Acknowledgements
The development of this self study and plan
occurred over a period of almost eight months. It was informed by an
extensive data study about Temple University prepared by staff in several
academic and administrative offices. Wide-ranging discussions with campus
groups and others involved with Temple have occurred. These include one or
more meetings with at least the following groups: the faculties of each of
Temple's 17 colleges and schools; the Faculty Senate; the Faculty Senate
Executive Committee; several faculty groups committed to specific aspects
of Temple's life, such as the Teaching Learning Technology Roundtable and
the Teaching Academy; the Temple Student Government; the Temple Greek
Association; the leaders of student groups in the Fox School of Business
and Management; informal student groups that have invited me to visit with
them; the officers of the General Alumni Association and six meetings with
alumni groups in the metropolitan area and elsewhere; Temple's union
leaders; the University's officers; the Council of Deans; the Board of
Trustees in a special retreat and briefing; leaders of the Community
Development Corporations and other associations in the neighborhoods
around Temple; and other individuals and groups too numerous to mention,
including many Philadelphia leaders who have Temple associations or simply
have a deep interest in the University. Temple's recent accreditation self
study and other Temple documents in staggering numbers have been daytime
and bedtime reading for months.
All of that cannot form a complete picture of Temple, of course. But
it has given me enough information to formulate an extensive agenda for
the University. As new information develops, some conclusions and plans
will change. But I hope that most of the plans and proposals in this
document are sound. More important, I expect those involved in
implementing proposals or deliberating about them to move expeditiously to
do so.
Temple has a proud history and rich traditions. It has enormous
opportunities. And it has a great deal to do in the next few years.
Substantial energy, commitment, and thought will be necessary to implement
proposals or improve them so that their purposes can be achieved. My clear
impression from almost every quarter in and around Temple is that faculty,
staff, students, alumni, trustees, officers, deans, neighbors, friends,
donors, and public officials want Temple to flourish and are prepared to
help make that happen. I look forward to the challenges and to working
with all of those committed to Temple in addressing them.
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