President Bense's Official Communications
Archive of the newsletters and speeches from Dr. Bense during her tenure as president.
Presidential News - February 2014
BOG Metrics Impact UWF
The Florida Board of Governors has developed a performance based system that rates universities on 10 metrics, with a possible total of 50 points. As expected, the BOG made this proposal to the Florida Legislature and requested $50 million in new funds, but unexpectedly, they also proposed a $50 million match from the base budgets of the state universities. Also unexpectedly, they proposed there will be financial winners and losers. Only universities earning 26 points or higher will be eligible for new funds, if they are not in the bottom three in total score. Universities with fewer than 26 points stand to permanently suffer a 1% cut of their base budget in Fiscal Year 2014-2015 and 3% in 2015-2016.
Presidential News - December 2013
Fall 2013 Wrap-Up
The Fall semester is coming to a close. Our students are preparing for final exams and commencement is just around the corner. Together we made significant strides this semester toward realizing our Strategic Plan, Academic Master Plan, and Campus Master Plan. The Academic Reorganization process is just wrapping up with the final report now being transmitted to the Provost. Dr. Saunders is planning an early spring academic leadership retreat to review the recommendations and begin implementation. I am pleased by the campus engagement and dialogue around this important topic and I look forward to the reorganization.
Presidential News - October 2013
Fall 2013 Initiative Update
The Fall semester is in full swing at UWF. Our students are completing midterm exams and turning their attention to their team projects and research papers. It is a time of focus and concentration as we march toward the holidays and commencement. Last week was early warning and 95%percent of faculty participated to help us identify those students who need a little extra encouragement and assistance to be successful. I appreciate everyone’s attention on these important retention efforts.
Presidential News - September 2013
Launching Fall 2013
Welcome to Fall 2013. This is my favorite time of year as we welcome new and returning students, faculty, and staff to campus. The vibrancy is unlike any other time of year. We opened the academic year at Fall Convocation with over 1,200 in attendance, the largest crowd in history. It was a special celebration of our university and academic values; and I was especially pleased that the SGA presented me with the UWF’s Honor Code signed by hundreds of our incoming Freshman.
Presidential News - April 2013
Legislative News
The Florida Legislature is at the half way point of its 60 day session and the news for UWF is positive. Late last week both the House and Senate released their first draft budgets. It is evident from their proposals that they understand the value of higher education to the State of Florida.
Presidential News - December 2012
Celebrating Our Graduates
The Fall 2012 semester is coming to a close. I personally want to thank our dedicated faculty and staff for all of your hard work and contributions this semester. Together we’ve accomplished much.
Presidential News - November 2012
UWF Launches Program Prioritization
UWF is launching program prioritization. As you may know Dr. Robert Dickeson, a higher education consultant, president emeritus of the University of Northern Colorado, and former senior vice president of Lumina Foundation for Education, visited campus October 8-9 to help us get started. Bob's book, Prioritizing Academic Programs and Services, has served as a guiding tool for many institutions that are working through this important process. This approach includes seven phases of prioritization which I believe will be an excellent road map for UWF as we move toward implementation of Academic Visioning and the new Strategic Plan. Further, Dr. Dickeson is a leading national expert and will help us through our prioritization.
Presidential News - September 2012
Welcome to Fall 2012
Welcome to Fall 2012. This is an exciting time to be a part of the University of West Florida. Our phenomenal enrollment growth continues, with more than 12,823students registered for the first day of class this semester, a 6.6 percent increase over last Fall’s record enrollment.
Speeches- State of the University Address Fall 2015
- State of the University Address Fall 2014
- Presidential Town Hall Meeting Spring 2014
- State of the University Address Fall 2013
- Budget Town Hall Meeting Spring 2013
- State of the University Address Fall 2012
- Budget Town Hall Meeting Spring 2012
- State of the University Address Fall 2011
- Budget Town Hall Meeting Spring 2011
- State of the University Address Fall 2010
- Presidential Town Hall Meeting Spring 2010
- State of the University Address Fall 2009
- Budget Town Hall Meeting Spring 2009
- Presidential Message to UWF Fall 2008
