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Strategic Goal 1
Provide a challenging and supportive learning environment that
fosters achievement and intellectual interaction among undergraduates,
graduate students and faculty members and promotes excellence in
research, scholarship and artistic creativity.
A Center for Learning:
Promoting Academic Achievement and Research Excellence
Learning is what the
University is all about. Consistent and effective learning will take
place only in a nurturing environment. The University must take
those steps necessary to build a proper foundation for learning
so that teaching, research and service will flourish. Further, we
believe that the quality of life is enhanced by diversity and that
the whole community benefits from educational experiences which promote
understanding and appreciation of gender issues, diverse cultures
and ethnic heritages. In a multicultural society such as ours, a
lack of understanding results in stereotypes, misconceptions, prejudicial
attitudes and a general lack of knowledge about the realities and
significance of differences among people. Thus it is our intent
to offer a variety of programs that will provide our students with
the education they will need to function in our diverse society.
| Objective
1.1 Enhance undergraduate education and provide
a cohesive, supportive experience through development
of a Center for Undergraduate Education. [see
Appendix A: Center for Undergraduate Education
Concept ] |
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Action Item
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|
Prior. |
Action |
Funds |
| 1.1a |
Prepare a detailed plan for development of the
Center for Undergraduate Education. The Center
will include facilities to improve teaching and
advising through the Teaching Institute and
appropriate support services. It will also
include such services as: the Honors Program,
the Co-operative Education Program, permanent
recognition of significant undergraduate
achievement (Rhodes Scholars, University
Scholars, etc.), ongoing recognition of current
undergraduate achievements (academic honors,
outreach accomplishments, research and artistic
activities, etc.), space for informal
student-faculty meetings, and model classroom
space (including distance learning facilities),
which would be used for classes and as
demonstration and training facilities. Planning
for the center must be coordinated with
planning for the University Center (Action Item 3.4a).
|
1* |
I |
0 |
|
|
| Objective
1.2 Prepare students for participation in and adaptation to
a rapidly changing world.
|
| Action
Item |
|
Prior. |
Action |
Funds |
| 1.2a |
Establish an Office of Multicultural Affairs within
the senior management of the University. Responsibilities
include programmatic and financial oversight of cultural
centers and institutes, and integration of multicultural
social and learning experiences throughout the University
community. |
1*
|
I
|
$
|
| 1.2b |
Establish a faculty committee that reports to the
Provost and provides ongoing review of General Education
Requirements to ensure that core courses are responsive
to needs of students as they prepare for a rapidly
changing global society. Review should include issues
such as multiculturalism and technological change. |
1
|
I
|
0
|
| 1.2c |
Enhance contacts with the global intellectual community
through guest speakers, faculty exchanges, faculty
sabbaticals and student leaves to participate in study
and research. |
1
|
I
|
$
|
| 1.2d |
Provide incentives to include multicultural and global perspectives
in all course offerings. Provide opportunities for faculty to develop
appropriate curricula (faculty exchange, inviting experts in various
subject areas, etc.) |
1
|
I
|
$
|
|
|
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Objective
1.3 Emphasize an academic experience in which students develop
a method of thinking that allows them to adapt readily to a
rapidly changing environment.
|
| Action
Item |
|
Prior. |
Action |
Funds |
| 1.3a |
Incorporate research into the entire academic experience,
including providing research opportunities to all undergraduate
students. |
1*
|
I
|
$
|
| 1.3b |
Ensure that the merit, promotion and tenure processes
recognize efforts to integrate research and outreach
with academic programs. |
1
|
I,E
|
0
|
| 1.3c |
Develop a pool of funds to match and supplement
faculty efforts to secure external funding for undergraduate
research experiences. |
1
|
I,E
|
$$
|
| 1.3d |
Provide additional graduate assistantships for
mentoring of undergraduate research projects. |
1
|
I,E
|
$
|
| 1.3e |
Develop research programs that incorporateregional
campuses (e.g., focus specific specialties at individual
sites, utilize technology to access resources such
as the library, provide temporary living facilities on campus for
project participation) |
1
|
I,E
|
$$
|
|
|
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Objective 1.4 Enhance the
quality of teaching.
|
| Action
Item |
|
Prior. |
Action |
Funds |
| 1.4a |
Emphasize quality of teaching as an important
consideration in the promotion, tenure, reappointment
and merit review processes. |
1*
|
I,E
|
0
|
| 1.4b |
Enhance opportunities for faculty training through
the Teaching Institute. |
1 |
I |
$ |
| |
|
Objective 1.5 Require that all teaching assistants
receive training before they teach a course or a significant segment
of a course.
|
| Action
Item |
|
Prior. |
Action |
Funds |
| 1.5a |
Provide suitable training through academic departments, schools
or the Teaching Institute for all teaching assistants.
