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As we reported last week, the process of Phase I of Academic Futures: Rethinking the university—the futures of learning and discovery has generated 56 individual meetings with either departments or the campus community at large. These input opportunities (and we have nearly 60 combined meetings yet to come) are exciting and energizing, offering faculty, staff and students the opportunity to share their visions of research, creative work, teaching and learning at ²ÊÃñ±¦µä.

Vice Provost and AVC for Faculty Affairs and Convener of the Academic Futures Campus Conversation Jeff Cox

RIO Director of Strategic Projects and Facilitator of the Academic Futures Campus Conversation Emily CoBabe-Ammann

We’ve heard from faculty that the scheduling demands on their time during fall semester have made it a challenge to attend the campuswide themed conversations, so we’re pleased to announce we are adding some new opportunities for conversation as part of Academic Futures in the form of faculty forums.

Once a week, from now through mid-December, we will host the forums on topics of interest to faculty that have emerged so far in our town halls and themed and departmental conversations. Some of the themes we will explore are faculty governance, establishing a campus core curriculum, and the future of the criteria for annual merit and tenure reviews. You can see the schedule for the forums on the .

Meanwhile, we’re pleased to report the first wave of white papers our community has submitted are posted on the AF website. The white papers represent a variety of topics and authors and will be posted as soon as they can be successfully converted to a digitally accessible format.

White papers submitted have ranged from existing (and repurposed) academic papers that are relevant to our conversations to short recommended strategies offered by emeritus faculty/administrators to group-generated reports and analyses taking on big issues and offering new ideas.

A white paper can be as short as a half or single page or as long as you’d like it to be. It can be single or group-authored or anonymous. Please note, however, white papers should be constructive and idea-centric.

We are always happy to hear from you, directly or through the Academic Futures website. Please let us know if you have questions, comments or concerns.

Jeff Cox,
Vice Provost and Associate Vice Chancellor for Faculty Affairs
Convener of the Academic Futures Campus Conversation

Emily CoBabe-Ammann,
Director of Strategic Projects for the Research & Innovation Office
Facilitator of the Academic Futures Campus Conversation