Hartford prepares for Meredith post

Many seniors mark graduation with tears and memories as they prepare for a future born from their experiences at the University. Vice President for Student Affairs Maureen Hartford is also preparing for her next adventure, taking with her memories and experience that will successfully help her as president of Meredith College.

Hartford has a career spanning two decades of work at universities and in student affairs. She said she has found her job at the University to be very rewarding.

"This is one of the most challenging jobs in student affairs and one of the most exciting and fulfilling," Hartford said.

Meredith, grounded in nearly 100 years of tradition, awaits its first female president. The all-female student body weighs in at about one-tenth of the University's population - about 3,000 students.

Since her appointment in March, Hartford has made several trips to Meredith's campus in Raleigh, N.C.

Last week Hartford went to Meredith for a 24 hour meeting with student leadership groups, department heads and gave a speech to a group of high-school juniors touring the campus.

Hartford described her experiences at Meredith as very supportive - like being "hugged into a family."

"For the women students there, they have looked forward to having a woman president," Hartford said, remembering day of the announcement where more than 500 members of the campus community welcomed Hartford with enthusiasm and a song.

"That wasn't even the inauguration, just the announcement," Hartford laughingly said.

The campuses are very different, Hartford said, noting Meredith has a strong tie to the Baptist religion with a chapel on campus and optional student services.

The financial budget and student body size are also considerably smaller, Hartford said. The smaller number of students will give her more opportunity to implement campuswide programs and get to know students individually, she said.

Here at the University, Hartford is attempting to wrap up large projects and get others to a point where she feels her goals have been accomplished.

Hartford said she doesn't want to leave too many projects with loose ends, but there are some she won't be around to see materialize.

"I wish I had been able to get use closer to getting some final decisions on the Hill Dining Hall," Hartford said.

Some of Hartford's biggest projects include the Student Code of Conduct Review, Binge Drinking Task Force and Center for Community Service and Learning projects.

Hartford said by the end of the semester she hopes to have specific changes to the Student Code of Conduct's language and structure proposed by the Michigan Student Assembly moving into final stages.

Also Hartford said she plans to reorganize the Office of Student Conflict Resolution.

Hartford said she would like to take community outreach programs, like those she helped to implement at the University, to Meredith.

"I really like what we've done with leadership and community service," Hartford said.

In terms of funding, Hartford said she would like to raise money for the Center for Community Services and Learning through fundraising efforts and private gifts.

One of Hartford's last duties at the University will be to prepare major budget proposals for the next academic year and submit them to the Provost's office in May.

A search committee to replace Hartford is expected to be formed next fall.

04-19-99