December 14, 2007

Dear Colleagues,

As we approach the close of the fall semester, complete finals and grades and prepare for winter graduation, it is appropriate to take a few minutes and reflect on the many accomplishments of the University community this fall.

Each of the colleges has completed the compact planning process, which will guide academic priorities and funding as we move into the future. Those are available on the Provost's area Web site for review. Each of you, along with your colleagues and Dean, led a process to reflect on and identify your areas of excellence and those areas that require continued development. I am sure you understand the importance of this process and I thank you for your input and participation.

The University Work Group has finished extensive work that embraced the alignment of the goals of Bowling Green State University with those of the new University System of Ohio. Final edits of the document will be complete in January 2008 and available on the Provost's Web site at that time. Many existing documents developed with representatives of the faculty and staff over the past few years were reviewed and incorporated into the final document: "Realizing the Premier Learning Community."

The "first-year" programs review task force has completed its report with recommendations for the "BG Experience" which begins at admission and culminates with a capstone project and graduation. Implementation of these recommendations will be phased in during summer 2008. Additionally, compacts were written by the University Honors Program; BG Perspective (general education); the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT); the Office of Service-Learning; the Center for Innovative and Transformative Education (CITE), and Partners for Community Action (PCA). All of this work will inform the work of the Strategic Planning Committee the President will appoint at the beginning of spring semester. 

In the spring semester, we will begin to phase in a reorganization of the Provost's office to provide greater alignment of our work to support the academic agenda, as well as realize greater levels of efficiencies. Stay tuned for more information as that work evolves over the next semester.

A significant influence in my professional life has been the work of Parker Palmer, author of numerous books; perhaps the most popular of his work has been "The Courage to Teach." I have read most of Parker's work and find a common theme that states that we cannot be effective in our lives - personal or professional - without authenticity, self- reflection and alignment of our own values to the life we are living and working. Bill George in his new book, "True North," addresses many of the same tenets as he reflects about authenticity and leadership.

In all of this work and the work that will occur next semester, Bowling Green State University continues to be engaged in self-reflection ... naming our points of excellence and designing a future that will be aligned with the new system of higher education goals while remaining authentic with our values. 

Shirley L. Baugher
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

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