Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President Update on Issues ...

Interdisciplinary Research – Beyond Rhetoric: After talking about valuing interdisciplinaryresearch for many years, we finally made it happen this year by seeding $10 million worth <strong>of</strong>ideas in four thrust areas (involving over 40 faculty members <strong>and</strong> approximately 60 newgraduate students). These seed grants will groom future centers <strong>of</strong> excellence <strong>and</strong> national awardwinning pr<strong>of</strong>essors while preparing a new class <strong>of</strong> interdisciplinary-trained graduate students.The initiative, first <strong>of</strong> its kind, will not only build a sustainable research base, but will also boostour doctoral degree pr<strong>of</strong>ile…this is how we are building <strong>the</strong> pathway to seek AAU eligibility.Chief Technology <strong>Office</strong>r: After successfully reorganizing <strong>the</strong> <strong>Office</strong> <strong>of</strong> Decision Support, weare reorganizing one more area so we can better serve you. The newly created position <strong>of</strong> ChiefTechnology <strong>Office</strong>r (CTO) will have 65-70 staff positions, brought toge<strong>the</strong>r from different unitsacross campus. The CTO will ensure that we achieve maximum efficiency in <strong>the</strong> procurement <strong>of</strong>technology while having <strong>the</strong> tools to drive toward our vision. In one faculty’s words, “this is <strong>the</strong>most significant thing that <strong>the</strong> University has done in many years!” As I thank Dr. TonyLewellyn for his outst<strong>and</strong>ing leadership <strong>of</strong> Academic Computing, I am happy to announce thatDr. Kathleen Moore has agreed to serve as Acting CTO until <strong>the</strong> position is filled. The searchfor <strong>the</strong> first CTO is headed by Dean Colleen Kennedy. If you are interested in reading moreabout it, here is <strong>the</strong> attachment that I discussed at <strong>the</strong> open forum held to announce <strong>the</strong> initiative.http://files.acad.usf.edu/<strong>Provost</strong>/<strong>Update</strong>-04-2007-Chief-Technology-<strong>Office</strong>r.pdfUSF <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> new Strategic Plan: If you have not seen USF’s new Strategic Plan, you may wantto do so now (http://www.ods.usf.edu/plans/acadaffairs/). After 14 versions <strong>and</strong> 9 town hallmeetings, <strong>the</strong> Strategic Plan is now a reality. The Plan calls for USF to embark on a journeytoward becoming AAU-eligible. It is a significant move even though it may take a few yearsbefore USF becomes eligible <strong>and</strong> gets invited to AAU. By embracing <strong>the</strong> vision <strong>of</strong> AAUeligibility,USF has declared its intention to build both breadth <strong>and</strong> depth. It will mean changinginstitutional culture <strong>and</strong> making it consistent with what is found in AAU institutions. In case youare wondering about USF’s commitment to undergraduate education, please feel comforted by<strong>the</strong> fact that AAU now includes quality <strong>of</strong> undergraduate education as one <strong>of</strong> its measures. Whatis <strong>the</strong> next step? All campuses will develop <strong>the</strong>ir own strategic plan consistent with <strong>the</strong> mission<strong>and</strong> vision set forth in this larger umbrella plan. Once we refine <strong>and</strong> tune <strong>the</strong> plan for Tampa, wewill ask departments <strong>and</strong> colleges to prepare <strong>the</strong>ir compact plans which will include goals <strong>and</strong>resources necessary to achieve <strong>the</strong> next level <strong>of</strong> excellence. During this Fall, you will have anopportunity to consider <strong>the</strong> future <strong>of</strong> your department <strong>and</strong> what resources would it take for you toget <strong>the</strong>re.Legislative Budget: The Legislature is in session <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> budget details are posted on <strong>the</strong>Budget website (http://usfweb2.usf.edu/univsvcweb/2007_2008Budget.htm). USF has severalimportant priorities, among <strong>the</strong>m funding for graduate enhancement, Bio-medical Engineering,Entrepreneurship <strong>and</strong> community engagement initiatives. Recurring funds are scarce this year,but our Trustees, <strong>President</strong> <strong>and</strong> governmental relations staff are hard at work to ensure that wereceive adequate funding to fulfill our mission.New Buildings on <strong>the</strong> Horizon: The Music building is funded; <strong>the</strong> Interdisciplinary Sciencebuilding is mostly funded; <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Classroom/Honors College building (to be located in front <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> Administration as our signature building) is slated to receive planning money. In addition,