Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to inform you that on Monday, November 16, I received a report based on the institutional review of Illinois State University led by James Fisher. After carefully reading the report, I directed the President's office to forward copies to the Campus Communication Committee, President, Vice Presidents and other members of the Board of Trustees. An additional copy has been placed on reserve at Milner Library, and the entire document is available on the Board of Trustees web site at http://www11.iwss.ilstu.edu/.
Upon initial review I am impressed by the thorough and constructive nature of the report. Both sincere and thought provoking, it contains positive and non-threatening analysis and feedback. The report examines Illinois State's past and present and offers important recommendations about the University's future.
Clearly, the review will generate a great deal of discussion. In order for that discussion to be held in an environment open to the campus community, I am announcing a special meeting of the Board of Trustees on Monday, December 7, at 9 a.m. in the Bone Student Center Old Main Room. It will be the first opportunity for Board members to discuss the review and to invite comments from the Campus Communication Committee as well as other members of the University community.
Making the report available now allows plenty of time for study and reflection. But I believe it is critical that we attend the December meeting free of expectations or pre-conceived agendas. It is important to remember what this review is as well as what it is not. It is a comprehensive analysis of Illinois State's strengths and challenges based upon input from over 300 people throughout the campus community. It is a review conducted by a group of nationally known higher education experts, all with strong loyalties to Illinois State. It is a well-timed instrument designed to assist in the search for our next president.
This document is not a blueprint for the operation of Illinois State University. I do not anticipate that the Board will take any action on the report during the December 7 meeting. All Board of Trustees' decisions regarding this review and Illinois State will be made after careful consideration of campus community input.
I look forward to our meeting on December 7. It is my sincere hope that this review will inspire positive discussion about our fine institution and that it will continue to bring us together as we work jointly to determine the future of Illinois State University.
Sicerely,
