University Advisory Council to Launch

Dear Colleagues,

The University of Arizona community is incredible because of our amazing people and their diversity of experiences. I have tremendous respect for each of you, our faculty, staff and students. Your voice is important. Your thoughts, suggestions and expertise are critical for our University’s success.

To further increase input, guidance, and consultation from and with a wider group of important campus stakeholders, I am pleased to announce the formation of the University Advisory Council. As a proponent and strong supporter of shared governance and community feedback, I look forward to expanding our ability to gather valuable perspectives from more voices across the University of Arizona.

The University Advisory Council will include a combined group of faculty, staff and students who meet regularly with me and the senior leadership team. The council will offer guidance on a variety of matters of significance, including efforts to improve our University’s quality and reputation and the evaluation of strategies to enhance the University’s ability to achieve its central mission of teaching, research and service. The council will serve as an additional channel for communication between my office and campus constituents to enhance and promote the University’s excellence.

The University Advisory Council will complement other shared governance partners including the Faculty Senate, the University of Arizona Staff Council, the Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA), the Graduate and Professional Student Council (GPSC) and the Strategic Planning and Budget Advisory Committee (SPBAC). Regular meetings will occur between the leadership of all shared government partners and the UAC.

I believe in hearing from more voices, not fewer. Along with our existing shared governance bodies, UAC will bring together faculty, staff and student perspectives to help us navigate complex issues facing higher education and the University of Arizona.

My office is finalizing the University Advisory Council charter, and I am working with the deans and other leaders to identify inaugural council members. Membership details will be announced in the coming weeks, and we plan to have our first meeting in March.

I am thankful for each of you and for all you do to make ours one of the top educational and research universities in the nation. I look forward to hearing more of your ideas for helping the University of Arizona achieve even greater success in the coming years.

Thank you, and Bear Down.

Robert C. Robbins, M.D.

President
The University of Arizona
 

This email was sent to: faculty, staff, graduate assistants and associates, and DCCs.