AREAS OF EMPHASIS

These archived pages present the Academic Plan adopted by the Board of Trustees in August 2003.

A new academic plan is being formulated. Please check the Academic Plan homepage for updates.

INTRODUCTION

The University of Connecticut’s primary missions are the discovery of new knowledge and the education of students. As is appropriate for a leading university, the basic and applied research activities of the faculty contribute importantly to the discovery of knowledge in a wide range of areas. Theoretical and practical advances in the fine arts, the humanities, and the natural and social sciences contribute to all great universities as does the diversity of its population, the welcoming environment of the institution, and its classroom culture. In addition, the University of Connecticut provides education in the highest sense, so that critical thinking and the questioning of assumptions leads students to the ongoing process of learning and discovery. Nested within this fundamental pedagogical mission is the additional requirement to supply training for specific careers and professions. As a public land-grant university, we also have the responsibility to provide continuing education and service to multiple constituencies in Connecticut. In order to better focus the activities of the University, the Academic Planning Task Force (APTF) proposes six Areas of Emphasis for the concentration of University resources so as to achieve excellence and recognition in Connecticut, national, and international arenas.

The Areas of Emphasis are intentionally inclusive for several reasons. First, we are planning for an institution where the human and physical assets are largely fixed for the next decade or so. Any plan should exploit the resources we currently possess. Second, consistent with the University’s mission statement, we plan to identify our aspirations by establishing specific benchmarks. Third, we stress those areas where the University of Connecticut enjoys competitive advantages, including an existing critical mass of faculty, good facilities, and a favorable local environment (geographic, economic, social, and cultural) and a commitment to diversity. Fourth, we have considered our role as a Land/Sea Grant institution and the duties the state assigns to serve the social, economic, and cultural needs of the people of Connecticut. In addition, we have identified significant future areas of academic inquiry, with special attention to those that promise external funding. If an existing program is less central to University missions, it must demonstrate excellence in order to compete for University resources.

The APTF identifies six broad areas of concentration (listed alphabetically, not according to priority) to encourage all colleges, schools, departments, programs, centers, and institutes to focus their efforts to achieve measurable advances. We have avoided naming such units individually so far as possible. Excellence within disciplines is essential; however, the Areas of Emphasis are intended to encourage multidisciplinary collaborations as faculty with different sub-specialties join together to develop research proposals aimed at, for example, NEH, NIH, and NSF. We specifically identify certain components of “Undergraduate Enrichment” as an Area of Emphasis, without parallel attention to graduate programs, because the other Areas of Emphasis are research oriented, and implicitly incorporate graduate education. Similarly, the University has a firm commitment to diversity and to lifelong learning and outreach, but these are not separately identified as “Areas of Emphasis,” since they are an integral part of all activities.

Finally, we are eager to demonstrate that—diverse and multifarious as academic activities are—they will be more clearly focused than at present, and more in alignment with public priorities. We want everyone to understand that University of Connecticut scholarship and teaching contribute to longer, better lives for people here and everywhere, and to a more just, creative, rewarding, and achieving society.

ARTS, CULTURE AND SOCIETY FROM A LOCAL TO GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

This category emphasizes exploration of past and present human activities and cultural achievements in the context of contemporary global society. The fundamental thought embedded in the category recognizes that the contemporary world is complex and inter-related; circumstances even at local levels have global implications, just as global changes affect localities and individuals. The area recognizes existing strengths at the University of Connecticut in a number of disciplines and the need to enhance specific areas related to our strategic plan for diversity. This Area of Emphasis encourages collaborations within and among programs so as to raise the academic profile of the University, and to enhance understanding of the diverse peoples and cultures of the United States and the world.

Many areas of inquiry are naturally included within this heading: communications, both linguistic and technological; the development of thought and communication processes; globalization and multicultural perspectives on the globalization phenomenon; human rights; assimilation and diversity within the U.S. and globally; the histories and current operations of political, economic, and social structures and practices around the globe and in the U.S.; and the multilayered interactions, from local to global, of human experience. Because artistic expression in all its forms is so thoroughly interwoven in society, and so often influential, it is central to this Area of Emphasis.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

As world population increases and natural resources are consumed, sustaining the environment for all species arouses increasing concern. We are poised to build on our strengths in this area to achieve greater national and international recognition. This Area of Emphasis is closely linked to Life Sciences and to Scientific Innovations and Technology, as well as to Health and Human Services, for external research funding.

