May 28, 2010
Dear Colleagues:
When Provost Sullivan issued his approval and comments on the graduate education restructuring work groups' final report on May 21, he directed me to begin the implementation process in collaboration with you. My staff and I have been working over the past weeks to lay the groundwork to expedite implementation of those changes outlined in the report.
This is the first outline of the work that we will undertake together across the University in the coming months. It is critical that we move forward immediately, beginning this summer. As a first step, I have written to college deans. I am now writing to all directors of graduate studies, department heads, DGS assistants, and graduate student leadership to inform you of pending changes and solicit your assistance as we accomplish the work of restructuring.
Our common goal is to further enhance the quality of graduate education and the graduate student experience across the University of Minnesota. The changes recommended by the work groups and approved by the Provost are designed to move primary authority and responsibility for graduate programs to the colleges, to digitize and streamline student processes, and to improve the University's ability to respond to the rapid development of knowledge and changing market forces in higher education.
The final report contains a total of 32 recommendations--20 from the Academic Issues Work Group, and 12 from the Student Administrative Processes Work Group. Many of the recommendations relate to one another. Please see the implementation of work group recommendations summary status report.
Actions and requests related to particular items will be communicated to our graduate education stakeholders in an ongoing process. A communications implementation team is forming to keep us all regularly informed in an open and transparent manner. Your input will be sought regularly and will be essential to our success. Updates will be posted and archived here, http://www.grad.umn.edu/transition.
As we continue with the restructuring process, I encourage your input, feedback, and any questions you may have. We seek your ideas. We will be sure to consult with you and other stakeholders as new processes, procedures, and structures are developed to accommodate the changes in graduate education. My staff and I look forward to working with you in the months ahead and to serve you in our role as convener, facilitator, and collaborator. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Henning Schroeder
Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Education
612-625-2809
schro601@umn.edu
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This message was emailed to Twin Cities, Duluth, and Rochester campus directors of graduate studies (DGSs) and DGS assistants, department heads and chairs, center directors, and leadership of the Council of Graduate Students (COGS) and the Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GAPSA), following a message to college deans and associate deans for graduate education.
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