How many public colleges and universities are members of AASCU?* AASCU cites three qualities that are "common to virtually every member institution ... that define its work and characterize our common commitments: We are institutions of access and opportunity. We are student-centered institutions. We are “stewards of place.”          *answer:  430 (listed here)

What is the mission? AASCUBS affinity group aims to facilitate networking among AASCU business schools to advance the mission of AASCU. The mission of AASCU includes the realm of operations spanning student ‘access’ to student ‘success.’

Chair	Niranjan Pati Indiana University Kokomo npati@iuk.edu
Vice Chair	Dixie Mills Illinois State University, Normal
Director of Networking	Marcia Sakai University of Hawaii at Hilo
Director of Relationship Building	Jessica Bailey Winston-Salem State University
Director of Communication	Karen Dill Bowerman California State University, San Bernardino
Director of Knowledge Building	Keith Womer University of Missouri, St. Louis
Director of Program Enhancement and Value Creation	Allen Morton Western Connecticut State University
Director of Visibility	Mary Ellen Zuckerman State University of New York - Geneseo
Director at-Large	Scott Johnson Minnesota State University Mankato

This is the first newsletter of the new affinity group for deans of state colleges and universities announcing our first meeting!  Join us in Tampa at the International Conference and Annual Meeting on Sunday, April 22, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.  A dynamic agenda is planned.  Pre-registration is requested, available here.

Joining AASCUBS Provides Value

• Network and discuss issues that we have in common in both formal and informal settings
• Enjoy professional and personal support networks for member deans
• Attend informative programs at the Annual AACSB International Conference and at least one additional AACSB workshop or seminar every year
• Participate in the sharing of best practices and information exchange concerning program enhancement and resource development
• Receive periodic newsletter to which you may contribute
• Establish more effective channels of communication between AACSB International and academic and professional staff of AASCU/AACSB member institutions

How Do I Join AASCUBS? 

• Go to the website and register FREE.  (Next academic year, there may be a nominal meeting registration fees to cover expenses.)
• Individuals holding Dean or equivalent status at institutions that are concurrent members of the AASCU and AACSB International are automatically eligible for  membership in the AASCU affinity group.  AASCU member institutions are listed here.
• Individuals who previously held Dean or an equivalent position at AASCU/AACSB member school can be granted membership at the approval of the AASCU Chair.

How Do I Subscribe to AASCUBS Biz Beat?

• Register on the website for membership in AASCUBS as highlighted above.
• If there are any problems in receipt of the newsletter, contact Karen Bowerman

Karen Dill Bowerman, AASCUBS Director of Communication, Dean at Cal State San Bernardino

Welcome Letter from the AACSUBS Chair, Niranjan Pati

It is my pleasure to inform you that the AACSB International has approved a new affinity group of the Business School Deans of AASCU (American Association of State College and Universities) institutions.  As AASCU institutions grant a majority of degrees and operate within the constraints of state resources, the affinity group intends to create a forum for addressing important challenges and opportunities facing our non-flagship state universities and colleges.  By networking and sharing our practices, we can get solutions to many of the problems that are common to most of us.

The affinity group is not limited only to the current deans at AASCU Business Schools but also to the deans that served on AASCU business schools in the past.  The group would like to tap into their experiences and wisdom.    Please forward this newsletter to the individuals that you feel can contribute to advancing the mission of the affinity group.

As you can see in the newsletter, we have an exciting group of Deans to serve you in different capacities.  In order to sense the direction to proceed, Keith Womer has already conducted a short survey of our leadership group and the results are to be presented at our first meeting.  However, don’t hesitate to offer your comments to Keith or any of our group members.

We will formally launch the affinity group at the International Conference and Annual Meeting in Tampa, April 22-24.  Please mark your calendar for 3:00-5:00 p.m., April 22.  If your schedule does not permit you to be there for the entire duration, we would appreciate your participation for a part of the session.

I take this opportunity to thank the Board of Directors of the AACSB International for allowing us to organize this affinity group.  Further, I appreciate the help rendered by Natalie Sears, Manager of AACSB’s Member Services for her help in coordinating our activities.

Cordially,

Niranjan Pati, AASCUBS Chair, and Dean at Indiana University Kokomo

On Relationship Building
from AASCUBS Director of Relationship Building

Can an individual go through life without seeking, building, and nurturing lasting relationships?  It is not likely.  Relationships are important to the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of humankind and, in fact, are crucial for happiness, success, and prosperity.  The average individual has a myriad of relationships—in the family, among friends, and at the workplace—probably too many to count.  Some of these relationships have, no doubt, developed through little or no conscious effort.  They are short-term, inconsequential, and exist only for the sake of expediency.  But other relationships are rich, meaningful, long-lasting, and instrumental in shaping the course of an individual’s life.  It is these latter relationships that should be consciously savored and nurtured because they often define one’s foundations.

In a similar way, long-lasting and meaningful relationships are at the core of prosperous and successful state college or university business schools.  These relationships are likely varied in nature and duration, but they represent ties with a multitude of constituents who help define, shape, and sustain the school’s identity.  These include, but are not limited to, legislators, lobbyists, businesses (including their customers, employees, and shareholders), faculty, students, staff, parents, community leaders, private colleges and universities, non-profits, public school systems, and the adolescents they serve. 

One of the goals of this affinity group is to keep at the forefront the importance of building mutually supportively relationships between state college and university business schools and their constituents.  Another is to provide insight into how those relationships can be nurtured over time.  Fulfilling these goals will enable AASCUBS to assist its members in building the kinds of relationships they desire.

Jessica M. Bailey, AASCUBS Director of Relationship Building, and

Dean at Winston-Salem State University