President John T. Casteen, III presented a speech outlining the role of the new Commission on the Future of the University during the Board of Visitors' first meeting of the semester yesterday afternoon.
The commission, which is the third of its kind at the University, is an addition to the work already underway for the 10-year academic plan, according to University spokesperson Carol Wood.
"The 10-year plan is really strong on nuts and bolts, but the Commission on the Future of the University will add a layer of aspiration," Wood said.
The five committees of the proposed commission will use that aspiration to help improve various aspects of the University, according to Casteen.
"It is the start of a plan that will carry us through six to eight months of intense work," Casteen said.
According to Wood, Casteen hopes to finalize the commission by fall 2007.
In its current state, the commission includes of Leonard Sandridge, executive vice president and chief operating officer, and Tim Garson, vice president and Medical School dean, who will serve as co-chairs.
The committee on programmatic initiatives will work to analyze the "University's competitive posture," according to the draft of the commission presented by Casteen. This will involve extensive research of other universities' assets, according to Casteen.
"If you want to be in line with Cornell, NYU and Harvard you have to know what they are doing and how they are doing it," Casteen said.
The committee on students and faculty members will work to promote diversity of background among students and staff. One specific point that would be handled by this committee is the possibility of increasing undergraduate enrollment in the Engineering School, Casteen said.
The committee on academic and non-academic infrastructure will evaluate the adequacy of the University's libraries, computing systems and current buildings. It will also deal with the construction and renovation of buildings on Grounds.
The other two committees are the committee on the mission and related matters and the committee on school, multi-school and Medical Center plans.
Following Casteen's address on the commission, the Board held an executive session on fundraising and performance goals for personnel.
Today the Board will host a press conference, hear summaries from its various committees and discuss the Master of Science in Commerce proposed by the Commerce School.
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