September 24, 2013: Congratulations and Thank You

Dear Colleagues,

I write to share with you some good news, news we also announced to the Board of Regents at their September 13 meeting. The University of Minnesota has been chosen as one of two finalists for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities' first-ever "Most Visible Progress National Degree Completion Trailblazer Award." The APLU designed this award to recognize universities that are, through conscientious attention and concerted educational efforts, successfully retaining and graduating students. APLU wants to promote the efforts of these schools as models for other institutions to follow.

While we have been touting the dramatic increase in our graduation and retention rates, the APLU recognition adds external validation for our efforts. This turnaround required a long-term and multi-faceted commitment across the entire institution, and I want to extend my sincerest congratulations and thanks to the thousands of faculty and staff who work so hard to ensure the success of our students.

In particular, I'd like to note the excellent work of the collegiate leadership, faculty and academic advising staff, and our student services across the University. I also want to acknowledge the leadership and vision shown by current and former Vice Provosts Bob McMaster, Craig Swan, and Jerry Rinehart, as well as the work of their teams.

I would also like to share the video (no longer available) that we were asked to produce for the November APLU award ceremony in Washington, D.C. The featured students make plain the important difference you make to our students' lives. The words of these students should inspire us to continue our efforts to support student retention and timely degree completion.

This award serves as proof that a university as large and decentralized as ours can work together to implement dramatic changes and to solve problems. I have every confidence that we can accomplish a great deal more, and I look forward to working with you to achieve our many goals.

For example, this fall we are working together to improve our University in a number of areas, including:

  • Special Committee on Graduate Education 
    Will Durfee, chair of the FCC, and I have asked Professor Scott M. Lanyon, head of the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior in the College of Biological Sciences, to lead this jointly charged committee, which will look at issues in four areas: 1) graduate student financing; 2) the facilitation of the graduate student experience; 3) graduate program enrollment management; and 4) the visibility and quality of graduate education.
  • Exploration of CBS & CFANS realignment 
    I have appointed a task force that will examine the potential for a new college. The task force—co-chaired by Gary Muehlbauer, Distinguished McKnight Professor and head of plant biology, and Michael Sadowsky, professor of soil, water, and climate and director of the Bio Technology Institute—will consult widely, with all stakeholders.
  • Strategic Planning 
    Last Friday, President Kaler announced the members of the Strategic Planning Workgroup that I am chairing. As this work progresses, details will be communicated and posted online at strategic-planning.umn.edu.

On these and other issues, I welcome your thoughts and concerns. Please feel free to email me at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Karen Hanson,
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Email sent September 24, 2013 to all Twin Cities faculty and staff.