President Mark Huddleston talks with attendees at the recent open forum in the MUB.
UNH President Mark Huddleston and provost Nancy Targett hosted an open forum for the university community on November 2, with students, faculty and staff packing the MUB’s Granite State Room for the question-and-answer event.
Those in attendance inquired about issues including the potential for divestment from fossil fuels and renovations to the Paul Creative Arts Center (PCAC) as well as the decision to spend a portion of the funds left to the university by former librarian Robert Morin '63 on a video scoreboard for the new Wildcat Stadium.
On that topic, Huddleston said, “I view athletics as an integral part of what we do,” concluding that it was “athletics’ turn” for some revamping.
Huddleston also reassured community members that the installation of new elevators to make PCAC more accessible will begin shortly and that the university is “committed to fundraising” for further renovation of the building.
“There’s no question that we need some major renovations to happen over there,” Targett stated in agreement.
One student expressed concern about the recent suspension of a program that allows UNH counselors to write recommendations for students interested in undergoing hormone replacement therapy. Senior vice provost Ted Kirkpatrick said the university is “reexamining the procedures and policies to make sure we’re doing what’s best for the students.” The plan is to reestablish the program in the future.
Huddleston concluded the forum on a positive note, citing UNH’s unusually high student retention rate, which is 80 percent; the national average is only 42 percent.
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Written By:
Cierra Dubinsky '17 | Communications and Public Affairs | cmy945@wildcats.unh.edu
