Despite agreement that "nothing [is] broken," the Trustees unanimously approved President Larry Bacow's mandate for the Task Force on the Undergraduate Experience this weekend. The task force, which had been operating without a mission statement since its inception earlier this semester, is charged with exploring how the Tufts experience can be "enhanced" in the 21st century.
University Trustees, after meeting with President Bacow and Task Force Chair Gilbert Metcalf, said that they were "enthusiastic" about both the effort and the charge. Bacow also sent an e-mail to students and faculty to advise them of the taskforce and encourage their input. The taskforce is made up of three students, eight faculty members, and a project coordinator.
Bacow charged the force with "evaluating the strengths and weaknesses" of the current curriculum. In addition, members will study the residential and extra-curricular life at Tufts, examine how to improve the overall undergraduate experience, and identify what resources are necessary to make the changes recommended.
"President Bacow has given a great deal of attention to the charge. I think the Task Force can be most effective with a sharply defined charge," Metcalf said.
In his letter to students, Bacow said that while Tufts is one of the most selective universities in the nation, it must continually improve.
"That is why one of my first major acts as President is to create a Task Force on the Undergraduate Experience at Tufts," he wrote. "I care deeply about the continued growth of Tufts - and I believe the outcomes of this initiative are vital to our future."
"The mandate gave us confidence in knowing that we had support behind us and that the resources are going to be available," sophomore taskforce member Charlene Han said. "It's a huge honor to be a part of this group."
An e-mail address, ugtaskforce@tufts.edu, has been set up for any member of the community to submit ideas and suggestions. In addition, applications are being accepted for a Student Advisory Committee. The committee will be a representative sample of Tufts students whose feedback will help direct the group.
The committee is to be comprised of a "broad and diverse" range of students, because the Task Force wants to ensure selected students are from diverse segments of the community, not just the "vocal minority," according to the taskforce's website (studentservices.tufts.edu/ugtaskforce).
The taskforce will report directly to the President and members expect to have a complete set of recommendations ready by June 2003.
