eet the new guy CAIHfRlNF MACDONAlD This July, VCU students and faculty will have a new university president: Central Michigan University President Michael Rao. Just two years older than VCU itself, Rao will take the helm with a variety of achievements under his belt. He was granted the Chief Executive Leadership Award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, District V in 2007. Academic Analytics and the State University of New York at Stony Brook ranked CMU as one of the top 20 most productive research universities in the nation among universities in its class during Rao's tenure. Ra o has also received praise for his efforts toward sustainabi lity, environmental responsibility and steps he took to o pen CMU's medical school. However, according to CMU journalism professor John K. Hartman, the medical school is an unneeded strain on an already limited budget. "It costs tens of millions of dollars to start a medical school, and the state of Michigan doesn't have that money," Hart man said. Altho ugh CMU's Web site states the increase in faculty positions reflects "the president's commitment to co ntinue building a core of talented teaching professors and researchers despite challenging budgets," Hartman said there have been more positions allocated to part-time and adjunct faculty mem bers. "An increasing number of classes are being taught by temporaries and part-timers," Hartman said. "Peop le pay the same amount to take a class taught by an experienced professor as (they) do for a class taught by a part-timer. That's not a sign of academic excellence." CM U's Web site states Rao helped raise academic performance at all levels at the university, thoug h Dennis Lennox, a CMU senior, says this is not a reality. "The sta ndards haven't (increased)," Lennox said. "Many of the more successful and presti gious academic departments on campus just don't have the funding and resources they need to compete." Rao's improvements upon study abroad programs have been notable, Hartman said. "There has been a big promotion to encourage students to study abroad," Hartman said. "It's something that I think he believes in, something he has encourages and it's definitely benefits to students." Hartman said Rao is a likeable person. "He's a good listener," Hartman said. "He's a very hard working individual and very ambi t ious."
Getting to know Rao Education: Bachelor's degree from the University of South Florida Ph.D from th e University of Florida Family: Monica Rao is the University Outreach Liaison at CMU. She is a professional wa tercolorist and graphic designer. Sons Miguel and Aiden are 9-years-old and 10 months o ld, respectively.
Information provided by wwwcmich.edu
Sara D'Eugenio photo
