Trustees Endorse Strategic Principles to Guide UK’s Future
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 26, 2013) – The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees Saturday strongly endorsed guiding principles for strategic plans that aim to guide the institution’s academic and physical development.
“We have tremendous momentum as an institution. You can see it in the more than $600 million in construction revitalization underway on our campus. You can see it in the incredible quality of students and in the accomplishments of our faculty and staff, whose teaching and research is changing our state,” said UK President Eli Capilouto. “But momentum is fragile. We must plan now ― strategically, intentionally and collaboratively ― for what we aspire to be in the future.”
To that end, after a day-and-a-half long retreat in Lexington, the UK Board adopted guiding principles for two plans: the university’s academic strategic plan for 2014-2020, “see tomorrow. A Strategic Plan for the University of Kentucky,” and a master plan that will help guide infrastructure and campus development for decades.
The principles adopted for the strategic plan, which is being led by Provost Christine Riordan and will be developed between now and June, include:
- Creating a vibrant undergraduate learning community
- Advancing a high quality graduate and professional education portfolio
- Cultivating a robust research environment
- Developing a strong and sustainable UK infrastructure
- Creating a positive work environment for faculty and staff
- Having a meaningful impact on Kentucky and the community
Principles for the master plan, which has been under development for a little more than a year, include:
- Academic environment: creating a 21st century learning environment that supports the needs of today’s students
- Campus life: enhancing the student life experience
- Community: forging partnerships that strengthen neighborhoods and downtown
- Growth: establishing a long-term plan for growth consistent with UK’s mission
- Mobility: facilitating safer and more efficient mobility
- Landscape structure: establishing legible open space and landscaping that improves campus quality
- Sustainability: integrating sustainability in every aspect of planning
The master plan principles were adopted Saturday after trustees toured the campus late Friday. Trustees were able to see hundreds of millions of dollars in construction underway, but also challenges that continue with other facilities and traffic and mobility concerns.
“It was unbelievable for us as a board this weekend to tour our campus again and see firsthand the progress we are making in revitalizing the academic core,” said Britt Brockman, chairman of the UK Board of Trustees. “Now, we must focus even more intently on continuing to support and enhance our academic and research enterprise to help our students and our state reach their potential. All the pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together.”
In other action, The University of Kentucky Board of Trustees Saturday approved the awarding of two honorary doctorates.
The recipients are:
• Wilbert W. (Wil) James Jr., president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, a role he has served in since 2010. James earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology from Old Dominion University. He has worked for Toyota for 19 years.
• Michael T. Nietzel, who worked at UK for 32 years in a number of pivotal positions, including provost. Nietzel later served as president of Missouri State University and, most recently, as a senior adviser to the Governor of Missouri.
These recipients were approved by the University Senate before going to the board for consideration.
James, Nietzel and Deborah Hersman, acting chair of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board who oversaw the crash investigation of Comair Flight 5191 in Lexington in 2006, will receive honorary doctorates during UK's December Commencement ceremony. Hersman's honorary doctorate was approved by the University Senate and Board of Trustees earlier this year.