University Assembled brought together the Rowan community on Friday in Bunce Hall to discuss coming changes and initiatives. Rowan President Ali Houshmand presented the information to those in attendance.  

The event certainly provided tangible information that is necessary to maintain an informed campus body.

Houshmand spoke about the abundance of renovation projects underway, including the much anticipated athletic complex and joint venture with the Inspira Hospital facility. The athletic complex is said to be capable of accommodating a diverse range of sports offered by Rowan, such as soccer fields, baseball fields, track fields and more.

The event also revealed the university’s plan to focus on non-traditional learners, research and comprehensive campaigning for the current academic year.

The top priority of nontraditional learners and accommodating them was certainly evident. Partnership programs with Camden County College and Cumberland County College were emphasized during Houshmand’s presentation. Progressive initiatives like Rowan Global and the efficient use of the various branches of Rowan were detailed.

One point that was received well by the audience was the use of facilities at smaller Rowan sites. This included possibly using Camden or Cumberland County College buildings as a solution to the vastly growing student population on Rowan’s main campus.

Following the conclusion of the presentation, the floor was opened to anyone with questions. Some audience members pointed out information they felt was lacking from the presentation.

This included the exponentially growing size of the university and the subsequent effects that would have on the surrounding community. President Houshmand replied to this with a statistic that almost five million dollars of Rowan Bucks were spent in stores in the Glassboro community alone. His sentiment was one of empathy while also noting that such growth also elicits its own respective advantages and disadvantages.

The next question posed came from sophomore radio, television and film major Arielle Gedeon.

Gedeon asked what improvements and changes were coming to the College of Creative Arts, since Houshmand emphasized the renovation work being done all over campus to halls such as Wilson, Bunce, Bole, Oak, Laurel and Savitz.

As a tour guide at Rowan, Gedeon provided her perspective about renovations seen so far.

“We’ve only seen the two major buildings on campus, Rowan Hall and the Business Building,” Gedeon said.

Houshmand was also asked about the recent incident on campus involving student Altaif Hassan being pulled over and search for a gun by the Glassboro police.

“This is very disturbing,” Houshmand said. “It’s time to have a committee put together.”

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