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Timeline
The University of Minnesota's Transforming the U initiative has gone
through several phases since its inception in the summer of 2004. This
timeline outlines milestones and methods of consultation thus far. The
University has set a goal to become one of the top three public research
universities in the world.
This is a systemwide initiative, with coordinate campuses undertaking
their own strategic positioning processes and building on their own
comparative advantages consistent with criteria approved by the
University's Board of Regents.
August 2008
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First-year undergraduate students will begin their studies with Welcome Week, a six-day, on-campus program. This new program complements the Freshman Orientation experience, and provides opportunities to enhance academic and personal success for first-year students. (August 27-September 1)
July 2008
- Professor Jonathan A. Foley appointed the permanent Director of the Institute on the Environment. Dr. Foley was the founder and Director of the Center for Sustainability and the Global Environment (SAGE) at the University of Wisconsin and was the Gaylord Nelson Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences. He will begin his duties as Institute Director on August 25, 2008.
Thirteen University students (seven graduate students and six undergraduates) were awarded Fulbright grants to study abroad in the 2008-2009 academic year. This represents an increase of five University students over previous years.
June 2008
- Promise of Tomorrow Scholarship Campaign-$230 million raised to date. Scholarship and grant assistance to University of Minnesota students on all campuses will reach a new high-water mark next year at more than $200 million. The projected amount is roughly double the $104 million in grant and scholarship assistance students received in 2000-01. The Founders Free Tuition Program pays for tuition and required fees for a full 12% of University students.
April 2008
- Three University faculty received Guggenheims, the first time since 1980 that multiple winners have been named in consecutive years. For detailed information on the recipients, read the UNews release.
- As part of the effort to increase undergraduate participation in research, the work of over 250 students was featured in the University's 2008 Undergraduate Symposium. The Symposium was sponsored by Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, the Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education, and the Office for Student Affairs. (April 18)
- New liberal education requirements approved by the University Senate. The new requirements include seven Core areas (Arts and Humanities, Biological Sciences, Historical Perspectives, Literature, Mathematical Thinking, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences) and five Theme areas (Civic Life and Ethics, Diversity and Social Justice in the United States, the Environment, Global Perspectives, and Technology and Society).
- First Annual Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship Research Showcase, featuring research presentations from thirty of the best doctoral candidates (April 15). http://www1.umn.edu/urelate/newsservice/NS_details.php?release=080408_3460&page=NS
- The University of Minnesota Rochester held a formal ceremony to inaugurate its first Chancellor, Steven Lehmkuhle. (April 4)
March 2008
- Preliminary draft of Defining the St. Paul Campus: A Working Document is available, which reflects work done by Kate VandenBosch, Robert Kvavik, and the seven deans of college on the St. Paul campus at the charge of Provost Sullivan. The group identified future themes, which will define the mission of the St. Paul campus through meetings with faculty, staff, and others with insight into St. Paul Campus strengths and potential.
- President Bruininks discusses the University’s vision in his annual State of the University Address (March 6). Video footage available here: http://www1.umn.edu/pres/stateoftheu2008.html
- The Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs and the Carlson School of Management partner to offer a Master of Public Policy/Master of Business Administration (MPP/MBA) degree, joining only four other institutions in the country, including UCLA and the University of Michigan. The degree will be offered starting in fall 2008. http://www.ur.umn.edu:16080/uns-archive/view.php?id=4579
February 2008
- Provost Sullivan receives an internal audit of academic support services for student-athletes. This audit is conducted every three years by a senior academic leader outside of the McNamara Academic Center for Student-Athletes (MAC) (February 29).
January 2008
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The University’s Emergency Preparedness Web site is launched as a way to inform the University community how to respond to campus emergencies.
December 2007
- Undergraduate graduation rates on the Twin Cities campus are higher in 2007 than in 2006. The percentage of students graduating in four years increased to 44.9 percent in 2007 from 41.1 percent in 2006. Similarly, the five-year graduation rate increased to 60.5 percent from 58.2 percent and the six-year to 63.6 percent from 61.1 percent. The Twin Cities' campus goal for graduation rates is a 4-year rate of 60 percent, a 5-year rate of 75 percent and a 6-year rate of 80 percent.
- Strategic positioning progress report sent to U faculty and staff, as well as presidents and provosts nationwide. Download the brochure (PDF).
October 2007
- Undergraduate fall enrollment numbers are available, and reflect an increase in the number of applications, test scores, and percentage of students in the top 10 percent of their high school class, among other measures.
