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From: Dr. Matthew Gerlach, interim provost and dean of faculties

It has been a very busy start to the summer as work is underway on academic action plans at the College. I am pleased to provide an update on the process and focus areas. As communicated in May when the future programming decisions were announced, the critical next step was to create implementation project teams and processes.

To continue the work recommended by the ad hoc BRAVE committee related to the college’s academic future state, a steering committee and four project teams have been identified. Joining me and co-chairing the steering committee are Deans Dr. Michelle Wieser and Dr. Darren Row. Other academic leadership are on the committee as well.

Three of the four implementation project teams received their charge (summarized below) and started their work at the beginning of the month:

  1. Teach-out Process and Plans for Majors & Minors Being Phased-Out
    • Charge: Create detailed and comprehensive processes and resources to equip advisors with everything they need to communicate with and support students throughout the phase-out process.
  2. General Education Redesign & Teach-Out
    • Charge: Recommend a redesigned liberal arts general education program; create a teach-out plan for elements of Integratus and recommend a general education support structure and assessment process. This work reinforces our commitment to an education grounded in liberal arts regardless of major.
  3. College Operational Effectiveness
    • Charge: Identify critical areas of improvement in college structure and operations (policies, procedures, systems, etc.) and to propose and recommend particular, concrete solutions to address these for greater educational effectiveness and student success.
  4. New Ideas AND Enriching Co-Curriculars (especially the fine and performing arts)
    • This is a critical, yet longer-term project. This includes innovative ideas for future programs, partnerships, and strong co-curricular student experiences. As we have said, though we will be phasing some majors out, we remain committed to the arts and will begin work soon to provide rich co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities for students to engage and participate in music, theatre, and other creative arts. Several ideas have come from faculty, staff, and students. Community organizations also have shown a strong desire to engage and partner. We are looking at a 2023-2024 implementation of new plans, with the coming academic year providing what is currently being offered uninterrupted.

The first three groups have met with the steering committee, drafted and submitted their work plans for review, and already completed initial steps in their work. Each work plan includes an outline of the major project steps, timeline with milestones and deadlines, anticipated consultations with stakeholders, additional budget or other resources needed, steps for proposal approval process, and communications recommendations. The steering committee will meet with each of the groups again on July 6 to discuss the work plans and offer support to advance them. An outside benefactor is supporting the summer work.

Communicating with students as soon as we have plans in place is a critical next step as well. This will likely occur in August given the magnitude, nuance, and collaboration needed.

I welcome input and discussion about the future direction of the College and invite faculty to join me for a Thursday listening session from 12:30-1:30 p.m. either in-person (June 30, July 21, or July 28) or via Zoom (July 7). This is totally voluntary. If interested, please sign up at your earliest convenience for a session by completing this form (refreshments will be provided for the in-person sessions). If you are unable to attend a session or would prefer to connect one-on-one or in smaller groups of two or three, I am available for that as well (in person, online, or by phone). Please email me directly to schedule some time with me and copy Barb Schmidtknecht, bschmidt@smumn.edu.

There is nothing more important to me than to be present, available, and listening to you during this time of significant transition as we prepare for the coming academic year.

As I settle into this interim role of just a month and think about my time at Saint Mary’s – coming up on one year – I reflect on the prodigious work already done, the acute pain, grief, and anxiety many of us have experienced amidst the changes, the current efforts and what is to come, I am heartened to know that we all think always and foremost of our students as our reason for being, our mission. I have spoken with enough of you to know you share an enduring commitment to each and every student. This is foundational to the mission at a Lasallian Catholic university; of this Lasallian Catholic university.

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