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Open Forum on Strategic Plan

Provost Robert Barchi and EVP John Fry presented an overview of the University's Strategic Plan and then answered questions from faculty, staff and students who attended the Open Forum last Monday. Dr. Barchi presented the timeline for the planning process (Almanac November 13, 2001). Fourteen committees have drafted reports which will be part of the new plan. A draft will be presented to the Trustees next week. The final outline will then be presented to the Trustees in June. Dr. Barchi enumerated the five institutional goals which deal with Penn's standing in the nation and the world, the quality of scholarly activity, a continuum of education, faculty recruitment and retention, and the campus development plan.

Mr. Fry discussed the organizational priorities that will support the institutional goals and the academic priorities. He said that Penn will build and enhance the financial and operational capacity by eliminating redundancies and utilizing assets appropriately. After more than two decades of Responsibility Center Management, Mr. Fry said it was time to reevaluate it. He also spoke about the advantages of enhancing the campus environment.

Dr. Barchi discussed the six academic priorities which Penn will focus on in the coming years. In response to a question about the absence of an academic discipline on the list, he said that these represent "target opportunities" but are not meant to imply they are the only fields that will exist here. Administrative areas are expected to cut their budgets by five percent to allow for growth in the schools. Mr. Fry stressed that the intent is to determine which services are duplicates and to streamline where possible.

There will be an effort to capitalize on academic and interdisciplinary opportunities. Dr. Barchi stressed that this is an academic strategic plan with a goal to create new knowledge.

Penn's Academic Calendar is on the back page. Minor changes have been made to the calendar: Thanksgiving Recess and Spring Recess are now referred to as Breaks, to be consistent with Fall Break.

Almanac, Vol. 48, No. 21, February 5, 2002

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:

Tuesday,
February 5, 2002
Volume 48 Number 21
www.upenn.edu/almanac/

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