Academic Plan
Report to the College Senate from the Academic Plan Committee
12-12-03
The Academic Plan Committee has considered, with due deliberation, the proposed Academic Plan that has been prepared and presented by the administration. The committee has consulted with the provost, the faculty deans, and the associate vice president for undergraduate education, and has solicited subsequent responses from department chairs and program directors. After extended discussion about the proposed plan, we submitted a report to the Senate for its November 14 meeting. After considering our report, the provost responded to our questions and met with the committee on December 2.
The committee has agreed that the development of such an Academic Plan is, indeed, an appropriate and beneficial planning vehicle, particularly in a lean fiscal climate. The report addresses the need for forward thinking, albeit with lofty goals, and conservation of resources.
The concept of reorganization is not, however, to be taken lightly. Most committee members have voiced concerns about various parts of the plan, as proposed. The committee believes profoundly that any changes proposed must be studied and assessed before any reorganization can occur. If changes are made without assessment of current practices and appropriate consultation, they will not be welcomed, understood, or supported by this committee.
The committee has suggested the following changes to the plan, which are being presented in the following document. There is great concern that the changes as originally proposed would be done without appropriate consultation, and the committee has tried to include safeguards for the involved departments and programs.
After much deliberation, the Academic Plan Committee puts forward the following motion: That the College Senate accept the committee's report and the following committee revision of the draft of the Academic Plan submitted by the provost.
