FOSTERING STUDENT EXCELLENCE

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.

PART TWO: GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

As part of its role as a Carnegie Research Extensive University, the University of Connecticut is committed to excellence in graduate and professional education. It is vital that we recruit and retain the best possible students, nationally and internationally, and from diverse populations. Our academic reputation will benefit from graduate and professional programs that will enhance the research, teaching, and career preparation of these excellent students

• Recruitment:
  To attract graduate and professional students of the highest potential, the University of Connecticut should offer a package of stipends, health benefits, and fellowship opportunities that are competitive with those of our aspirational peers. In addition, the components of this package should be identified as early as possible each spring so that departments can recruit and commit students before they accept admission to other institutions. Travel money should be provided to bring prospective students to campus.

• Retention:
  Time to degree:Time for research is as important to excellent graduate students as their financial package. Time to degreeshould be reduced wherever possible, though this time will vary by discipline. Students should have semesters without teaching or with reduced teaching, especially as they near completion of their degree requirements. We should increase the number of fellowships and research assistantships that do not carry teaching responsibilities and find a way that students honored with such fellowships can retain their health benefits .
  
  Travel funding: Student travel to research sites and to conferences is necessary not only for their professional development, but it is also a vital means of augmenting the reputation of the University of Connecticut as a Research Extensive institution. Travel funding, presently at one thousand dollars for the student’s entire graduate career, should be substantially increased. These funds should also be made available to students pursuing a master’s degree, especially where this is the terminal degree, for example, a Master of Fine Arts. Travel money should be provided in advance because most students cannot afford to advance such sums from their living expenses.
  
  Quality of Life: Housing and child care should be available, affordable, and of good quality. Federally subsidized housing for graduate and professional students should be considered. The University of Connecticut should continue to include graduate and professional students in its plan for expanded child care.

Educational Standards for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

The Graduate Faculty Executive Council and a similar umbrella committee for undergraduate students should oversee programmatic reviews of student requirements, education, and supporting environment. The committee should set basic standards that are fine-tuned by fields of study or disciplines.

Professional development should be an essential part of a dynamic student culture that is supported by faculty. Professional development should include professional ethics, diversity training, pedagogy, computer skills, writing skills, and career preparation and transition.

Next: Implementation Planning