UW Gazette, February 5, 1997
     
     Under the title "Building on Accomplishment", a "draft
plan for the University of Waterloo's fifth decade" was
published last week by the Commission on Institutional Plan
ning. Now it goes across campus for "general review and
response".
     The report isn't long - 29 pages in rather large type
- and has 35 recommendations, some of them with several
clauses. Mostly it stays away from suggesting specific
changes to the university's programs, courses and
structure, but it says much about "excellence", "community"
and "flexibility" and the kinds of efforts that need to be
made.
     Here's a key paragraph from the Introduction to the
report:
     "The fundamental and rapid changes occurring in the
academic environment since the commission started work in
1994 reinforce the need for a coherent strategy to deal
with the uncertainties of the future. This plan outlines
UW's heritage and distinctive mission, identifies
challenges and opportunities facing UW, presents some
general recommendations, and makes specific recommendations
that support what the commission sees as three essential
priorities for the university: to enhance academic
excellence in teaching and research, to strengthen the
relevance of teaching and research,  and to provide an
enabling and supportive work/study environment."
     The report describes UW as "an institution dedicated
to using innovative means to achieve traditional goals: the
pursuit of learning through scholarship, teaching, and re
search within a spirit of free enquiry and expression, for
the economic, social, and cultural benefit of society.É At
the heart of UW's distinctiveness is a culture of learning
by linking to the 'real world' which influences nearly
everything the university does.É
     "UW's vibrant and complex culture is the result, in
large measure, of the creative tension arising from the
strong individual identities and autonomous relationships
of the various Faculties and colleges on the one hand, and,
on the other, the forging of a common vision and
enterprise."
     The full text of the report will be found in this
Gazette, beginning on page 5.
     It includes recommendations on everything from
undergraduate program requirements to ways of encouraging
research at a time when outside funds are tight.
     "During this period of rapid change," one section
says, "the internal UW community needs careful nurturing
and attention. Serious workload problems and stresses
resulting from budget reductions over the past four years
threaten the quality of UW's programs and services and its
commitment to research. UW must improve communications,
build a greater sense of community across campus, and
improve methods for handling problems and disputes when
they arise."
     Specific recommendations say that UW should reduce the
size of its committees, and should create a unit
responsible for helping teachers introduce learning
technology. There should also be "a comprehensive and co-
ordinated student recruitment strategy".
     The report was written by a twelve-member committee
that's spent more than two years at the task, led by
provost Dr. Jim Kalbfleisch.
     In a list of members attached to the report, the
commission reveals that two of its members were replaced
along the way: both the undergraduate and graduate student
members left and their places were taken by other students.
     "Building on Accomplishment" got its first public
airing on Monday of last week, at a meeting of the senate
long-range planning committee, and was available on UWinfo
on Tuesday.
     Now, two public meetings to discuss the report are
being scheduled: next Tuesday, February 11, at 4 p.m., and
Thursday, February 13, at 12 noon. Both meetings will be
held in Needles Hall room 3001.
     Several regular meetings of governing bodies will also
discuss it: the senate long-range planning committee on
February 11, the senate itself on the evening of February
17, and the board of governors on April 1.
     Says a memo from UW presidsent Dr. James Downey:
"Members of the commission are willing to meet with groups,
departments, and Faculties, and would welcome written re
sponses to the draft plan. Please send written responses by
April 15, 1997, to Heather White, Office of the President
and Provost, NH, or by e-mail to heather@provost-admin."
     Once the discussions have happened, the commission
will "revise the draft plan and submit a final report for
action", the president said. The commission itself suggests
that the final report should be submitted by the end of
June, and that within three months after that, the
president should "present a strategy for implementing the
recommendations".