Campus Communications
» back to Campus Communications
Framework for Excellence Strategic Plan
-
December 3, 2010
To the Campus Community,
Yesterday we presented our strategic plan, the "Framework for Excellence," to the Faculty Senate. Front and center in this plan is our goal "to match the excellence of the public universities that are members of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU)." I write to encourage your participation in this process as the colleges and Academic Affairs develop their unit plans next semester. The University of Massachusetts Amherst already is among the nation's finest institutions of higher education. With the proper vision, support, and guidance we will rise even further into the ranks of the very top universities in America.
Our goal of developing excellence befitting a public, AAU-member university, is the proper one given our flagship status, our state Land Grant mission, and a Carnegie Foundation designation as a "very high" research institution. Many great things happen on this campus, and many notable research achievements mark our history and profile already. Yet, to attain AAU-like stature we must make extensive improvements in research expenditures, doctorates awarded, national academy memberships, and other measures of academic excellence. By following the course set by the Framework, and eventually by unit strategic plans, we will reach our goal.
It is vital to note that the Framework will guide central administrative actions and decisions going forward. This approach means that Deans, Vice Chancellors, the Provost and I will reposition existing resources, create new hiring lines, and administer the campus in general so as to meet the primary goal of the plan. Precisely how we will evolve to match the excellence of public AAU universities will depend on faculty participation, and on unit plans tailored to their individual circumstances.
The Framework presentation to the Faculty Senate is a useful starting point for understanding the strategic plan. It can be found on my website, and under "Framework" and "Strategic Plan" on the A-Z homepage index. Along with this presentation are three versions of the Framework: in narrative form, as an executive summary, and in a classic Vision/Mission/Goals strategic plan format.
I look forward to working with you as we make our outstanding university an even better place in the future.
Robert C. Holub
Chancellor
