Collegewide

A Message from the Dean

July 21, 2020

Welcome to the “non-normal.”

Our mission to educate the next generation of business leaders is best fulfilled when we can teach, work, meet and engage in a live, face-to-face environment. The importance of face-to-face business education is paramount and widely understood among preeminent business schools like the Florida State College of Business. In fact, the context, connection and collaboration created through face-to-face engagement is equal to, and often more important than, actual course content. 

However, we are living in a non-normal time. If the last six months have taught us anything, it’s that we must always be flexible, thoughtful, principled and laser-focused on our mission and goals, as well as on the importance of protecting and nurturing our College of Business family. We have been teaching and working remotely since mid-March and will continue to offer most of our courses remotely this fall. Many of our support services staff members will continue to work remotely, and most alumni and student engagement activities we be held virtually so we can all stay in touch. 

The pandemic has caused other changes as well. To help ensure the health and safety of our FSU family, work-related travel is restricted through fall. As a college that thrives on events and engagement, this creates a challenging situation. Another challenge is the ambiguity over the state’s budget situation. We were disappointed that Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed the legislature’s $20 million allocation for Legacy Hall. The decision is understandable given the situation, but does not take away from the merits of a new home for our college. We will continue to raise private funds and look forward to making our case again during next year’s legislative session. 

As you can see, nothing is normal about our current situation. 

Want to know what is normal? 

Our students continue to excel. And, despite the challenges, our spring and summer graduates are finding jobs. Our faculty continue their excellence in teaching despite being in a remote environment (we’re really good at it as some of our graduate degrees have been offered online for nearly two decades!) and they continue to produce research in a manner that pushes us forward on the path of preeminence. Our staff members have truly gone above and beyond in processing a record number of applications for our graduate programs, advising students, conducting virtual orientation programs, planning and executing remote alumni and student events, and continuing to raise private funds. 

In this non-normal time, it’s gratifying to know that our College of Business continues to pursue and achieve excellence across the board. From that perspective, we continue to operate normally. 

This time last year, I said that we had a lot to look forward to. That is still true. However, to continue our record of achievement, we need your continuing support, now more than ever. There is no better time to get involved with the College of Business. Here’s how you can help: 

All you need is a passion for Florida State and the College of Business! To get involved or learn more, feel free to contact me, mhartline@business.fsu.edu, or Chelsea Vaughn, our alumni engagement coordinator, at cvaughn@business.fsu.edu. 

In my congratulatory video to our summer graduating class, I offered these words: 

As you move forward, I hope you will remember all you have accomplished at Florida State and know you have the resolve to overcome any obstacle the future may hold. After all, you are a Seminole and we know a thing or two about being unconquered. 

May that unconquered spirit guide us and support us during these demanding times. 

Warmly, 

Michael D. Hartline, Dean

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