Let's work together (from Ruay-Shiung Chang)

[Ruay-Shiung Chang]

Dear Parents, Alumni, Colleagues, and Students:

 First of all, I would express my utmost deep and sincere apologies for the delay of dormitory constructions. The administrative team is one and inseparable. The delay is our unshirkable responsibility and we bear it together.

 Everything happens for a reason. This time the Almighty gives NDHU a test. It wants to see if we can unite and work together to pass through this situation. During the future two months, I beg all the colleges, departments, faculty, and colleagues to give special care and attention to our students. Although there may be some inconveniences in daily activities and between classes, we hope that this period will become a memorable and special occasion for students in their lives.

 To become a first-class university, besides the endeavor of the President and all academic and administrative units, all NDHUers highly motivated participation is not only necessary but essential. In the future, I hope that the decision making process can walk out of the administrative building. Delegating and empowering will be more routinely conducted. Also participatory administration will be promoted. Students self-governing and faculty self-administration are the goals. The administrative units will be mainly in the roles of services and assistances.

 On September 9, after the fact that the dormitories will not be able to be licensed to use is known, the staff in academic affairs, student affairs, and general affairs all went into an emergency. During the three-day mid-autumn festival holiday, they all worked to solve various problems in dormitories allocations, classes arrangements, shuttle bus scheduling, extra-curricular activities, student counseling, etc. I hereby express my deepest thanks and admirations to them.

 

Colleges and departments are the core units for teaching and research. We hope that they will have more budget and more autonomy in hiring decisions in the future. At the same time, we expect them to be more accountable and to show the university and the world a better teaching and research results. Besides, students are our treasures. Student affairs and counseling should also have a sufficient budget. No student should be left behind. Students should be taken care of more intensely and should have more chances in learning. This should be one of the main missions of NDHU.

 The administrative units are now very hard working in handling and arranging various things. We hope that this dark moment will be passed soon. Things already happened. It is also a test for our attitude in dealing with adversaries. Let us face them. Deal and analyze them with facts. Discover the feasibilities and the impossibilities. Then this setback will be a catalyst for our becoming stronger and yet humbler in the future. Let's work together to make it happen.

 Finally I would quote words by J.C. Penney, a successful businessman. He said, "I am grateful for all of my problems. After each one was overcome, I became stronger and more able to meet those that were still to come. I grew in all my difficulties."

 Sincerely,

Ruay-Shiung Chang

September 14, 2011