Dear University of Vermont Faculty, Staff and Students:

I am writing to provide additional and clarifying information regarding the Academic Reorganization Working Group.

There have been several questions about the relationship between the Working Group and the Subgroups. To clarify, all members of the Working Group and Subgroups are part of the overall reorganization effort and each group has an important voice and role in the process. The membership of the Working Group, however, does not include the full membership of the Subgroups.

We are using the Subgroup framework to facilitate the accomplishment of our work in a timely fashion, and to keep the Working Group at a manageable and effective size. This structure emerged as a consequence of extensive conversations with Faculty Senate leadership, and reflects an approach that has proven effective for other initiatives that have demanded the development of comprehensive, multidimensional plans drawing on diverse perspectives, experiences, and areas of expertise.

There was also an error in the original memo. J. Dickinson was listed as the Co-Chair of the Internal Alignment Subgroup, but we failed to identify the group’s other Co-chair, Professor Alan Maynard, who will also serve as the Subgroup’s representative on the Working Group.

In the interest of having a faculty member from the College of Education and Social Services on the Working Group, Professor Jay Garvey has been added to the Working Group. I am pleased that Professor Garvey has agreed to serve in this capacity.

Additionally, I want to remind all campus constituencies, including students, staff, and faculty, that there will be multiple opportunities to provide input. The Working Group and Subgroups will be reaching out to engage in conversations, and get your feedback and input throughout the spring semester.

Thank you for your engagement in what continues to be a collaborative process.