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Transforming the U update

October 19, 2005

To: The University Community
From: Vice President Kathryn F. Brown
Subject: Transforming the U update

Dear University students, staff and faculty:

This fall, more than 350 people from throughout the University and greater community have rolled up their sleeves and begun working in 34 task forces to develop the steps that will take us to our shared goal of becoming one of the top three public research universities in the world, and for our coordinate campuses, an equivalent standard of excellence. I am writing today to update you on where we stand and to highlight opportunities for you to contribute your perspective to the task forces.

We have asked each task force to consult with a broad range of stakeholders, and some of those sessions have already been posted on the Transforming the U website at http://www1.umn.edu/systemwide/strategic_positioning/events.php . Some sessions will be convened for select audiences of specific stakeholders, while others will be open to the general public. This list will be regularly updated, so please check back frequently for updates on this and other information. In addition, you can offer comments and suggestions directly to any one of the task forces from this same page, or from the Transforming the U home page at http://www1.umn.edu/systemwide/strategic_positioning/ , simply by clicking on the "Feedback to Task Forces" link. This valuable avenue of input is available to all members of the University community.

As each task force completes its draft report with preliminary recommendations, or proposed project implementation plans, the reports will be posted on the Transforming the U Web site. The first task force reports are scheduled to be completed by mid-December and, because of semester break, a public comment period will extend through January 27, 2006, to give people ample opportunity to provide feedback. At the close of the public comment period, each task force will consider the feedback received and formulate its final report. More information about the draft reports will be shared as the various deadlines for completion approach.

Here are some other ways you can engage in this phase of the strategic positioning process:

• Participate in stakeholder consultation meetings;
• Attend public forums;
• Submit suggestions directly to a task force, at any time throughout the process, via the "Feedback to Task Forces" link on the Transforming the U website;
• During the public comment period, review the draft recommendations and reports and share your feedback with the appropriate task force.

We will continue to provide regular updates as the task force work advances. Thank you for your continuing attention to this effort and your active participation in its progress. The strongest, most effective plans will result from the thoughtful consideration of a diversity of opinions and ideas, and each of you is an important resource for this work.

Sincerely,
Kathryn F. Brown
Vice president and chief of staff