If autumn is "the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness", winter - and especially December - could be described as the season of "lists and callow youthfulness". Callow youthfulness may have to wait until the end of semester but lists are certainly in season. Our original set of strategic objectives has spawned a series of more tightly defined action plans that will move the University forward over the next few years. And staff across the University have been generous with their ideas and their investment of time in new initiatives.
It is now exactly three months since your vision for the future of the University - Towards 2007 was first presented in open session at the Gardyne Road campus. At that time we set 12 key objectives with many short deadlines for December 2003.
Time has, like even the best Christmas lights, passed in a flash. We have now almost completed the university's first semester and those deadlines will soon be upon us. How are we faring? Thanks to a great deal of work by a great number of staff I am pleased to say much has been achieved. We are on target to deliver real progress for Christmas.
The first draft of your new forward looking admissions policy is now circulating with detailed thinking on improving our responsiveness to students and developing new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The new human resources strategy has been seen by the deans and will be presented to Court this month and a masterplan for the estates - the scene of enormous activity - is shaping up well witha number of major schemes already underway. Faculty plans are being pursued, integrated and effected. All of this is happening in a coherent way as part of the overall game plan to secure the continuing long term success of the university to 2007 and beyond.
The thought, planning and action underpinning all this development has taken a great deal of work by a great number of staff. To them, and to all of you who have given your feedback, thought and support to the process of change I would like to say a genuine and profound thank you.
There is a Japanese proverb: One kind word can warm three winter months. I hope you all encounter many kind words over Christmas - both given and received - and that you will return refreshed and reinvigorated to drive the university through 2004 in better shape than ever. My very best wishes go to all staff and students.
Alan Langlands
December 2003