Goals 2006-07

Provost's Goals for 2006-2007

Note:  When I think globally about the academic division, it is clear to me that what we need this year is sustained academic momentum, even in this year of transition, and a renewed sense of collegiality and camaraderie.  Therefore, although a list of more specific goals follows, I will count it as a successful year if momentum is sustained and if we feel that we have worked in close collaboration (across faculty, administration, and support staff) as a division.

A.  Over-arching goal is to provide continuing strong support to the academic program, including

• Academic departments and programs (with special attention to relatively new programs, including Globalization Studies and Sunderman Conservatory)
• Library (with special attention to facilities issues)
• Academic Advising (with special attention to the implementation of the new Honor Code and to the fellowship/scholarship program)
• Registrar's Office (with special attention to the large entering class and challenges associated with the move to a 3-2 teaching load)
• Off-Campus Studies Office (with special attention to the development of new affiliations)
• Language Resource Center (with special attention to building close connections with faculty)
• Art Gallery (with special attention to outreach on and off campus)
• Gettysburg Review
• Civil War Institute

            That support will include providing avenues for clear communication and collaboration within the division, careful use of resources, and strong representation of the academic division in college decision-making processes.

B.  Within the Provost's Office

• Assist with smooth transition of new Vice Provost
• Orient and train new administrative assistant
• Provide support for process to recruit new Provost
• Be sensitive to issues of transition by adopting a strong team approach

C.  3-2 teaching load

• Work closely with departments, programs, and Registrar to assure student needs are met
• Consider difficult staffing issues and work towards their resolution
• Plan for related facilities issues (office space, etc.)

D.  Increase support of opportunities for outside-of-the-classroom learning, including

• Faculty-student research (including funding of student travel to professional. meetings)
• Field trips
• Other forms of creative activity
• Continued support of service-learning

E.  Strong faculty recruitment and hiring process

• Establish an early time-table
• Encourage hiring that will increase diversity
• Encourage hiring that will promote interdisciplinary connections
• Provide additional support for searches that have special issues

                        (joint positions, recruitment of chair, etc.)

F.  Faculty development

• Strengthen support for external grant submission
• Strengthen internal support for faculty development (including faculty travel)
• Increase programming and assistance provided by the Johnson Center for Creative Teaching to include more senior faculty members

G.  Management Task Force

• Facilitate work of group
• Support adoption of recommendations by working collaboratively with Management and other faculty

H.  Strategic planning

           Facilitate work of Strategic Planning Committee, with the goal of completing a strategic plan by spring, 2007.

I.  Facilities

            Develop a list of priorities for academic facilities to be given to the new Provost (to include plans for Visual Arts and Music, additional faculty office space, classroom space, library shelf and work space, etc.)

I.  Assessment

            Facilitate work of Committee on Learning Assessment as they continue to develop plans and pilot-test assessment techniques

J.  Diversity Commission

• Actively participate in discussions
• Implement recommendations related to the academic program

 K.    Seek opportunities for increased collaboration with the College Life division

 L.     Strengthen relationship with Information Technology division

 M.  Grant reporting

• Prepare final Freeman Foundation report
• File reports to other foundations and constituencies, including Luce, Chang-Burton, Weaver, etc.