Building a better University, focusing on the arts and culture and diversifying the faculty, staff and students were all themes discussed Wednesday by Chancellor Michael Martin, faculty and staff.”The Academic, Cultural, and Social Environment of the University” was the topic of a forum that was sponsored by the Faculty Senate and held in Dodson Auditorium.The chancellor opened with a statement and then the floor was open for questions.”Excellence is not a destination, it’s a journey,” Martin said. He said the University is on its way to develop a culturally diverse community and is focusing on creative, innovative and entrepreneurial ways to seek money to meet goals.Kevin Cope, professor and Faculty Senate president,  asked about the physical and social isolation of the University and how to extend its cultural imprint.Martin said one of the ways the University can “bleed into the large community and soften its hedges” is to reach out to the Old South Baton Rouge neighborhood.He suggested a job fair in the neighborhood and to do more activities with churches in that area.  He also said working with other universities in the area, such as Southern and Baton Rouge Community College, will broaden horizons.
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