June 6, 2016

Dear University of Miami Community,

In my inaugural address I outlined areas in which the University of Miami could foster transformation, connection, and reinvention as an institution. These opportunities were defined in part by listening to members of our community during the many inspiring conversations we had last fall. Beginning in February, we convened small working groups of faculty, staff, and students to craft proposals to spark conversation about bringing these exciting concepts to life.

These working groups have conducted scans of similar initiatives at our University and others, collected data, consulted with constituencies across the University, and engaged with leading experts. Today I am pleased to announce that the working groups have crafted substantial proposals for the University community to consider and shape and the University administration to implement.

These proposals will advance the Roadmap to Our New Century only if they are discussed, debated, and refined by the larger UM community. From today until the start of next semester, I ask you to review the recommendations of the working groups and submit your feedback. To continue the bold growth of an institution we treasure, we need many voices to contribute to a shared vision. I am grateful for your questions and ideas.

You can read each of the draft roadmap initiatives and provide feedback here. The initiatives are interlocking and meant to complement and build upon each other. Over the coming weeks, we will highlight each initiative individually.

In the fall I will again hold a series of meetings across the University to share what we have heard and to discuss the path toward implementation. With feedback from our community, the finalized proposals will be channeled through our regular governance mechanisms involving the Faculty Senate and the Board of Trustees.

The process of forming working groups and developing the draft consultation papers showcased the remarkable level of accomplishment and talent at the University of Miami. Now that they have finished their excellent work on time, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the working groups for their extraordinary efforts. More broadly, I am thankful to the many members of our community who continue to engage in scholarship and service that advance our University and contribute to our society.

I look forward to working with all of you as we continue to pursue our greatest aspirations for the University of Miami’s new century.

Sincerely,