I have read the Fisher Report with great interest and I find that it has done an excellent job of capturing the broad essence of Illinois State University. Much of the report is highly positive for the University. In particular, I embrace fully the idea that we should aspire to become one of the "public ivy" institutions. Illinois State's core strength is a high quality undergraduate program. Recently, we have enhanced the baccalaureate experience by a significant reform of the general education program. We currently are working on many fronts to improve the quality of programming for our majors. Like many of the institutions the report urges us to emulate, Illinois State has selected quality graduate programs that derive their strength from their ties to excellent undergraduate programs. I am pleased that the Fisher group perceived the value of these efforts and that they are encouraging us to move aggressively in this direction.
Certainly, the report contains a number of factual errors, unsubstantiated claims, and unwarranted conclusions. I take particular exception to the inferences regarding the aging faculty. Claims about program quality appear to rest mostly on hearsay evidence. In spite of these shortcomings, the report actually provides critical validation of the basic strategic vision of the University and it provides a well-articulated blueprint for substantial movement in that direction.
Ironically, we have the opportunity to use the mechanisms of governance, so hotly contested in the past year, to forge consensus on the mission suggested by the report and to evaluate sensibly and carefully the specific recommendations of the report. If the Board, the next president and the campus community engage in such a process, the institutions of governance will undoubtedly be strengthened and we can take advantage of the wisdom in the report.
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