Inaugural to emphasize 'academic imperative'

by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff

hough all eyes will be on Chancellor John V. Lombardi during his inauguration in early February, the two-day event is being shaped to focus attention on the campus's prowess in teaching and research.

     Under the theme, "The Academic Imperative," Lombardi and inaugural planners want to emphasize the overarching importance of teaching and research and highlight the strengths of the University system's flagship campus.

     "The quality of people here is absolutely first-rate. They can compete one-on-one with any faculty in America," says Lombardi. "And the students are good and getting better."

     To underscore those points, the Feb. 7 inauguration in the Mullins Center will be preceded by a day of academic symposia featuring presentations by faculty, graduate students and undergraduates on topics related to teaching, learning and research. All of the colleges and schools will be represented during the academic showcase in the Lincoln Campus Center.

     According to Lombardi, the "academic imperative" succinctly describes his view that the "consistent pursuit of competitive quality" in teaching and research is the number one priority of his administration.

     "If you eliminate everything but teaching and research, you still have a university," he says. "The test of the academic imperative is if you remove a function, do you still have a university?"

     But that's not to say that a modern university can't operate without many support services, Lombardi adds. "You can't do teaching and research without a structure around them You've got to have good staff, infrastructure and support departments."

     Lombardi says his inaugural address will portray UMass Amherst as a "structured, focused institution" striving to be counted among the top universities in the country.

     "We want to accumulate national value," he says. "Greatness is the national reputation of our people and the work that they do."

     Inaugural planners have already mailed "save the date" reminders to faculty, staff, alumni and key supporters of the University. Other efforts are underway to raise private funds to pay for the celebration.

     Details about the inauguration are also being posted on a new Web site (www.umass.edu/inauguration/) that is updated as plans take shape. The site includes biographical information about Lombardi and facts about the campus and the symposia schedule.

     The site will also allow invited guests to RSVP for various inaugural events.