Enrollment boost is Staben's top issue

COEUR d'ALENE - The University of Idaho's new president is already working on what he says is a top priority for his administration: boosting student enrollment.

President Chuck Staben, with just 10 days on the job, was in Coeur d'Alene this week to attend Meet the Vandals, a student recruiting event held Monday evening at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.

"I think that what we have to do is get prospective students to recognize the quality and value of the programs we have to offer," Staben said Tuesday to The Press editorial board.

Staben has already endeared himself to students currently enrolled in classes on the university's Moscow campus. Back in November, during his first visit to the school after being named the university's next president, Staben issued a challenge. He offered free lunch to any student who can beat him in a friendly game of racquetball.

Staben has already received one challenge since he arrived on campus earlier this month. It won't be easy for that student to earn the free meal. In November, Staben told The Argonaut, the university's student newspaper, that he has issued the same challenge to students elsewhere.

"I'm undefeated at the University of South Dakota, and I believe I'll retire that way," Staben told The Argonaut.

Staben served for five years in South Dakota as provost and vice president for academic affairs.

He said he is aware of the education challenges Idaho faces, including the low completion rate for students who enter the state's colleges and universities.

The University of Idaho's role in raising the state's education benchmarks is tied to its College of Education, he said.

"We're a key player in providing educators," Staben said.

Staben was selected in November by the Idaho State Board of Education to replace Duane Nellis. Nellis left the University of Idaho last summer to accept a position at Texas Tech University. Don Burnett served as interim president of the University of Idaho until March 1.

Prior to his stint in S.D., Staben was at the University of Kentucky for 19 years, where he served in various positions.

Staben earned his doctorate in biochemistry at the University of California, Berkeley and his undergraduate in biochemistry at the University of Illinois, Champaign. He conducted postdoctoral training at Stanford University in the biology department and at Chiron Research Laboratories in Emeryville, Calif. with the virology department.