September 2007
- Graduation Planner, a first-in-the-nation, state-of-the art, on-line undergraduate graduation planning tool makes its debut. The Planner accesses all available course information and degree requirements so that students create plan that includes the classes they need to take, when they need to take the courses, and how to fulfill requirements in order to graduate on time. https://onestop2.umn.edu/gradplanner/home.jsp
- The Department of Writing Studies opens and the Baccalaureate Writing Initiative begins with a nearly $1 million grant from the Bush Foundation and 175 sections of First Year Writing. (September 4)
June 2007
- Board of Regents votes on 2007-2008 annual operating budget, which includes tuition banding across the system and the Founders Free Tuition Program. These programs are designed to improve graduation rates, enhance the competitiveness of the coordinate campuses, and improve student recruitment. (June 27)
- The new Summer Bridge Program, part of the Bridge to Academic Success, begins (June 16).
http://www.bridgetoexcellence.umn.edu/index.html
- Institute for the Advancement of Science and Engineering Advisory Committee
Blueprint received by the Provost (June 21). This Institute will bring
University researchers together from across the system, launching new
discoveries in a variety of science and technology-related areas.
http://www.academic.umn.edu/provost/interdisc/sci_tech/
- Board of Regents appointed five new Regents Professors, with the strategic positioning goal of increasing the number of Regents Professors to 30 over the next several years. (June 8)
http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/news_details.php?release=070612_3366&
page=NS
- Board of Regents endorsed the new faculty tenure code, increasing the rigor of criteria for promotion and tenure and addressing work-life balance issues. (June 8)
http://www.academic.umn.edu/provost/policies/index.html
- University Libraries join the Google Book Search Project, joining a prestigious group of universities that will have portions of their library content digitized. (June 6) http://www1.umn.edu/umnnews/Feature_Stories/U_joins_the_Google_Book_Search_
Project.html
- President's Policy Committee appointed, with the goal of aligning and managing the University's administrative policies in an effective, continuous manner. (June 5)
- Beginning with the class of 2011, incoming freshmen introduced to the new student learning and student development outcomes as part of New Student Orientation. (June)
May 2007
April 2007
- President Bruininks delivers his fifth State of the University Address, focusing on milestones achieved as part of transforming the U (April 5).
- Revised faculty Tenure Code was approved unanimously (108-0) by the Faculty Senate (April 5).
- Jay Schrankler appointed director of the new Office for Technology Commercialization. This office oversees all aspects of technology commercialization at the University through the Licensing Center, which manages patent and licensing functions, and the Venture Center, which assists in the creation of university-based start-up companies (April 16).
- The Urban Agenda Task Force, co-chaired by Associate Vice President Geoffrey Maruyama and Dean John Finnegan, will submit its task force report to President Robert Bruininks and Senior Vice President Robert Jones (April 1).
March 2007
- President Bruininks presents a comprehensive overview of Transforming the U goals to the Board of Regents (March 9).
February 2007
- Marvin Marshak appointed new half-time Faculty Director of Undergraduate Research. The Director will coordinate the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), ensure greater prominence for undergraduate research, and explore new major funding opportunities (Feb 9).
- Faculty recruitment brochure available and faculty recruitment Web site launched (Feb. 2).
January 2007
- The first annual systemwide Quality Fair showcases University-wide innovations, improvements, and inspirations resulting from Transforming the U (Jan. 25).
The fair includes:
- more than 50 poster presentations
- formal opening remarks from President Bruininks regarding the strategic positioning process
- Approximately 1000 attendees
- Karen Himle appointed new vice president for University Relations (Jan. 9). She will lead University Relations in communicating the University's strategic goals to local, national, and international audiences.
- Serge Rudaz appointed founding director of the new campuswide honors program, which will be available to students in fall of 2008 (Jan. 4).
- The Office of the Vice President for Research opens the new Office of Collaborative Research Services (Jan. 1).
December 2006
- Science Classroom Building Convocation held to conceptualize classrooms of the future. Participants include Robert Beitner, professor of physics at North Carolina State University, and Philip Long, senior strategist and director of learning outreach at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Dec. 14).
- Provost Sullivan launches monthly Conversations with the Provost event, in which he meets with 10 to 12 faculty members to facilitate intellectual exchange and foster community (Dec. 13).
- Regents approve moving degrees from the Department of Rhetoric and the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences to the new Department of Writing Studies in the College of Liberal Arts (Dec. 8).
- Board of Regents Education Planning and Policy Committee hears the Interdisciplinary Initiatives Report, outlining interdisciplinary research initiatives resulting from the strategic positioning process (Dec. 7).
- Nominations sought for Founding Fellows of the Institute on the Environment (Dec. 4 - 20).
