As I script these brief comments, the sun is shining, the students are settled before their laptops like so many crocuses on a fresh lawn, and clusters of daffodils remind us that, yes, spring does come to the great plains! Some updates for you:

TUITION REMISSION POLICY

As many of you know, in November I asked the University Benefits Committee to review certain elements of the University’s Tuition Remission program. I made that request because of the significant increase in utilization of remission (near $6 million per fiscal year) combined with projected increases in our enrollment, presented an increasingly challenging financial situation. It was judged that continued significant increases in utilization of the remission benefit would be financially unsustainable. The Benefits Committee sent its recommendations to me in late January 2004. Those recommendations are presently under review.

However, it is important to report to the University community that while there will be some adjustments in the Tuition Remission Policy for future faculty and staff, those changes will not affect anyone hired before late summer 2004. That is to say, for all current employees the present Tuition Remission Policy will remain as outlined in the University’s benefits package. A revised Remission Policy will be shared with you in late spring. (You can now take a deep breath and move on!)

WOMEN'S BLUEJAYS BASKETBALL TEAM

Congratulations to the Women’s Bluejays basketball team on their winning the Women’s National Invitational Tournament championship on March 30. This was the first post-season championship for any of our varsity teams. Playing to a historically large crowd, the team performed with great precision and determination. They appeared to be having fun in the process. The entire University community joins me in thanking these women for their dedication, determination and loyalty on behalf of Creighton University. "When they honor you, they honor us!" Thanks!!

ADMISSIONS

On the admissions front, all is well. Deposits have continued to gain ground. As of March 31 our undergraduate deposits were 34% ahead of last year or 134 more deposited students. We anticipate closing the class on May 3rd. We project a first year class of 950 students. Enrollment for all other programs, including Law and Health Sciences, are running on or above the targeted number.

CONSTRUCTION

• The student town homes (Burt at 20th Street) are on schedule and on budget. We anticipate a May completion date. The students appear to be very excited and energized by the prospect of living in the town homes and choosing a new student neighborhood.
• The Rigge-Criss renovation and construction is progressing well. Rigge is near completion; the Criss building is experiencing a slower construction schedule, but the project should be finished in late summer 2004.
• The soccer field and stadium project is moving well; sharply rising steel and concrete costs forced our hand in mid-February, as we "locked in" our steel inventory. We are committed to continuing with the construction of the stadium, canopied seating, and press box, which are planned for completion in fall 2004.
• Also as noted earlier, the California Street Mall, from the St. John’s fountain west to Kiewit Hall, will be completely ripped up and reset with a distinctively new "pedestrian friendly" feel to it. Construction is scheduled to begin for the Monday after graduation.

GRADUATION

Finally, Graduation 2004 will find the University celebrating two distinct ceremonies - undergraduate, Law and Graduate School graduation is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on May 15th and the Creighton University Medical Center graduation is set for 2:00 p.m. that same day. At the morning ceremony the University will award honorary degrees to the Rev. Michael Morrison, S.J., Creighton’s 22nd President, and Mr. John Kenefick, long serving Chairman of the Board of Directors. Presidential Medallions will be presented to the Sisters of Notre Dame, on the occasion of their 150th anniversary, and to Creighton Preparatory High School, for its 125 years of educating the youth of Omaha.

EASTER BLESSINGS

I end wishing all of you and your families a most blessed Easter and Passover celebration. These great religious feast days remind us of our freedom and our redemption. These charted celebrations of our religious traditions allow us to reflect on how we are remade and reborn in the spirit of the exodus and the resurrection of Jesus. Celebrate it well!

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President