Environmental Sustainability covers a wide variety of subjects, including biodiversity, ecology, environmental change, urban and land use planning, population growth issues, energy generation and management, water resources, climate and weather, transportation, and the politics and culture of environmental consciousness.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE SYSTEMS

This category recognizes the strengths and large investment that the University has in the areas of health and human services, and their importance for addressing acute and fundamental social needs. It encourages broad civic engagement and interaction, including service learning. This area will emphasize a systemic approach to addressing social issues, in recognition of the inter-relatedness and interdependence of various health and social services activities. As is the focus of many University of Connecticut programs, this area is of great importance to the people of Connecticut. It lends itself to grants and contracts. Further, in the areas of public health, and health care systems, and insurance, collaborations with programs at the University of Connecticut Health Center can be expanded.

This area includes insurance and access needs, K-12 educational enhancements, interventions to encourage healthful and socially appropriate human development and behaviors, health and social policy, the development of efficient health care systems that include the needs of people with disabilities, and the directive to address diversity through these foci.

INNOVATIONS IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

The University of Connecticut has been emphasizing scientific innovations and technology for decades. Through a practice of hiring and encouraging activity in science and engineering fields associated with this area, and through external grants, the University of Connecticut already has basic research strength in the disciplines of biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics, as well as in engineering and technology. In the long run as well as in the near term, scientific innovations and technology promote the public good through economic development, especially of the state and region, and are particularly appropriate for the University in its role as the state’s Land/Sea institution. There is great potential for future development, including evolving synergies with the University of Connecticut Health Center, and with all the Areas of Emphasis.

It should be noted that both basic and applied research in the natural sciences and mathematics are encompassed in this area. High performance computing and information systems are evolving technologies for which there is a vigorous international competition and industrial and social demand. Particularly significant are new approaches such as computer modeling, informatics, quantum computing, and laser telecommunications. Nanotechnology, imaging, and visualization are key in a number of existing areas of inquiry that promise future funding. The multiple topics associated with the emerging area of security will create significant demand for scientific innovations and technology. The University of Connecticut already has strength in the area of pharmaceutics research, both theoretical and applied, and there are significant funding opportunities in this area.

LIFE SCIENCES

This category, which is linked to Environmental Sustainability, Health and Human Service Systems, and Scientific Innovations and Technology, is widely recognized as an area of exceptional importance in this century. The University of Connecticut possesses unique strengths in several of the disciplines associated with the life sciences, which are complemented by strengths in the physical and psychological sciences. We possess the opportunity to build on these strengths to make the University of Connecticut a nationally recognized leader in this area. The various biologically-oriented departments and centers have established records of obtaining funding and recognition. They are complemented by basic and applied research in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and engineering. Synergies with Health Center research will be augmented.

New subjects of inquiry are constantly emerging. Research in this area currently focuses on molecular and cellular processes (including genomics, proteomics, structural biology, and regenerative biology), ecological processes, neuroscience and behavior, cognition, biodiversity, and evolutionary biology. University of Connecticut scientists investigate these questions using both a wide array of organisms and environments (terrestrial, freshwater, and marine). All areas of the life sciences have the potential for additional funding.

UNDERGRADUATE ENRICHMENT

This Area of Emphasis reinforces the University Strategic Plan's goal of improving undergraduate education and enhancing a diverse climate. The caliber of our entering classes is rising each year, as indicated by such measures as SAT scores and class rank, and our number of applicants continues to rise. We seek to further these trends by providing an intellectually stimulating and multifaceted experience for our undergraduates while enhancing the diversity of our student population.

Academic studies are the focus of our undergraduate experience so we aim to increase opportunities in undergraduate research, in experiential learning such as internships and service learning, and in guidance in the transition to careers. Academic advising will be structured to provide intellectual and career mentoring in addition to course registration advice. Retention is essential to our success. The Honors Program requires resources commensurate with its mission for providing challenging courses and activities for honor students and for piloting academic innovations that can be expanded to include all undergraduates. Library and information technology resources will be up-to-date and user-friendly. Diversity will be emphasized in accordance with the University's Diversity Plan, not only in the composition of the student body, faculty, and staff, but also in courses, research, and experiential learning that prepare undergraduates for a multicultural and globalized work environment. Instructional excellence should be fostered in faculty merit and promotion decisions, and through the promotion of high quality instruction, student-centered learning, and new pedagogical techniques, often involving technology.

An improved environment for academic achievement involves not only the faculty and coursework, but also the active efforts of the Student Affairs staff to maintain and enhance an atmosphere conducive to intellectual exploration and achievement in the residence halls and in student activities as well as an environment welcoming all students. Faculty and Student Affairs will participate in each other’s efforts to enhance the academic experience and atmosphere.

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