Bismarck is first stop for administrator and deans bus tour A meeting with the governor's staff Monday, Oct. 9, to talk about issues related to higher education was on the agenda when Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Greg Weisenstein led a busload of UND deans, the University’s top communications officer, and other senior administrators and support staff on a three-day meet-and-greet tour across North Dakota Oct. 9-11. Weisenstein said the group planned to first stop at the Heritage Center and host a luncheon with local alumni, legislators, mayors, alumni, members of the Chamber of Commerce, local media representatives, the president of United Tribes Technical College, area public school officials, county officials, North Dakota University System Chancellor Eddie Dunn and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Michel Hillman, representatives of Bismarck State College and the North Dakota Humanities Council, and more. In the evening the UND group planned to head to Hazen for a dinner with civic leaders, local legislators, alumni, and school, hospital and energy representatives to explore ways in which UND can be of more assistance to the community in general and to specific segments within the community. Other tour stops include breakfast at Dickinson State University, lunch in Watford City and an ice cream social at Williston State University. The group also is set for a town hall meeting Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. at the Airport International Inn in Williston and meetings and a luncheon Wednesday, Oct. 11, with Fort Berthold Community College administrators, faculty, and students. Minot is the final tour stop, where the UND deans will meet at 3 p.m. for a “coffee with the deans” at Minot State University’s Student Union. Weisenstein will host a dinner with alumni and community leaders at Minot’s Grand International Hotel at 5 p.m. Weisenstein said such tours -- modeled after the UND president’s annual New Faculty and Administrators Bus Tour -- are essential to keep the state’s flagship university in close touch with the communities that support it. They also provide a vital opportunity for leaders and citizens alike to meet their higher education leaders. “The deans bus tour is a way for us to continue to connect with people throughout the state of North Dakota,” said Weisenstein, a strong advocate of “being there” as a management philosophy. “It enables us to get out in the communities where they live and have conversations about what their needs and concerns are.”