Campus Notice

Memo from Senior Vice President and Provost Mark McNamee regarding the 2006-2012 strategic plan

From: Senior Vice President and Provost Mark McNamee

July 10, 2009

Dear Colleagues:

We are at the mid-point of our 2006-2012 strategic plan, and now is a good time to assess our progress and consider refinements. The plan is providing an excellent guide for our continued development as a university despite the fact that there have been many unexpected developments since the plan was adopted as noted below.

The economic state of the Commonwealth and the nation has radically altered the six year budget plan we developed to support full implementation of the plan. The prospects for a robust recovery in state funding are not promising, and we are adapting to a future that will require increased reliance on tuition and private support coupled with an even greater attention to costs and benefits.
The opportunity to create a new medical school in partnership with Carilion Clinic was not anticipated in the 2006 plan. However, expansion of our investments in health and life sciences is a key feature of our strategic plan, and the medical school and associated research institute dramatically accelerate our efforts. We should explore both the short-term and long-term options that can guide our relationships with Carilion Clinic and other major medical institutions, such as Wake Forest.
The new administration in Washington has opened up many opportunities in energy research and development, including renewable energy, clean coal, and nuclear energy. Energy is a major element in our current plan and we need to make sure that we are well positioned to advance our agenda and take full advantage of funding opportunities.
The interest and support for sustainability and environmental issues has increased substantially since 2006. The review of the plan provides an opportunity for us to define more clearly how we will respond to the challenges, both in terms of academic programs and campus infrastructure. The recent report from the Climate Action Committee provides a strong framework for progress.
A specific strategic plan for diversity and inclusive excellence is nearly complete and the inclusion of this plan into the overall plan would be timely. We are making progress as a result of the “Race and the Institution” task force report, but we continue to face internal and external challenges that require us to keep working steadily and smartly to achieve long-lasting progress.
The April 16 tragedy has permanently changed this campus and all other campuses in many ways. The enhanced attention to security, emergency management, mental health support, and student and employee wellness should be reflected in the foundation strategies of the plan.

These, along with many more issues, need to be evaluated in the context of the scholarship domains (learning, discovery, and engagement) and the foundation strategies of our current plan.

In order to carry out the mid-term review, I have asked Dean Michael Kelly to lead the review process. Dean Kelly will be stepping down as dean in August and he has agreed to accept this assignment prior to his planned retirement at the end of the year. The reviews will be focused and will most likely be carried out by small workgroups with specific assignments. Faculty, staff, and student input will be encouraged and a comprehensive communication strategy will be developed. The goal will be to complete the project in the fall semester.

We can take great pride in the progress Virginia Tech is making in all areas of the strategic plan. The review outlined here will ensure that our planning remains relevant and realistic in today’s environment.

Sincerely,

Mark G, McNamee
Senior Vice President and Provost

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