November 2006
- Completion of the reorganization of Patents and Technology Marketing with the formation of the Office for Technology Commercialization. The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) announces a new, value-based process designed to reinvigorate commercialization of University research. The Office for Technology Commercialization (formerly Patents and Technology Marketing) will oversee all aspects of technology commercialization at the University of Minnesota, including:
- patenting and licensing intellectual property
- assisting in the development of start-up companies
- providing resources for University researchers
- Strategic positioning progress report sent to U faculty and staff, as well as presidents and provosts nationwide (Nov. 18). Download the brochure (PDF 1.71 MB).
- Board of Regents approves elimination of waiting period for faculty benefits, part of efforts to improve faculty recruitment and retention (Nov. 10).
- Strategic positioning final reports received from the coordinate campuses.
October 2006
- With more than $150 million raised for the Promise of Tomorrow scholarship campaign, the University reaches its scholarship fundraising goal and announces a new goal: to double the number of U students helped through privately funded scholarships and fellowships.
- Integrated biennial budget request unveiled, including Transforming the U funding priorities. Download a summary of the request (PDF 312 KB) or the 2008-09 Biennial Budget Request presentation (PDF 1.81 MB).
- University Metropolitan Consortium formed with the charge of linking University centers, programs, faculty, and staff engaged in teaching, research, and outreach regarding metropolitan change and development.
- Frances Lawrenz appointed associate vice president for research. Lawrenz will play a key leadership role in interdisciplinary research initiatives and University investment in research infrastructure. Her primary responsibilities include implementation of the recommendations for research and scholarship offered by the strategic positioning task forces.
- New undergraduate graduation rate goals unveiled at the October Board of Regents meeting (Oct. 13).
- Institute for the Advancement of Science and Technology Advisory Committee is charged with developing recommendations for an interdisciplinary institute to forge strong connections between biology, the physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering (Oct. 11).
- Deborah Swackhamer appointed interim director of the Institute on the Environment (Oct. 1).
- Darlyne Bailey assumes role of dean of the College of Education and Human Development (Oct. 1).
September 2006
- Academic and Corporate Relations Center (ACRC) launches, with a mission to enhance the ability of the world-wide business community to connect and collaborate with the University of Minnesota’s rich expertise, technology, and talent.
- Scholars Walk dedicated and Wall of Discovery unveiled, honoring the accomplishments of outstanding faculty and alumni (Sept. 29).
- Driven to Discover branding campaign launched systemwide, emphasizing the U’s role in education, research, and scholarship that benefit the public.
- Institute on the Environment Advisory Committee publishes its recommendations (Sept. 14). Download the committee's report (PDF 327 KB).
- Transformed compact planning and decision-making process utilized.
- University administrative team, formed by the president as a standing committee of the executive team, charged to transform administrative operations at the University.
- Metrics Steering Committee appointed.
August 2006
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) office assumes responsibility for all undergraduate research opportunities and joins the vice provost for student affairs in Appleby Hall to facilitate student access.
- Facilities Management Transformation Project report submitted.
- New three-day, comprehensive orientation program for new faculty launched.
- Administrative Service and Productivity Team posts final report. Download the report (PDF 4.78 MB)
- Nancy “Rusty” Barceló appointed as the new vice president and vice provost for equity and diversity.
July 2006
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience Leadership Advisory Committee, comprising faculty from across the University, is formed to identify initial programmatic emphases of the institute. The institute will advance the movement of basic neuroscientific discoveries through translational and clinical research to develop new therapies and treatments that improve health.
- University of Minnesota Rochester receives new state funding for expansion (to commence July 1).
- New internal budget model implemented. The new model is transparent and responsive, and:
- supports the stated values of the University
- allows for long-term financial investments
- addresses the overhead needs of the University
- provides reliable, stable, and predictable incentives for sound financial planning and strong fiscal management
Implementation began with the development of the FY 2007 budget. The model will be monitored and revised as necessary.
- Consortium for Postsecondary Academic Success formed, with the goal of strengthening and broadening the pipeline to higher education across the state.
- Two new academic departments created:
- Three new colleges open (July 1):
June 2006
- Six Twin Cities colleges close (June 30):
- College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture
- College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
- General College
- College of Human Ecology
- College of Natural Resources
- College of Education and Human Development
May 2006
- 34 strategic positioning task forces complete their work. Final recommendations are posted to the Transforming the U Web site.
- Advisory Committee for the Institute on the Environment is charged by the provost with proposing recommendations for a world-class, systemwide institute to address global environmental problems with research-based, transdisciplinary solutions.
- The Task Force on Faculty Culture submits its revised recommendations (May 10).
- Public comment period for the Faculty Culture preliminary task force recommendations ends (May 5).
- Academic Health Center, Research, Metrics and Measurement, and four academic task forces submit their recommendations (May 5).
April 2006
- Public comment period for the Academic Health Center, Research, Metrics and Measurement, and four academic task forces ends (April 30).
