Statement From Dr. Wayne Watson, President, Chicago State University, Re: Sun-Times Mary Mitchell Column About Personnel Decisions

CHICAGO, April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicago State University faces enormous financial challenges that require leadership and tough decisions.  All personnel changes and work load reassignments were the result of a team effort and exhaustive process; input was provided by virtually every constituency on campus.

I have respect for the work of Haki Madhubuti and his contributions to the Gwendolyn Brooks Center on campus, among other achievements, but this isn't about him, or any individual on this campus.  It's about realigning the priorities and services of a vital institution with limited resources ... going back to the basics like spending more time in the classroom directly benefiting our students, which is the core mission of the University.

This is one of the hardest parts of the cultural shift that is needed at Chicago State, and we regret that it is disruptive to people who have dedicated their lives to students and to this University.  It is necessary, however, for us to move forward positively and provide continued academic excellence and social promise to our students and the community.  We are diligently building the right foundation that will support quality academic services to our students long into the future.

SOURCE Chicago State University