From the Chancellor

David Werner
Chancellor

Each fall brings renewed excitement as students return to campus for a new academic year. However, this fall semester is particularly exciting as we can see the many changes occurring on campus, and the promise those changes bring for the future. The new Engineering Building is ready for students, Birger Hall is nearing completion, and work is well underway for Bluff Hall, SIUE's third residence facility.

While new buildings are important, it's the programs and activities in the buildings that make SIUE an exciting place. We have a multitude of organizations, associations and clubs to broaden your university experience. The Student Fitness Center houses one of the finest and most extensive recreational programs of any Illinois university, and our intercollegiate athletics program offers the majority of its events free of charge to students.

Even though this range of activities exists, and even though we continue to explore more ways to make SIUE more meaningful inside and outside the classroom, we'd like to hear from you about the types of programs you'd like to see on campus. In your opinion, what would it take to create an even more cohesive community based not only on academic accomplishments, but also on pride in a vital campus lifestyle?

There are several forums and channels available at SIUE for you to express opinions, not the least of which is the Alestle, your student newspaper. Note the masthead stands for "Alton, East St. Louis, Edwardsville," representing a cohesiveness to the three educational centers that make up SIUE. The Alestle is an integral part of this university and it is one of the ways my staff and I can learn your thoughts and opinions.

As the fall semester begins, it's an exciting time to be at SIUE. I sincerely hope you share that excitement as I extend to you a warm welcome and best wishes for a successful 2000-01 academic year.