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Board of Regents Strategic Positioning Action

June 10, 2005

To: The University Community
From: President Bob Bruininks
Subject: Board of Regents Strategic Positioning Action

Dear faculty, staff, and students,

Today, by a vote of 11 to 1, the Board of Regents approved the strategic positioning recommendations that will launch the University of Minnesota on its journey to become one of the top three public research institutions in the world. This strong vote of confidence truly speeds us on our way.  

The resolution approved by the regents includes: the integration of the programs now within the College of Human Ecology into other colleges; the integration of the programs in the College of Natural Resources into the College of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences; and the integration of General College into an expanded College of Education and Human Development.  The resulting new, expanded colleges will have the resources and potential for world-class leadership.

Many recommendations received support from the Board of Regents but did not require board action. They focus on student services and undergraduate academic programs; faculty support; future design of the University, including an international component; strategic planning for the Academic Health Center and the coordinate campuses; and a series of administrative recommendations aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the University's business practices. The dollars we save as a result of these changes will be reinvested in the academic enterprise. 

I am very pleased with this outcome, the culmination of a yearlong process of planning and consultation with members of the University and larger community.  The many points of view that were shared played a big role in the final recommendations.

To shape and implement the plan, we will shortly appoint task forces that include a mix of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and others. Nominations will be welcome. Information about the task forces and updates about the implementation and transition process will be posted regularly on the strategic positioning Web site at http://www.umn.edu/systemwide/strategic_positioning/ . The task force reports are due by December 10, 2005, and we plan to have many of the changes in place by July 1, 2006.

I want to assure you that we will take the utmost care in crafting transition plans that address the concerns of affected faculty and staff. We will also do everything we can to make sure that students enrolled in colleges undergoing change can complete their intended course of study with little or no disruption. 

There will be many opportunities in the coming months for University community members and others to engage in this process. This is a historic time, and I look to all of you for your ideas and energy to help us achieve our goals.  Our ability to provide the education and research that contribute to better lives and livelihoods for all Minnesotans depends on what we can accomplish together over the next few months and years.

Change is difficult, but the results will more than repay our efforts.  The board's vote marks a beginning to this journey, not an end. As always, I welcome your thoughts as we move forward.  Thank you for your support.

Warm regards,

Bob Bruininks
President, University of Minnesota