The Chancellor’s Flagship Forum launched its new website last week, the first stand alone website dedicated to a chancellor and his initiatives at the University.
As the new chancellor, Jeff Vitter said he began this program to meet with groups and individuals at the University and throughout the state of Mississippi in an open setting. The program began at the end of January as a 100-day initiative to inspire communication and conversation within the Ole Miss community. Vitter said he wants to get to know the UM community and learn about what makes our university excel, and how we can improve on that excellence.
The Columns Society, one of the groups with whom Vitter chose to meet, is a group of 12 men and 12 women who serve as the official hosts and hostesses for the University of Mississippi. Bess Nichols, junior journalism and political science major, was one of the students he met at that forum.
“The effort he is making to meet with different groups on campus and hear various points of view is really exciting to see, because the diversity of input is imperative to Chancellor Vitter understanding this community,” Nichols said.
By the end of this week, the Chancellor will have met with 87 groups, including student and alumni organizations.
Some topics discussed in these forums include opportunities offered to students like study abroad programs, highlighting areas in which the University is succeeding and measures the school should take in advancing the ideas of students, faculty and alumni.
“What makes Ole Miss a great university?” Vitter said. “What is distinctive about our University that should not change? How do we move from great to greater? All are questions that are important to ask and are critical to our university’s direction as we move forward.”
UM Communications designed and oversees the Flagship Forum website. The website includes an interactive introduction to Vitter and his wife, Sharon.
The site also features a “Chancellor’s Blog,” where Vitter shares his thoughts and ideas with students and alumni.
The website is a place where one can find important news, initiatives, information and events happening at the University. Vitter described the new website as a “virtual Starbucks” in which the community can gather and discuss opportunities and challenges happening at Ole Miss.
“Perhaps most importantly, the website is a way for me to connect and stay in touch with our faculty, staff, students and alumni during the remaining days of the forum,” Vitter said. “It’s a virtual gathering place where I hope members of the Ole Miss family will share their ideas about our institution.”
– Tousley Leake
