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\f0\fs24 \cf0 \ A very happy new year to the entire UD community!
As 2011 unfolds, we can look back with pride on many achievements that made 2010 such an
extraordinary year. \ \
In our actions and accomplishments, we continue to be guided by our Path to Prominence. And
so, last year, I convened a group to gauge our fidelity to the plan's principles, and
to measure our progress in meeting its milestones. The Strategic Plan Review Committee engaged
many of you in assessing our current initiatives, identifying our biggest challenges and outlining
our future direction.\ \
The review, released in the fall, finds that we're fulfilling the mandates on which the
Path to Prominence is based. For instance, we're hiring in strategic, interdisciplinary
areas and launching cross-disciplinary centers to advance innovative problem solving. We're
expanding the University's global engagement and influence with new international programs
and partnerships. We're enlarging our research enterprise with unprecedented competitive
success. And we can leverage strengths like these as we face the challenges and opportunities
ahead. \ \
Willis F. Harrington Professor Emeritus Richard Heck won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for
his path breaking work in carbon atom linking, work that has transformed organic synthesis.
We'll welcome Professor Heck back to campus in May, along with co Laureate Ei ichi Negishi,
so the scientists might discuss with us the extraordinary implications of their research.\
\ Meanwhile, senior Matthew Watters was named
one of 32 U.S. Rhodes Scholars. Matt's a neuroscience major and political science minor who's already
done extensive public health work in Haiti and Sudan. At Oxford, he'll work toward a
master's in global health science. \ \
UD is one of only two universities nationwide that claimed both these prestigious prizes
in 2010. \ \
A new freshmen class will soon come into focus. Five days before applications were due for
fall admission, we'd already logged nearly 22,000 of them. And the academic caliber of
UD hopefuls is better than ever. Compared to the same time last year, SAT scores are
up across the board. And among in state applicants, scores are running an incredible 44 points
higher.\ \
In December, the Board of Trustees authorized a feasibility study and business plan for
establishing a law school at UD. The feasibility study will be presented to the board in May,
but we wouldn't ask for formal approval until 2013, after we've thoroughly investigated
curricular, financial and operational issues. \
\ Given that UD is located in the nation's corporate
law capital, we could fill an important niche in the legal community, attract top tier students
and faculty from across the country and strengthen multidisciplinary research and teaching within
our existing programs. \ \
UD's physical footprint is maybe changing quickest of all. In 2011, we'll complete three
construction projects launched in 2010. The new UD Bookstore on Main Street, the addition
to the Bob Carpenter Center and the UDairy Creamery. \
\ Several additional projects in planning throughout
2010 will begin construction this year: phase I of the Carpenter Sports Building expansion
and renovation; phase I of the East Campus Residential Complex comprising two new residence
halls on the site of the old Gilbert Complex; and renovations to the Wright House formerly
the Blue and Gold Club. We expect to initiate a number of infrastructure rehabilitation
projects across campus and contingent on additional state aid to begin major renovations needed
at Alison Hall. Most of these projects are bond financed and will be paid off with user
fees.\ \
Work will continue on longer term construction projects, like the Interdisciplinary Science
and Engineering Lab and the Science and Technology Campus, formerly the Chrysler Assembly Plant.
Demolition at the science and tech campus will be mostly completed this year, and we'll
draft a detailed redevelopment plan for the property.\
\ This is a major program of capital investment
and restoration. And yet UD's continued growth in faculty and programs means space on campus
will remain tight. We'll be increasing leased space and asking employees for their patience
until the full benefit of this building boom is realized.\
\ With Delaware facing a budget challenged by
rising health and pension benefit costs, a loss of federal stimulus funds and slow growing
tax revenue, UD cannot expect robust state support in the upcoming fiscal year. Throughout
the lengthy recession, state funding has made up a steadily declining share of our budget.
State appropriations are now at FY2005 levels, and we expect funding to dip even lower in
the fiscal year ahead.\ \
To offset this loss, we'll continue to focus on operating efficiencies, and shrink the
annual expenditure growth we've seen over the last several years. We simply will have
to do more with less.\ \
Not all the financial news is bleak, though. Last fall, both Standard and Poor's and Moody's
gave UD an AA bond rating, citing solid financial resources, a low debt burden and healthy enrollment
and demand. Despite an economy slow to recover despite our location in one of the nation's
most competitive higher education regions we've earned the confidence of the nation's
top bond-rating agencies. \ \
And growing gift revenue is another reason for optimism. Last fiscal year, UD raised
more than $41 million in new gifts and pledges a 30 percent jump over last year. We're indebted
to our loyal alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends for their critical financial support.
Your generous investment in UD shows your belief in our mission and your faith in our
ability to achieve it. This commitment especially now is deeply gratifying.\
\ I look forward to UD's dynamic growth in 2011
to building on our strengths, meeting our challenges and becoming the University of
our aspirations. Change at UD has been quick and significant the Strategic Plan Review
Committee called it "dizzying" and none of it would have been possible without the most
visionary, most supportive faculty and staff any university could hope for. \
\ I'm grateful for your hard work thus far,
and I welcome your continued effort, input and guidance as we begin this next leg of
our journey along the Path to Prominence. \
}