Academic Planning Process

October 3, 2011 Dean’s Memo to the UTM Community about UTM Academic Planning
 
I am writing to you as members of the UTM community to let you know about the exciting and transformative academic planning process that is beginning - and to invite your input.  This process will give UTM an opportunity to assess how well we are doing and to identify opportunities for change and improvement.  It will take into account all aspects of our academic enterprise: from our students’ academic experience to our research endeavours and co-curricular initiatives.   It will give us an opportunity to identify where we might best invest our resources so as to maximize our goals of achieving excellence in teaching, learning and research.
 
In accordance with University guidelines, I have struck an Academic Planning Committee to help guide us through this process. As a first step we are developing a draft set of values to guide our planning process. We will share our draft statement about these values with the UTM community at Town Halls and on a website so that we can get your input into the process from the outset.  While this phase is in progress, our academic departments will begin the work of assessing current strengths and challenges, so as to inform development of their goals and priorities.
 
I am committed to making this process as inclusive and as broadly based as possible.  Throughout the development of the plan, I – and UTM’s academic units - will consult broadly with UTM students, staff, faculty and interested alumni or members of the community. In addition to the Town Halls in October, I will launch a website that will provide more detailed information and links and, of course, invite your suggestions and insights.  
 
Town Hall Meetings to discuss academic planning and the values that will guide it are scheduled for October 26th. Two meetings have been booked. In an effort to ensure that students in particular have an opportunity to have their voices heard, I am suggesting that the first meeting will be aimed primarily at students, and the second at faculty, staff, and alumni. Although anyone from the UTM community is welcome to attend either town hall, I ask that students be given a chance to speak first at the first town hall.
 
Town Halls on UTM Academic Planning

Oct. 26, Spigel Hall, Davis Building, 2-3 pm (students given priority to speak at this meeting)

Oct. 26, Council Chambers, Davis Building, 3:30-4:30pm  

I look forward to working with you as partners in this important phase of our academic life and growth as a campus and community.  
 
Amy Mullin
Vice Principal Academic and Dean
University of Toronto Mississauga
Amy.Mullin@utoronto.ca