May 20, 1998 Contact Maureen Shine (541) 346-3145 EDITOR'S NOTE: Copies of UO President Dave Frohnmayer's report "The University of Oregon in the 21st Century: Reaching Higher--Reaching Out" are available on request, as well as from the UO home page at <http://www.uoregon.edu>. Additional Process for Change reports are available at the Administration button on the UO home page. EUGENE--University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer today (May 20) outlined a sweeping set of new initiatives designed to guide the UO into the next century. Frohnmayer presented the proposals included in his report, "The University of Oregon in the 21st Century: Reaching Higher--Reaching Out," at a special meeting of the University Assembly. The report follows the year-long Process for Change project in which Solution Teams, comprised of faculty, staff and students, addressed ways to create a new, more flexible and student-centered model of education at the UO. "As we look toward the 21st century, we recognize a new series of challenges which call the university to higher accomplishment, to renewed commitment to our core educational mission and to service to the state, and to the continuous improvement of the university in all of its aspects," Frohnmayer said. "Although much work remains to be done to turn these ideas into new achievements for the university, we are committed as a community to succeed in these achievements." Central to Frohnmayer's report is a plan to transform the way the UO delivers general education to undergraduates. The plan focuses on a more integrated, coherent experience in the first two years that will provide a closer connection to faculty through selected small classes, mentoring and advising and a more flexible academic calendar. The reform plan also would evaluate students' progress with measurable achievement standards for such competencies as problem solving, oral and written communication, analytical skills, teamwork, critical thinking and computer skills. Key points introduced by Frohnmayer, which will frame campus discussion and implementation in the coming months, are: Transformation of general education--from teaching to learning to proficiency New flexibility in the upper division and majors--from proficiencies to applications to understanding Excellence in graduate studies and research--from understanding to new applications and new knowledge Expansion of "extended studies"--lifelong learning, where and when it is needed Achievement of a true learning community--for students, faculty and staff Outreach--maintaining connections and providing service to all of our constituents Cross-cutting issues--critical to our core mission: advising, recruitment and retention, diversity, technology, financing access, and professional development "Instant" opportunities--short-term, immediate impact ideas "Many of the details will need to be developed by Implementation Teams, beginning as soon as possible," Frohnmayer said. "Actual implementation, some of which can begin this fall, will take several years to realize fully and will be dependent not only on the good ideas and commitment of our faculty and staff, but also on resources." The broad participation in the Process for Change, said Frohnmayer, is a strong indication of the commitment of the UO community to excellence in education and in service to Oregon. The Process for Change project dovetails with the Oregon University System's efforts aimed at making the state system of higher education more responsive to the needs of students and the state. Late last year, a Governor's Task Force on Higher Education and the Economy recommended significant changes in both the governance and the finance of higher education, which the governor strongly endorsed. The governor directed the State Board of Higher Education to develop a plan to implement these recommendations, which it is in the process of doing. -30- #O-4098/Local,OrDailies,PDX,Special