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v 4 ffc • vi Ki vii w. First copy free Volume 55 lssue I-I Gauthier retires from UWG after 14 years UWG Press Release William N. Gauthier, vice president for business and finance, has announced his retirement from the University of West Georgia, effective March 1, 2007. In his 14th year of leadership at UWG, Gauthier oversees the university's sll2 million budget and also manages 222 employees in accounting services, budget services, student financial services, auxiliary services, auditing, public safety, business information systems, facilities and grounds and human resources. Dr. Thomas J. Hynes, UWG acting president, said, “The business and financial aspects of the university are fundamentally better than they have ever been as a result of Bill Gauthier’s leadership. While we congratulate him on his retirement, we will miss him and his leadership.” Hynes pointed out several illustrations of Gauthier’s ability to transform the campus in a wide variety of areas: State champions! 3hb j I■. m i JRjki ■"•■9 E&s '- ; .'W Ift K ■ r ■ - _, '* •*•** ~ Contributed Photo The University Suties flag football team won the flag football state championship over the weekend. The team played a four-game tournament at Georgia Southern, winning all four games. The final score in the fourth game was 26 to 0, beating North Georgia Technical College. The team is planning to travel in January to the national championship, which will be In Dallas, Tx., and Is looking for donations and sponsors. "Ike Student Voice at the l hiversity of West (ieorj>ia since 1954" the near elimination of financial audit findings (two over the past 14 years); the establishment of a risk management system and an office of environmental health and safety to emphasize prevention of risks to students, faculty and staff; and the oversight of two facility master planning efforts that provide the framework for thoughtful campus physical growth. Looking back over the years since his arrival in 1993, Gauthier is most proud of the initiatives that have positively impacted UWG students. “We have new and improved residence halls, an efficient transportation system, and the Higher One financial distribution system all created to benefit our students,” he noted. Gauthier also relocated several of the services frequently utilized by students, such as financial aid and the EXCEL Center, so they would be clustered together for convenience to students. “We have more gathering areas for students now that the campus is deorX % more pedestrian friendly. Since the closing of Back Campus Drive, it is a much safer environment,” he said. The master planning process also resulted in six major capital projects during Gauthier’s tenure. The Technology enhanced Learning Center, the Campus Center, two residential complexes, the Education Annex and Adamson Hall are now part of the inventory of 86 major structures on campus. Gauthier is quick to point out that the accomplishments of the division of Business and Finance are the result of shared leadership by good people. “I have a great staff who know their jobs,” he stated. “I have been successful because of the people who run each department.” Mike Renfrow, assistant vice president for campus planning and development, greatly appreciated Gauthier’s willingness to try new and exciting ideas to improve business practices. “Bill has www.thewestgeorgian.com '** -- : -4 j Photo courtesy Office of Communications and Marketing William Gauthier, vice president of business and finance, is retiring from his position in March 2007. had a profound impact on the allocation of resources for the betterment of the university,” Renfrow said. “He has been a Elections provide chance to retain political history By Tim Sowers Staff Writer tsowersl@my.westga.edu The elections on November 7 signaled a change in the American political climate. The voters last Tuesday gave the Democrats the majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate. What does this mean for the country? Many things, for starters the President will have to work with congress to get his agenda passed more than he has for the past four years. Congress will also likely use their investigatory powers to look into events leading up the Iraq war and the President’s wire tapping program. This could prove controversial because the findings could give rise to calls for impeachment. Another issue that Democrats are likely to push is an increase of the minimum wage. An increase to the minimum Wednesday, \ member 15, 2006 continuous advocate for students, both through his position as vice president and as an instructor in the classroom.” wage failed to pass this past year because it was tied to a reduction in the estate tax. Many Democrats are talking about increasing or restoring college tuition assistance. Some Democrats are calling for the United States to begin withdrawing from Iraq. Senator Levin (D --MI), the expected chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has called for the withdrawal to begin within four to six months. President Bush has stated that he wishes to keep American forces in Iraq until Iraqis are able to provide for their own security. Democrats have also expressed interest in implementing the September 11 Commission’s recommendations in regards to security changes. The new congress has also said it will look into rolling back tax breaks for oil companies. This will likely be done as part of an effort to foster the development of domestic energy sources. Several departments underGauthier’sleadership have brought See RETIRES page 3 A Democratic congress will not change the issues on Americans minds. What will change is the solutions attempted for the problems. History is everywhere on campus, one only needs to know where to look. Georgia’s Political Heritage Program is an attempt to preserve the legacy of Georgia’s major politicians. The program was started in 1985 by Dr. Mel Steely and is a collection of interviews and political papers from Georgia politicians. The first interview was with Sen. Herman Talmadge who also served as Governor of Georgia. Every Georgia governor that has held office since World War II has been interviewed for the project, with the exception of M.E. Thompson and Marvin Griffin, who had already passed before the project was started. The interviews have been transcribed and are accessible online through See IUECTIMS, w i