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February 2004 Meeting of the Corporation
Corporation approves historic 15-year Plan for Academic Enrichment
The Plan for Academic Enrichment, approved by the Brown Corporation at its
regular meeting Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004, outlines more than a decade of
investments in Brown’s faculty, academic programs, core academic
facilities, environment for student living, and the physical campus – a
program that could transform the University. (See related releases.)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — At their regular winter
meeting today (Saturday, Feb. 28, 2004), the trustees and fellows of the
Corporation of Brown University unanimously approved a new Plan for Academic
Enrichment that will substantially enhance, increase and in some cases transform
the University’s academic program and core facilities during the next 10
to 15 years and beyond.
“Two years ago, the Corporation gave its unanimous
endorsement to an early set of enrichment initiatives and requested that the
administration continue its work and develop a more detailed and comprehensive
plan,” said Brown Chancellor Stephen Robert. “The Plan for Academic
Enrichment, which we approved today, is substantial – every bit as bold
and ambitious as we had hoped it would be. It will guide Brown through nearly
two decades of investments that will sustain and enhance an already great
institution.”
The plan outlines a period of focused growth and investment that
will affect every area of the University:
- Continued expansion of the Brown faculty. A 20-percent increase in
faculty (100 additional positions), endorsed by the Corporation two years ago,
is under way. The Corporation has approved an annual faculty increase of as many
as 13 additional positions after the original 100 positions are in place.
- Growth of multidisciplinary initiatives and partnerships. Brown has
already concluded institutional partnerships with Trinity Repertory Co. and the
Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole. Brown also has established the
Humanities Center, the Center for Environmental Change, the Center for Spatial
Structures in the Social Sciences, the Center for Computational Molecular
Biology, and the Center for Genetics, Genomics and Proteomics. Additional centers may be developed.
- Enhanced capabilities in medical education and biological sciences:
Brown and its affiliated hospitals will work more closely to enhance strategic planning capacity and improve clinical medical education, research and overall Medical School facilities. A new pilot project will open admission to graduates of standard pre-med undergraduate programs.
- Expanded support for the Public Health Program: Substantial increases
in tenure-track faculty and faculty within the Department of Community Health
will allow the graduate student body in the Public Health Program to double
within five years. The Corporation authorized the administration to develop a
plan that would consolidate the now dispersed entities of the Public Health Program in a
150,000-square-foot facility.
- Significant new enhancements for community life. A task force of
faculty, students, staff and administrators has conducted broad-based and wide
ranging discussions with members of the campus community about residence halls,
dining facilities, health and fitness facilities, housing options and a possible
new campus center. An analysis of current facilities and needs has been
performed by planning consultants Venturi, Scott Brown & Associates, and
various alternatives are being considered. The Corporation authorized planning
to proceed for a major renovation of the Sharpe Refectory, the development of
new fitness facilities, and the analysis of alternative sites for a campus
center.
- A significant increase in laboratory facilities and other academic
spaces. Two major research facilities already under way will add 270,000
square feet of research space by spring 2006. Another 250,000 square feet will
be required just to accommodate faculty expansion over the next 15 to 20
years.
- A larger and more diverse revenue stream to support the
University.
Editors: A summary of
the Plan for Academic Enrichment is available from the News Service.
Some of the work outlined in the plan has been under way since
the Corporation endorsed the earlier initiatives in 2002:
- Need-blind admission began with the next full admission cycle. Brown will
admit its second need-blind class this fall;
- Faculty compensation and academic support have been enhanced;
- Fourteen new faculty positions have been authorized and filled, and searches
are planned or underway for 51 more during the next three years;
- Brown offered 138 new courses in the 2003-04 academic year, including 51
seminars designed for freshmen;
- The Graduate School recently moved into newly renovated quarters, and
graduate students have received improved health insurance and financial
support;
- The University has increased its presence in the Providence Jewelry
District, including the purchase and renovation of a former factory to serve as
a major new laboratory;
- A new Office of the Vice President for Research has overall responsibility
for administering the University’s research enterprise. A reorganized
office for partnerships will facilitate technology transfer and research
partnerships with industry.
“Brown University is an extraordinary institution with
unique academic strengths,” said Brown President Ruth J. Simmons.
“The Plan for Academic Enrichment will not change the character or
traditions of the University; it will build on Brown’s strengths to ensure
continued growth and vigor well into the future.”
Resource implications
The Corporation considered resource implications of the plan,
both for incremental budget growth and for longer-term capital projects. The
budget for fiscal year 2005, which the Corporation approved, will include nearly
$55 million in expenditures directly related to the Plan for Academic
Enrichment. That figure includes budgeted support for Academic Enrichment
proposals that has been added since fiscal year 2003. The cumulative figure for
incremental additions to the budget could top $115 million early in the next
decade.
The Corporation also approved an investment of up to $56 million
from reserves and other unrestricted funds to support the initial phases of
the Plan for Academic Enrichment over the next six years. Revenue growth as a
result of a major fund-raising campaign, together with other steps outlined in
the plan, will allow the University to eliminate the need for such special funding after the six-year period.
Some of the capital projects are already under way. The
University already has arranged funding for nearly $230 million in new
buildings, space renovation and infrastructure improvements. The Life Sciences
Building currently under construction on Meeting Street and the purchase and
conversion of a former factory in the Jewelry District of Providence into
additional laboratory space are the largest parts of that program.
Beyond those current projects, the Plan for Academic Enrichment
outlines another $335 million in capital projects by the middle of the next
decade. Those projects could include 150,000 square feet for faculty and
academic programs, major new research space for the Program in Public Health, a
new campus center, a fitness and wellness center, new parking facilities, and renovation of dining halls,
residential units and other campus facilities.
The Corporation also considered a number of reports at its
meeting and took the following actions:
- Set total undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2004-05 academic year at
$39,808 and set other revenue parameters (see news release 03-084).
- Approved three senior faculty appointments and four other appointments to
named chairs (see release 03-083).
- Accepted seven major gifts, including establishment of six Royce Family Professorships in Teaching Excellence (see release 03-085).
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