I read with great interest the editorial in last week's edition of The Spectrum.  The editor's description of her experience and the experiences of other students with the enrollment and registration process this semester is disturbing.  Although I never expect that the most hectic time of year will be without glitches, I do expect that our students will receive from our staff the level of service that reflects our core values.   It is always disappointing to learn that we may have fallen short of our own high expectations and our commitment to excellence.  

Customer service is a high priority.  All of us are responsible for making Bowie State University a welcoming place for the students we serve.   This is the message I delivered to staff during training sessions we began two years ago and it is a message I try to reiterate often to faculty, deans and members of my cabinet.  Clearly, we have more work to do.  I believe, however, that our efforts are paying off.  Indeed, I have heard from many students, parents, and family members who have had pleasant and very satisfying experiences at Bowie State University.  My goal is for every encounter our students have with every member of our faculty and staff to be pleasant and satisfying.

To help us, there is something I would like for every student to do.  Try to take a broad view of your experience at Bowie State University.  The typical student has dozens of interactions with BSU employees and offices every week.  Don't forget the positive ones and dwell only on the negative ones.  The vast majority of our employees are dedicated professionals who take their work seriously and are doing their best to provide excellent service and I believe they are doing so.  Please focus on the positive while calling to our attention those areas where we need to improve.

The Spectrum is a wonderful vehicle for communicating information to students and for expressing ideas and concerns.  I look forward to working with our student leaders and others to explore in greater detail the concerns raised by the editor, and working with our staff to address these concerns promptly.  Our aim is to provide excellent service to all of our students all of the time!       

Mickey L. Burnim, Ph. D.

President