moms, grandmas, aunts and uncles who innately knew how to do more with less.

Comments