To the editor:
We would like to make the community aware of the opportunities to get involved with the Task Force on the Undergraduate Experience. Over the next year and a half, the Task Force is responsible for developing a set of recommendations to improve the distinctive nature of a Tufts education. To best accomplish this work, the task force itself is limited in size so as to optimize its productivity and logistical feasibility. However, the president's charge to the task force emphasizes that the success of this initiative requires that the task force build "a broad-based coalition in support of its recommendations." As such, the task force is committed to gather input from as many members of the Tufts community as are willing to get involved. Through outreach, we hope to learn the full range of views of our diverse community and to incorporate these perspectives into our recommendations.
Recently, the three student members of the Task Force assembled a Student Advisory Committee comprised of themselves and 13 other undergraduates. In keeping with the Task Force's emphasis on outreach, the Student Advisory Committee will work hard to involve as many student sectors on campus as possible, starting with all those students who have expressed a willingness to commit time to the group. The committee will incorporate such student input when it makes its recommendations to the full Task Force.
Meanwhile, the Task Force began its outreach process with a meeting with the TCU Senate last Sunday. Task Force members who attended the meeting were impressed with the Senate's interest in and commitment to issues of curriculum and student life, and this meeting was a valuable first step in community outreach. The Task Force will continue to meet with various faculty, student, administrative, and staff groups over the next few months. Throughout the entire process, we would like gather opinions from across the University and we will keep the community informed about our progress. Regular updates of our meeting summary and activities can be found at our website: http://www.tufts.edu/president/ugtaskforce.
President Larry Bacow's charge to the Task Force has asked us to look at three areas - the curriculum, residential life, and the way in which each class year contributes to the unique experience of a Tufts education. We strongly encourage anyone with a suggestion or concern about any of these areas to e-mail us at UGTaskforce@tufts.edu or stop by our office in 705 Dowling Hall. Additionally, please contact us if you are a member of a group that would like to schedule a focus group meeting moderated by the Task Force to discuss the points in our charge.
James Blockwood '04, student Task Force member
Charline Han '04, student Task Force member,
Kristine Dillon, Dean of Academic Services and Student Affairs, Task Force Co-Chair
Charles Inouye, Dean of the Colleges, Task Force Co-Chair
Gilbert Metcalf, Professor of Economics and Chair of the Task Force
