April 25, 2008

As we enter the final phase of this semester, it seems to me to be a good time to reflect on this year and our great accomplishments.  This has indeed been a year of planning as we committed to address the new system of higher education in Ohio and BGSU’s definitive role within the system.  We have engaged in defining our future. 

The work of this year has required our innovative thinking and imagination – that ability to see beyond a complex problem to an effective explanation and solution.  Many of you accepted the invitation to imagine solutions for important issues to our community this year, and your leadership is deeply valued.

Last fall, the Deans led a process of establishing benchmark data and goals for the colleges in the creation of the collegiate compacts.  Those documents have informed decision- making throughout this year. 

The members of the Academic Affairs University Work Group engaged in an extensive process of reviewing all planning documents and pulling relevant goals and strategies to develop metrics for BGSU as we continue to address the Chancellor’s Master Plan for the next ten years.  The document will be central to the planning within Academic Affairs as we address accountability for our campus.

Invited Task Force members joined the Senate Faculty Welfare committee to identify criteria to guide stopping the tenure clock.  The task force has completed their report and recommendations will be presented to Senate in the fall.

A special Task Force developed a statement on BGSU’s policy on faculty sanctions.  The report was presented to the Senate and a committee of the Senate used the work of the task force to inform the development of a BGSU Policy on Faculty Sanctions that was presented to the Senators for consideration this spring.

Several members of the University community accepted an invitation to serve on the Graduate Review Committee.  The committee has completed an interim report of their progress.   They are doing excellent work on our behalf and have asked for an extension of their time line for submission of a final report which was granted (October 30, 2008). 

Members of the service units within A cademic A ffairs have completed business plans that indicate goals and strategies to support the academic mission of the University.

A review of First Year Programs was completed fall semester and a report of the Bowling Green Student Experience informed reorganization of the Provost’s Office to support the goals of the report. 

The Committee to review the Administrative Stipend Policy has completed a draft report and will finalize their recommendations prior to the end of the semester.

Members of the Pre-Award Committee worked this spring to create recommendations addressing support for our grant and contract development and processing within the University.  Their report will be completed within a few weeks.

Several of you are currently serving on the Change Team leading a strategic planning process to engage the entire university community as we continue to address planning for our future.

Your commitment to this work has led to fundamental changes in the way we think about our work as well as addressing systems and infrastructure to support excellence at BGSU.  The recommendations from each of the groups have informed our work and will continue to do so for the next few years.

You engaged in leadership for the university while practicing the scholarship that distinguishes us: teaching and creation of learning environments, research and creative expression, and engagement with our multiple communities.   I extend my sincere thanks to each of you for your commitment of leadership for BGSU and I depend on your continued leadership as we end this semester, celebrate our accomplishments and prepare to enter the next phase of our future. 

I recently read a quote that intrigued me and I  share it with you in hope for a creative summer!

“The emergent process, as noted by the geneticist Theodore Dobzhansky, is neither random nor determined but creative. Just as in human order, creativity is neither a rational deductive process nor the irrational wandering of the undisciplined mind but the emergence of beauty as mysterious as the blossoming of a field of daisies out of the dark Earth.”  (from The Great Work: Our Way Into the Future by Thomas Berry).

Shirley L. Baugher
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

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