Choices & Responsibility guided
Strategic Plan objectives selection
The Emory Board of Trustees has called for a strategic plan based on the
"value platform" of Choices & Responsibility. The list of
six objectives below represents the five issues discussed in Choices &
Responsibility plus the objective of academic excellence, which is strongly
implied in, but not specifically discussed, in that document.
Discussion groups will be asked to critique these objectives with respect
to how they interact with one another and particularly to generate as many
ideas as possible for advancing these goals, as a body, over the next decade
of Emory's development.
Discussants at this time should not be too concerned about feasibility or
the degree of particularity or generality of their ideas. However, participants
should bear in mind that the plan is specifically referenced to advancing
the ideals of Choices & Responsibility, and that whereas the plans of
individual units and divisions of the University should be consistent with
the University's plan, they will not be detailed in the University plan.
Objective I. Achieving Academic Excellence
Academic excellence is fundamental to all else that we do, and to our very
raison d'être as a private university. Emory will first and foremost,
therefore, continue to pursue the highest attainable standard of scholastic
excellence in the recruitment, retention and support of faculty and students.
But we will, insofar as possible, define and measure excellence in ways
that are consistent with and advance the following five objectives, derived
from Choices & Responsibility.
Objective II. Balancing Teaching and Research
Emory will create and sustain an environment in which teaching and research
are interdependent and equally valued and recognized. Insofar as possible,
each should advance the other, and together advance the central goal of
scholarly inquiry and understanding.
Objective III. Building a Stronger Community
Emory will strive to build an integrated scholarly community, with emphasis
upon promoting a strong intellectual ethos, upon unimpeded communication
and collaboration, and upon encouraging supportive, mentoring relationships
among students, faculty and staff.
Objective IV. Encouraging Interdisciplinary Scholarship
At our foundation we must have the methodologies and knowledge that flow
from strong disciplines. Insofar as possible, Emory will foster the richest
attainable array of collaboration that is consistent with (a) maintaining
intellectually rigorous standards of teaching and research, (b) building
strong schools and departments, and (c) our capacity to support both our
departments and schools and the interdisciplinary programs that we want.
Objective V. Keeping Pace With Infrastructure Needs
Emory will continue to move as aggressively as possible to provide its faculty
and students and its schools, departments and programs with the physical,
sociopolitical and governance infrastructure necessary to support a first-class
academic community.
Objective VI. Assessing Emory's External Relationships
The intellectual integrity of scholarship depends upon maintaining an appropriate
degree of intellectual detachment from difficult issues and parochial interests.
But Emory recognizes that we also have a special responsibility to use learning
to address the problems of society and a need as scholars and students to
derive and test ideas through that experience. Therefore, Emory will cultivate
rich ties with the local, national and global societies for the purpose
of enhancing its teaching, research and service missions.
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