Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost
September 7, 2007
Dear faculty, staff, and students,
First, let me once again welcome all of you to the University of Minnesota. The warmth and enthusiasm of our University community clearly was evident everywhere I walked this week, and it was wonderful to be able to greet so many of you personally. I hope that you took a moment to savor the energy of the first week of school, and to reflect on the privilege we share as members of this outstanding academic community, as well as our mutual obligation to educate and to learn.
Since my last academic update in April of this year, you will notice three major changes in our communications. First, the very abundant and newsworthy academic awards will be showcased in an awards email, which will be sent at the end of each semester. Second, to set the stage for two-way communication — a key element identified by faculty focus groups in the University culture task force — I will be starting a blog. Finally, the Provost’s Academic Update will focus on substantive, academic news from around the campus with focused information about strategic positioning impacts.
Transforming the U:
Here are the three questions I am asked most often about the University and our strategic positioning process. I encourage you to submit your own Transforming the U question for us to answer in a future email.
How does strategic positioning affect the student experience and the value of a University of Minnesota degree?
Undergraduates will notice more freshman seminars and undergraduate research opportunities, better advising and technology, clear student learning and student development outcomes, the Baccalaureate Writing Initiative, and, beginning next fall, the transformation of the college-based honors programs into a campuswide program. Graduate students will benefit from improved academic support services, multi-year fellowship packages, professional development workshops, the new Office of Interdisciplinary Initiatives, and support for Ph.D. completion and reducing the time to degree. Stronger student recruitment, new scholarship funding, and bridge programs are improving the quality and rigor of each entering class. These all translate into enhanced prestige for a University of Minnesota diploma for the rest of each graduate’s life time.
How different is the University of Minnesota today compared to 10 years ago?
The University is significantly more exceptional in terms of students, faculty and staff, organization, and innovation--the four “pillars” identified in strategic positioning. The student body, both undergraduate and graduate, is more diverse, better prepared, and more likely to earn a degree on time. Academic programs and financial support are stronger. A greater percentage of undergraduates live on campus and are more involved in campus and civic life. The faculty and staff also are more diverse and strengthened particularly in the arts and humanities, biosciences, and interdisciplinary centers. Professional development programs have been expanded, and the recently unanimous adoption of the faculty-driven tenure code revisions are more rigorous and flexible. The University is an exceptional organization, and is making strides forward in resource management by building accountability into our compact process. As a result, we are improving our service to students, faculty, staff, and the state, and are enhancing our reputation among our peers. Exceptional innovations include three redesigned colleges, several interdisciplinary centers, strategic new degree programs, and a learning commons.
How does achieving “top 3” help the state of Minnesota?
The new century requires novel ideas created through discovery and innovation. At the same time, the University faces fierce competition, shifting patterns of enrollment, and dwindling state resources. Without transformative change and strong public support, the University will lose its competitive position, and so will the state. An outstanding university attracts outstanding students, faculty, and staff. Outstanding students, faculty, and staff enrich the state, drive the economy, and enhance the standard of living. Many graduates remain in Minnesota, and a significant number start businesses and other endeavors that build the state’s economy and reputation. Faculty and staff educate and prepare those students to become the leaders of tomorrow. Faculty and staff also compete nationally and internationally to bring hundreds of millions of dollars to the state to fund breakthrough research that translates into new start-up companies, enhanced products and services, and numerous high-tech and professional job opportunities. Clearly, recruiting and retaining the best and brightest students, faculty, and staff are critical to the health of our state.
Many of the Transforming the U initiatives indicated above are described in more detail; links provided on this site’s home page.
Academic News:
- Institute on the Environment: A major, international search for the permanent director of the institute is under way. Nominations are welcome, and applications should be received by mid-October 2007.
- Institute for the Advancement of Science and Engineering: I received the blueprint for this new, world-class interdisciplinary institute in June from the faculty-led Advisory Committee. A search for an interim director is in progress. Nominations are welcome, and applications will begin to be reviewed on September 11. I expect to appoint the interim director in early October 2007.
- Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education: After many years of service to the University, Professor Craig Swan will retire at the end of December. I have appointed a search committee to advise me in appointing his replacement. Nominations are welcome, and applications will begin to be reviewed on October 1, 2007. I anticipate announcing his successor in mid-November.
- CLA Dean: Dean Steven Rosenstone has been named vice president for scholarly and cultural affairs. With this new appointment, Dean Rosenstone will resign as dean of the College of Liberal Arts, effective September 10. With the help of an advisory committee, I have appointed Associate Dean Jim Parente as interim dean, beginning September 10. A national search for the new permanent dean will begin immediately.
I invite you to continue exploring this revised Web site, where you can learn more about the University of Minnesota and the Office of the Provost, as well as read my new blog in the coming weeks. This semester will be a time of great academic success and discovery, and I wish you the best.
Sincerely,
Tom Sullivan
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