Did you ever wonder what President Thomas Haas enjoys for breakfast? He likes pancakes, but his favorite breakfast meal is apple pie and coffee.

Did you know Haas is growing a mustache for “Movember,” the men’s health movement that happens each November? Aren’t you curious what style of ‘stache?

The Grand Valley State University community had the chance to ask Haas these questions and more during the virtual office hours he holds to increase communication among those involved at GVSU.

He began hosting his virtual office hours in 2007, and on Thursday he once again sat down to sift through questions from members of the Laker community.

“President Haas believes the virtual office hours provide the best way to reach the most people on campus,” said Mary Eilleen Lyon, associate vice president of News and Information Services.

During the hours, Haas surrounds himself with members of the university to provide support and expertise while constructing the best possible answers to the variety of questions asked.

“President Haas answers most questions and weighs in on every question, but he welcomes input from others in the room who may be more involved in the day-to-day details of a certain subject matter,” Lyon said. “The participants can fluctuate, depending on schedules, but there are usually some vice presidents, the president of Student Senate and representatives from areas like the provost’s office.”

While some participants asked about the president’s personal side, such as his all time favorite song, “Stairway to Heaven” by Led Zeppelin, others questioned the university’s future plans and role in higher education.

***

GVSU: Grand Valley has grown significantly in the last four years since I came here in 2010. There are more learning environments, a huge influx in students and more areas of academic studies, as well. Where would you like to see Grand Valley 10 years from now given the current growth of our institution?

Haas: If we look forward to Grand Valley in 2025, I see the university responding to the needs of the students that attend at that time with academic programs and co-curricular activities that will enable them to be successful in the workforce and in graduate school. For example, we are investing in a new laboratory science building in Allendale that will provide students the undergraduate programming to go into health professions. We have invested in a state of the art library and new business college building that will also provide students the chance to find greater opportunities. We will stay the course in providing an affordable and accessible education.

GVSU: As each freshman class expands every entry year, does GVSU plan to build more dorms?

Haas: We are managing our growth and I do not see the need for more residence halls.

GVSU: Given the consistent growth of our school year after year, is the long-term plan for GVSU to keep growing to become as large as possible, or to eventually cap it off to preserve one of our top selling points of being a relatively mid-sized university?

Haas: We expect Grand Valley’s enrollment to remain stable in the range of 24,000 to 25,000 students for the foreseeable future.

GVSU: GVSU’s 2013 freshman class reached a peak number this year, and though GVSU’s enrollment has grown recently, it has done so at a slower rate than years prior. With declining revenue from state allocations, major construction projects and property purchases, is GVSU concerned with attracting more students and future funding?

Haas: Excellent question. That’s why the board of trustees agreed with my proposal that changes in enrollment not be greater than 1 percent in either direction in any one year. This provides the stability we need to ensure that students receive the service they expect and to manage the university’s budgets.

GVSU: I am currently working on a LIB100 Project and our purpose is to come up with a solution to retain young talent in Grand Rapids. What do you think Grand Valley is lacking in order to retain our college graduates after college?

Haas: This is a great question. I am on the board of a group called Talent 2025. The membership includes business and higher education leaders exploring strategies to recruit and retain talent in West Michigan. Specifically Grand Valley is very intentional in our internship and other programs to keep talent here, and we have been successful.

GVSU: What’s your prediction for the Battle of the Valleys competition this year against SVSU?

Haas: With the creation of the Laker Traditions Team, the Student Senate is confident that we will raise more money for this charity competition than we have ever done before. Promoting SPORTS, Students Providing Opportunities and Recreation Through Sports is a non-profit founded by Grand Valley students. Just imagine, a dollar per student will give us $25,000 to support this worthy cause. Let’s all get behind this effort. www.gvsu.edu/battleofthevalleys.

To view the entire log of Haas’ virtual office hours, visit www.gvsu.edu/virtualofficehours and login with GVSU information.