Last Friday, Interim-Chancellor Keith Motley delivered his state of the University address in the Campus Center ballroom. With emphasis placed on UMass Boston becoming a first-choice university, he proceeded to outline his vision for the university’s future.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Motley expressed his thankfulness in being entrusted with steering the University as its interim-chancellor.

“It’s energizing as we gather as a community, I feel so good about the opportunity that you have trusted me with, and that is to go out and lead during this period, at this time, at this university.”

Motley expressed that his goals for the university will build gradually off a series of small accomplishments.

He continued that communication is a very powerful tool and is essential to the growth of the university’s community.

“Part of what today is about is to make sure that I’m constantly communicating with you, where we are as a university and where we plan to go.”

The interim chancellor spoke about the many events that have taken place on campus as of late, such as a speech delivered by Senator Edward Kennedy and the Chill Out event put together by the office of student affairs.

Motley cited these and other activities on the harbor campus as the further beginnings of establishing and uncovering a tradition of excellence at UMass Boston.

In his vision to create UMass as a first-choice institution, Dr. Motley outlined the future of academia. He explained that his hope for the university’s academic front is a model in which top-notch teaching and scholarship are not mutually exclusive, but rather complimentary.

“We want to be known locally, nationally, and internationally as a university of superb teaching and exemplarily research and scholarship,” he said.

Motley cited the work of the Mauricio Gaston Institute, partnerships with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and the university’s continued commitment to urban-centered research, among other things as furthering this ideal.

“We are increasingly becoming known for our research,” he said.

Also on Chancellor Motley’s agenda was UMB’s infrastructure. The deterioration of the upper and lower level “mega-structure” of the university’s foundation, as a result of poor design and deferred maintenance, has become a hot topic since engineering consultant assessments last semester gave the structure, if not attended to, a shelf-life of 10 years before the majority of buildings on campus would have to be demolished.

“In order for us to become a first choice institution, the physical infrastructure at UMass Boston has to be fixed,” said Motley.

“There’s no sufficient space for students to create a college life in, there’s not enough space for faculty and staff to do their jobs in, and there’s a great weakness in the foundation that needs immediate address,” he continued.

Motley called these issues his “top priorities,” and he committed himself to addressing these problems as chancellor for the interim period, however, noted that these issues are without short-term remedy.

The chancellor continued that the Division of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) is preparing a scope of work for the plaza upper and lower levels. According to Motley, DCAM is further constructing a master plan that will take into account the needs of the university community in the continued reworking of the campus infrastructure.

Motley also announced that a number of projects are already underway and forthcoming this spring. Repair of the showers in the Clark Athletic Center, the exterior stairs of the McCormack Building, and the harbor walkway are among the items on the chancellor’s agenda.

He further cited the future additions of whirlpool baths in the Beacon locker rooms, the Jazzman’s cyber café in the Healey library, and electricity precautions to curtail the burnouts that have disrupted university business.

Dr. Motley also noted the importance of retrofit on campus, reallocating the space that has been vacated by the addition of the campus center. He continued that these moves would begin to take place during the next few months with input from the university community.

The Chancellor continued that “the ethic of care,” which he defined as respect for the well-being of others, diversity, inclusiveness, and civility, plays a role in the university’s goal of becoming a top choice university.

Motley cites the university’s outreach programs connected to the larger community, such as partnerships with Dorchester High, the Athletics Department’s acknowledgements for community service, and the Urban Mission Coordinating Committee’s upcoming community branch of the Community Outreach and Resource Center as examples of that ethic.

Motley further announced a new grant program sponsored by the Urban Mission Coordinating Committee and funded by the Chancellor’s office that will support projects that focus on pure and applied research to further the university’s urban mission.

Chancellor Motley called upon the university for its support during April’s ten-year accreditation NEASC evaluation process.

“You should see what I see when I walk into rooms now in this city with other presidents and chancellors who realize that this institution understands where it fits in. They understand that we are positioned to be the greatest public urban university not just in this city, but in the country,” said Motley.

Dr. Motley closed his address praising the efforts of the student senate for advocating against the student fee hikes, which will affect low-income students, and expressing his excitement for the university’s annual April 20 gala, and the move of the June 3 commencement back to the UMB campus.

“We have a lot to be proud of. We have a lot to celebrate, building one community, building a tradition of excellence, building a first choice institution,” said Motley.

He continued, “This means building on our strengths, our urban mission, our shared virtues, our shared values, our commitment to collaboration. Thank you for being on board with that, thank you for building with me.”

The Chancellor’s remarks were followed by an ice cream social and a raffle for Red Sox tickets.