Transforming the U

Goal: To become one of the top 3 public research universities in the world

“In today’s competitive world, standing still means falling behind.”

—Robert BruininksU of M president

Goal: To become one of the top 3 public research universities in the world

Competition is increasing on all levels for:

– State funding– World-class faculty– Top students– Research grants

Over 300 students, faculty and staff have been meeting to develop recommendations 34 task forces working to

improve the U’s teaching, research and outreach mission

Numerous consultation sessions and public forums

Engaging key stakeholders and Minnesota community

Systemwide plan to enhance the U as a talent magnet and economic engineEach of the 34 task forces have been asked to consider key action strategies:

• Best students– How to recruit and educate talented and qualified students

from all walks of life

• Best faculty– How to recruit and retain energetic and creative world-class

teachers and researchers

• Systemwide commitment to excellence – How to promote a culture that embraces change, provides best

possible service and views state resources as its own

• Engage the public to improve lives– Connect scholars with people to make a difference

Best students

• Summer bridge initiatives– Carlson School’s LEAD program

• Founders Opportunity Program– Tuition and fees guarantee

• Universitywide honors program – Integrate collegiate-based

programs into unified system

• Universitywide writing initative– Comprehensive writing

instruction

Best faculty

• Recruit world-class talent– Gunda George

• Retain world-class talent – Chemists George Barany and

Donald Truhlar

• Academy of Distinguished Teachers– Emphasize its value

• Biomedical Sciences Research Facilities Authority – $330 million in state bonding

– 50 new researchers per year for 10 years

Commitment to excellenceServices to be in direct support of the academic, research and outreach mission:

• User-centered, focused on meeting the needs of faculty, staff, students and the public

• Responsive, high quality and efficient• Easily understandable and simple to use• Performance based: accountable for results

and judicious with resources• Continually improving

Engage the public to improve lives

• Expand and deepen connections with K-12 schools– History curriculum in St. Paul

• Bring skills and talents global – Village lights in Nicaragua

• Expand study abroad programs– Emphasize its value

Transforming the U has widespread support

Board of Regents overwhelmingly approved strategic positioning

University Senate supported 120 to 3

Alumni Association endorsed plan 33-2

Transforming the U has widespread support

“The University of Minnesota has a solid feel again and is poised to take its place among top research institutions — if things go well at the Capitol.”

—Lori SturdevantStar Tribune

Transforming the U has widespread support

“The rollout last week of a new ‘strategic positioning plan’ at the University of Minnesota was a sit-up-and-take-notice moment for those who want to maximize higher education higher education’s contributions to this state…. That’s what this strategic plan proposes, without shutting anyone out of access to a collegiate education.”

—Star Tribune editorial

Transforming the U has widespread support

“Changing the University of Minnesota with the aim to make it one of the three best research universities anywhere depends not just on internal leadership but public acceptance that today’s U isn’t good enough for tomorrow’s world…. We agree with University President Robert Bruininks that the status quo … is not an acceptable vision for the future of a great land grant university in a globalized, increasingly complex social and economic system.”

—Pioneer Press editorial

Transforming the U has widespread support

“I am profoundly impressed and appreciative of leadership in challenging times, and President Bruininks is guiding this great university through a realignment process that I think, in the long haul, is going to serve our state very well.”

—Gov. Tim Pawlenty

Transforming the U has widespread support

“A strategic plan for the University of Minnesota that makes it a world-class competitive research university, and measures the value of all programs against this vision, is exactly what all Minnesotans need...”

—Citizens League Task ForceOn Higher Education

The U is engaged and energizedStrategy for a well-positioned future:

State of the Academic Health Center “I can honestly tell you that I have never seen a time at this University where those two experiences — excitement and challenge — have been more linked in a commitment to pursue a strategy that ensures we are well positioned for the future.”

—Frank CerraSenior vice president

Academic Health Center

The U is engaged and energized

“With our General College colleagues … we have an enormous opportunity to look at schools, family, and communities across a broader range than we did before…. We’re very excited about the change.”

—Steve YussenDean

College of Education &

Human Development

The U is engaged and energized

“The goal for the new college is to bring together a group of faculty and students to form the premier unit in the nation focused on human development across the lifespan. The potential for this to be a positive change is immense.”

—Terry CollinsInterim Dean

General College

The U is engaged and energized

“It’s like an educational renaissance for preK-12 education. We’ve been doing a lot of the right things at the University of Minnesota—now we just have to get them in alignment.”

—Patricia HarveyCochair of the PreK-12 Strategy Task Force and former St. Paul Public Schools superintendent

The U is engaged and energized

“Never have I seen, over the last nine years at the U, so many things happening and so many possibilities before us.”

—Tom FisherDean

College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture

Next steps:Next wave of preliminary recommendations

• Public comment period through April 30, 2006

• Revised recommendations due May 5, 2006

• AHC Precinct Plan• Knowledge Management

Technology• AHC Professional Workforce• Clinical Sciences Enterprise

• Faculty Culture• Graduate Reform: Discipline Evolution• College Design: Science Engineering• College Design: CLA

• Recommendations due March 27

Academic task forces AHC task forces

• Research Infrastructure• Collaborative Research

Research task forces

• Metrics and Measurement• Coordinate Campus Reports

Help transform the U into a top three public research universityGo to www.umn.edu/transforming_the_u

to engage in the public comment process

Transforming the U