For his first day on the job, President Langell began by listening.
Monday, Oct. 1 marked the start of Dr. Langell’s tenure as NEOMED’s seventh president, and he got things rolling with the Listening Tour he had promised.
As he explained to the first group (staff members) at Watanakunakorn Auditorium and then to a second (faculty members) at Meshel Hall, he wants to understand the University and its people. So, he is inviting groups to bring their questions, thoughts, and concerns to him for informal discussions.
Campus concerns
On Monday, topics at the gathering for staff members ranged from paychecks and performance reviews to a desire for improvements to communications and information technology — along with more staff and training surrounding the latter.
Concerns about staffing deficits following the recent round of voluntary retirements were raised, as were topics related to student satisfaction. Employees also raised the need for more streamlined systems that would make it easier to coordinate various aspects of events or view all campus events on a single calendar.
Dr. Langell restated the comments (which were also being documented by the Office of the President for follow-up) confirming each concern. And while most of the topics will take time for Dr. Langell to research, it seemed that one request found the beginnings of a solution amazingly quickly.
After a suggestion that Dr. Langell consider installing an outdoor exercise track around the campus perimeter, a staff member from human resources raised her hand to say that wellness dollars could be directed toward the project.
Similar topics ― staffing, resources, communications and training ― were discussed during the gathering for faculty. As the engagement continued, Dr. Langell was invited by chairs to attend future department and faculty council meetings for further input from others.
More Listening Ahead
Additional Listening Tour events have been scheduled for the internal campus community, as well as another set of events for interested alumni and friends of the University.
Listening Tour dates for students, faculty and staff
NEOMED Staff
Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 9-10:30 a.m., NEW Center Ballroom
NEOMED Students
- Thursday, Oct. 3, from noon-1 p.m., Cook Alumni Hall (P1 and P3)
- Wednesday, Oct. 16, from noon- m., Cook Alumni Hall (P2)
- Wednesday, Oct. 23, from noon-1 p.m., Grand Ballroom (M1, M2 and P3)
*P3s – You may attend either the Oct. 3 or the Oct. 23 session, whichever better accommodates your schedule. Please only attend one session.
Rootstown Faculty – College of Pharmacy
Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 2:30-4 p.m., Grand Ballroom
Rootstown Faculty – College of Medicine
Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 4:30-6 p.m., College of Medicine conference room
Listening Tour dates for alumni and friends of the University
Thursday, Oct. 17, from 6-8 p.m. at Gervasi Vinyard, 1700 55th St. NE, Canton, Ohio 44721
Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 6-8 p.m. at Cooper’s Hawk Winery, 4230 The Strand, Columbus, Ohio 43219
Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 6-8 p.m. at Greystone Hall, 103 S. High St., Akron, Ohio 44308
Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 6-8 p.m. at Cooper’s Hawk Winery, 27200 Harvard Rd., Orange Village, Ohio 44122 (limited to 50 guests)
Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 6-8 p.m. at NEOMED’s Watanakunakorn Auditorium, 4211 St. Rt. 44, Rootstown, Ohio 44272
Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 6-8 p.m. at The Lake Club, 1140 Paulin Rd., Youngstown, Ohio 44514
Saturday, Nov. 9, from 6-8 pm. at Mastro’s City Hall, 6991 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale, AZ 85251 (limited to 26 guests)
Note: There is still time for alumni and friends of the University to respond. Visit neomed.edu/events and select the event you’d like to attend.