Integrating Themes In Courses and International Academic Symposia

As you know, the University's Board of Governors approved the University-wide Strategic Plan at its meeting in early February, and now we are engaged in the exciting work of implementing the Plan's various component parts. President Robert L. Barchi has announced a bold series of actions and initiatives for the first 100 Days of the Strategic Plan (http://president.rutgers.edu/public-remarks/letters/initiatives-first-100-days-strategic-plan), one of which invites proposals from the University community for University-wide general education courses and international academic symposia around the Plan's five Integrating Academic Themes:

• Cultures, Diversity, and Inequality  –  Local and Global
• Improving Health and Wellness of Individuals and Populations
• Creating a Sustainable World through Innovation, Engineering, and Technology
• Educating Involved Citizens and Effective Leaders for a Dynamic World
• Creative Expression and the Human Experience

Accordingly, I am pleased to issue the formal Request for Proposals (RFPs) for the INTEGRATING THEMES COURSES and the INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC SYMPOSIA.

PROPOSALS FOR COURSES ON THE INTEGRATING THEMES

We welcome proposals for University-wide, general education courses in any of the Integrating Themes listed above that will have broad impact and applicability for our first- and second-year students. Where possible, the courses should incorporate technology to enable the faculty to reach across our campuses, as well as to collaborate with colleagues and students.  Those who submit successful proposals will be provided with support for faculty release time for course development, plus additional resources for related expenses and to develop the technologies that will allow each course to be made available across the University. Proposals from groups of faculty bridging disciplines, departments, decanal units, and campuses are strongly encouraged.

PROPOSALS FOR INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC SYMPOSIA ON THE INTEGRATING THEMES

We also welcome proposals for high-level international academic symposia on each of the five Integrating Themes listed above. The symposia might, for instance, address global concerns, include significant participation by international scholars, or strengthen international partnerships and collaborations.  They should highlight our interdisciplinary scholarship, bridge our campuses and schools, and integrate the many areas of excellence we have at Rutgers. Ideally, we would like the first of the symposia to take place within the next twelve months, and to have the involvement of our New Brunswick, Newark, and Camden locations as well as RBHS. Proposals should represent multiple schools and disciplines, with priority being given to those that integrate across our community, enhance our visibility, and stimulate new collaborative efforts. Funding will be provided for both the conceptual development and the implementation of each symposium. While the symposia will be primarily faculty-driven, we also welcome proposals that include student, staff, and alumni involvement. Symposia proposals that also include Integrating Theme course proposals and/or mechanisms to link the symposia with recruitment of Henry Rutgers University Professors or Henry Rutgers Term Chairs are especially welcome.

SUBMISSION TEMPLATES AND DEADLINES:

Please use the templates available at this link (rutgers.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6lNesy01hyB4H7D) for proposal submission for both the COURSES ON THE INTEGRATING THEMES and the INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC SYMPOSIA ON THE INTEGRATING THEMES. Proposals will be vetted by committees of faculty broadly representative of our community.  The various proposal deadlines are indicated on the appropriate template.

Thank you for your active involvement in the implementation of the University's Strategic Plan.

DATE: March 7, 2014