By Mallory Schlabach, Editor in Chief

Dr. Royce Money unveiled the latest version of the 21st Century Vision for the university at a Board of Trustees meeting Saturday morning.

Money, president of the university, said the trustees engaged in a “spirited discussion” about the future direction of the university.

He said the response was tremendous, and the board discussed what kind of facility, faculty and other types of support would be necessary to fulfill this vision.

As for the next step, Money said the senior administrative team on the board would come back in August with details of how to reach this vision.

“What we talked about today was a long-range plan,” Money said. “They will come back with the details on how to get the things done we’re talking about.”

He said certain aspects of the plan, such as the core curriculum changes, are already in the process of being implemented.

“The faculty is close to reaching a decision on the core curriculum,” he said. “And that truly is the faculty’s decision. When they announce changes, that is one piece of the vision that will fall into place.”

Money said this year the board is trying to wrap up the vision and unwrap another one with the 21st Century Vision.

The board also met for the first time in 15 years with a new chair. C.E. “Doc” Cornutt, CEO of Argent Properties in Dallas and a member of the board since 1988, was named chair in August. He replaced Don Crisp, former chair of the Board of Trustees.

Cornutt said his first priority as chair was to decide what the first priorities were of the university, and then to take them to the next level.

He said the board will work on creating new programs for the university and renewing the focus of what the university was founded on.

“We want to continue encouraging students to find leadership on campus,” he said. “We want them to succeed here, and then take their skills and leadership abilities and go beyond the boundaries of Abilene into the world.”