- Task Force on Faculty Culture posts its preliminary recommendations for review and public comment (April 5).
March 2006
- The following coordinate campus task forces submit their recommendations (March 31):
- University of Minnesota, Morris
- University of Minnesota, Crookston
- University of Minnesota, Duluth
- University of Minnesota, Rochester
- Ten task forces post their preliminary recommendations for review and public comment
(March 31):
- AHC-Knowledge Management Technology
- AHC-Health Professional Workforce
- AHC-Clinical Sciences Enterprise
- AHC-Precinct Plan
- Collaborative Research
- College Design: CLA
- College Design: Science/Engineering
- Graduate Reform: Discipline Evolution
- Metrics and Measurements
- Research Infrastructure
- Revised Administrative Service and Productivity Steering Committee's Progress and Implementation Priorities Report posted for review (March 24).
- Revised recommendations of the Task Force on College Design: Small Colleges posted for review (March 16).
- Public comment period for the Task Force on College Design: Small Colleges preliminary recommendations ends (March 13).
- Public comment period for the Administrative Service and Productivity Steering Committee's Progress and Implementation Priorities Report ends (March 6).
February 2006
- Preliminary recommendations from the Task Force on College Design: Small Colleges posted for review and public comment (Feb. 13).
- Revised recommendations from 11 task forces posted for review (Feb. 10):
- College Design: CNR/COAFES/CHE
- College Design: CALA/CHE
- College Design: CHE/CEHD
- College Design: GC/CEHD
- Diversity
- Graduate Reform: Student Support
- International University
- PreK-12 Strategy
- Undergraduate Reform: Honors
- Undergraduate Reform: Student Support
- Undergraduate Reform: Writing
- Administrative Service and Productivity Steering Committee's Progress and Implementation Priorities Report made available for review and public comment (Feb. 6).
- Eleven task forces that made preliminary recommendations in December submit their revised recommendations (Feb. 3).
January 2006
- Public comment period for preliminary task force recommendations released in December ends (Jan. 27).
- Metrics and Measurements Task Force Progress Report made available for review and comment (Jan. 24).
- Implementation plans from several administrative task forces submitted to the Administrative Service and Productivity Steering Committee (Jan. 9):
- Administrative Structure
- Best Practice Management Tools
- Culture
- Optimize Resources
- People
- Services
- Single Enterprise
December 2005
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
- Task forces meet to formally begin their work (Sept. 16).
- President Bruininks announces the names of the task force chairs and cochairs to faculty, staff, and
students (Sept. 9).
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005
- Board of Regents holds public hearing on the president's strategic positioning recommendations (May 16).
- Board of Regents reviews the president's recommendations (May 13).
- President Bruininks' strategic positioning recommendations made public (May 6).
- President Bruininks prepares final recommendations and submits them to the Board of Regents.
April 2005
- President Bruininks and senior administrators consult with deans, faculty, staff, students, governance groups, Board of Regents members and community members, and reach out through newspapers, radio, and television.
March 2005
February 2005
- President Bruininks gives State of the University address (Feb. 14).
- Strategic positioning open forum held on the East Bank (Feb. 15).
- Board of Regents holds University Strategic Positioning IV work session; draft report submitted by President Bruininks and Provost Sullivan (Feb. 10).
- Strategic positioning open forum held in St. Paul (Feb. 9).
- Provost Sullivan updates faculty, staff, and students on the initial two task forces and seeks suggestions or comments in two new open forums (Feb. 5).
January 2005
- Draft strategic positioning report released and posted to the new strategic positioning Web site. Provost Sullivan invites comments on the report (Jan. 31).
December 2004
November 2004
- Strategic positioning town hall forum held in St. Paul (Nov. 29).
- Strategic positioning town hall forum held in Mondale Hall on the West Bank (Nov. 23).
- Strategic positioning town hall forum held in Coffman Union on the East Bank (Nov. 22).
- Provost Sullivan reminds faculty of the opportunity to submit comments (Nov. 15).
- Board of Regents holds University Strategic Positioning III work session on state demographics and economy with Provost Sullivan, T. Gillaspy, and T. Stinson (Nov. 11).
- Provost Sullivan invites the University community to three strategic positioning town hall meetings in November (Nov. 11).
October 2004
- Provost Sullivan updates faculty, staff, and students on the strategic positioning process and encourages their participation in the effort (Oct. 21).
- Board of Regents holds University Strategic Positioning II work session on principles for evaluating programs and services with President Bruininks and Provost Sullivan (Oct. 7).
September 2004
- Board of Regents holds University Strategic Positioning I work session with President Bruininks and Provost Sullivan (Sept. 9).
August 2004
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