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The end result could be the “quality (of degrees) may be compromised,” said Hamid Shirvani,
president of California State University, Stanislaus.
Charlie Nelms, chancellor of North Carolina Central University, commented, “The best way to grow
the enrollment is to retain the students.”
In response to a question from audience member William E. Kirwan, chancellor of the Maryland
University System, about the importance of the residential student experience, Nelms said, “It’s
absolutely essential.”
His school is now building another residence hall and is exploring public/private partnerships to
provide additional residential opportunities for students, Nelms pointed out.
Randy J. Dunn, president of Murray State University, noted his school requires every student to live
on campus for his or her first two years of matriculation, saying residence life is essential to a
successful transition into college.
Morales agreed that the more ties that bind a student to the institution, the better chance there is of
that student earning a degree. He said statistics indicate students who live and/or work on campus
graduate at a significantly higher rate than those who live and work away from the school.
SREB president Dave Spence said in his introductory remarks the organization had “pretty much
given up on coming back” to The Greenbrier for a meeting, but was lured by both the governor’s
invitation and an attractive rate package offered by the resort.
Asked after the Sunday session what was the deciding factor in bringing the SREB back to The
Greenbrier, Manchin said with a laugh, “Me being chairman.”
He elaborated, “I enjoy bringing everyone here to The Greenbrier. They get to see all the wonderful
things West Virginia has to offer.”
The governor said he plans to spend a lot of time at the White Sulphur Springs resort over the next
month, citing Friday’s gala marking the grand opening of the long-awaited Casino Club, as well as
the upcoming Greenbrier Classic PGA Tour event, which will begin July 26.
Based in Atlanta, the SREB was created in 1948 by southern governors and legislatures to help
leaders in education and government work cooperatively to advance education and improve the
social and economic life of the region. Member states are Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida,
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
The organization’s annual meeting continues today and concludes Tuesday.
— E-mail: talvey@register-herald.com
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