Institute a procedure to certify that training has been completed. |
1* |
I |
$ |
| 1.5b |
Establish a comprehensive program to provide support
(other than teaching assistantships) for outstanding
international graduate students who need to develop
proficiency in English before they begin teaching. |
1 |
I,E |
$$ |
|
|
|
Objective 1.6 Encourage outreach activities that
enhance University goals of education and service.
|
| Action
Item |
|
Prior. |
Action |
Funds |
| 1.6a |
Each school and college will identify outreach accomplishments,
resources and opportunities and will define goals,
appropriate to its mission, in consultation with the Provost. |
1* |
I |
0 |
| 1.6b |
Schools and colleges will work with the division
of Institutional Advancement to communicate activities
to the public. (Action Items 8.1a, 8.1b) |
1 |
I |
0 |
| 1.6c |
Provide the resources to allow each school and college
to fulfill the goals identified in 1.6a |
1 |
I |
$ |
|
|
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Objective 1.7 Identify and prioritize existing
and planned focal areas of research and other creative endeavors
to maximize effective use of scarce resources. Encourage participation
in the world marketplace of ideas.
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| Action
Item |
|
Prior. |
Action |
Funds |
| 1.7a |
Develop a plan that identifies areas
that require significant University support
and are of particular importance to the University's
future, and will establish priorities among them. This
will be reviewed by the External Advisory Board (Action Item 8.8a),
trustees and faculty actively pursuing research and other creative
endeavors to review and develop a long-range plan. |
1 |
I,E |
0 |
| 1.7b |
Identify those areas in which the Universityis,
or has the potential to become, nationally and internationally
renowned. |
1* |
I |
0 |
| 1.7c |
Each research area identified in 1.7b will develop
a long-range plan (strategic plan for new programs)
that outlines the required support for that research
program and the projected outcomes. |
1 |
I |
0 |
| 1.7d |
Within the budgeting process, develop a resource
allocation plan to provide consistent long-term financial
support for such areas as student research, fields
where external funding sources are very limited, equipment
needs, faculty exchange, travel, guest speakers, and research administration. |
1 |
I |
$ |
| 1.7e |
Develop incentives for faculty to conduct research
in areas that enhance University efforts to foster
diversity and a global perspective. Encourage international
research collaborations. |
1 |
I |
$ |
|
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Objective 1.8 Aggressively seek funding from
all available sources to transform the University Libraries into
an acknowledged leader in the provision of state-of-the-art support
for the University's research, teaching and service initiatives,
and in the contribution of valuable resources to the emerging
global information network.
|
| Action
Item |
|
Prior. |
Action |
Funds |
| 1.8a |
Support the Homer Babbidge Library's
role as the state's central resource
for information and intellectual interaction in Connecticut. |
1 |
I,E |
$$ |
| 1.8b |
Complete structural repairs of the Homer Babbidge
Library. |
1 |
I,E |
0 |
| 1.8c |
Staff and equip the University Library System
to adequately support its mission. |
1* |
I,E |
$$ |
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Objective 1.9 Enhance the research support environment
including support staff and services, facilities, computer systems,
equipment, and other infrastructure components.
|
| Action
Item |
|
Prior. |
Action |
Funds |
| 1.9a |
Facilitate campus interaction to
coordinate resource allocation and provide services
for research efforts outside of Storrs (e.g., Regional
Campuses, Health Center) allowing appropriate autonomy. |
1 |
I |
0 |
| 1.9b |
Develop organization for service delivery (e.g.,
photocopying, typing, guest speakers, publication,
advice on patenting, disclosure, etc.) that is cost-effective
and customer-oriented, providing support for faculty
and students conducting research. |
1 |
I |
$ |
| 1.9c |
Develop, support and upgrade centralized facilities
to provide needed resources such as the library, computer
center, computer networks, Bishop Center, video conference
facilities, and Technology Park. (Action
Items 1.8a, 1.8b, 1.8c,
3.6a, 3.6c) |
1* |
I,E |
$$ |
Coding Key:
Prior. (Priority): The first code indicates the item's
priority category:
1* The committee feels that this
action item should be addressed first.
1 Should be addressed as soon as
possible.
Action: The second code indicates the type of cooperation
necessary to accomplish the action.
I Can be accomplished internally.
E Implementation depends on external
groups.
I,E Requires internal and external
action
Funds (Funding): The third code provides a very rough estimate
of cost. It is understood that full cost estimates will be completed
during the implementation phase.
($) Will save money.
0 Can be accomplished using existing
resources.
$ Will cost less than $100,000
to implement and maintain.
$$ Will cost more than $100,000
to implement and maintain.
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