Provost and President-designate Lou Anna Simon spoke to new faculty today about MSU's future role with academics, the university's international impact and major institutional issues.

Simon addressed about 100 incoming faculty at Kellogg Center as part of an orientation for new faculty.

"We need to take a look at our circumstances and build a university people will be proud of 10 to 20 years from now," Simon said, adding that funding cuts are a major problem at MSU and other universities. "Budget difficulties are everywhere, but we're going to take those circumstances and use them better than anyone else."

New professors also discussed money difficulties, new faculty member Gabor Francisics said. It's one issue that concerns him, he said.

"Recent budget cuts and what they will affect are some things we have been discussing," the new mathematics assistant professor said. "All kinds of solutions have been discussed, but we'll just have to see how it goes."

As university officials look toward celebrating MSU's sesquicentennial - the 150th anniversary of the university - Simon said she is excited to work with a faculty who have addressed societal issues by contributing their research and developing important technology.

"Being here for the sesquicentennial lets me have the privilege to try to tie the past, present and future of the university," Simon said during the orientation. "We need to work on creating something that is very special while being sure we meet the needs of society."

Simon also said faculty will play an important part in another major university issue - the search for MSU's new provost. In addition to creating a faculty committee to help search, Simon said a consultant will identify ideal candidates.

"We want to cast the net as broadly as possible and make sure the faculty has an opportunity to have much input," Simon said before the conference. "We need someone who is passionate about their work, who cares about the university and who can convey their enthusiasm for MSU."

Bob Banks, assistant provost and vice president of Academic Human Resources, said new faculty seemed very interested in the process of selecting a new provost.

"There has been some informal discussion about the issue," Banks said. "Faculty are concerned about their involvement in the governance of the university. (Discussion) has been muted because people are more focused on starting the school year."

Patrick McConeghy, acting dean of the College of Arts and Letters, said the provost search is a hot issue, but faculty are happy that Simon has made it clear their input will be essential in the search.

"She's very concerned about making sure the faculty are as engaged as possible in the search," he said. "She's aware of the values the faculty are looking for."

Jacyln Roeschke can be reached at roeschk1@msu.edu.