June 22, 2007 — The Commission on the Future of the University has issued its preliminary reports and is inviting comments from all members of the university community.

In an e-mail to the university community on June 22, President John T. Casteen III outlined the process that has led to the reports and encouraged participation in the commission’s work.

Casteen said that the committees will use comments received through the commission’s Web site when revising the preliminary reports and will then post revised reports in November for a second round of comments.

The planning group is intended “to describe directions for the University for the next decade and beyond.”

Dr. Arthur “Tim” Garson Jr., dean of the medical school who will become provost this summer, and Leonard Sandridge, executive vice president and chief operating officer, are co-chairing the commission, which includes vice presidents, deans, faculty members, classified and university staff and students. The commission has four committees to focus on specific areas: Schools and Medical Center; Programmatic Initiatives; Faculty and Student Life; and Funding and Other Resources.