By Eugene Vilensky
ACCESS holds lunch with provost
Amid controversy surrounding the possible dissolution of the Adult Commuter Center-Evening Student Services (ACCESS), acting provost Shirley C. Willihnganz joined students and ACCESS employees for lunch on Wednesday, December 4.
Center director Barbara King and program assistant Donna Holmes invited Willihnganz for lunch, serving baked potatoes with cake and coffee for dessert. A flyer on the ACCESS door invited students to join the provost for lunch to make sure their concerns for the center are heard.
Holmes said she was pleased with SGA’s decision to perform a formal study of the impact of the ACCESS center. “I think, for once, the facts came out,” said Holmes of the Senate meeting. “Things weren’t rushed, and I think the senators were aware… there were minds opened last night.”
King was also satisfied with the decision. “I think it was very positive. Finally, we’re ready to sit down and talk to the people at the ACCESS center about what we do, what our mission is.”
Willihnganz circulated among students present, hearing their questions and concerns. “I think taking some time to think about decisions before making them is the way to go,” said Willihnganz about SGA’s decision.
“Don’t close ACCESS,” said freshman psychology major Alex Sage. “It’s my home away from home.”
Willihnganz became acting provost on June 16, following John Shumaker’s departure as president and former provost Carol Garrison’s appointment to acting president. As acting provost and chief operating officer of the university, Willihnganz is responsible for overseeing the university’s deans and academic units.
Willihnganz has been with U of L since joining the Department of Communication in 1985. She served as associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 1996 to 1999, acting dean of the college in 1999-2000, and chair of the communication department in 2001-2002.
