INTRODUCTORY
COMMENTS FROM
THE
VICE-PRESIDENT (ACADEMIC)
Thank you to AUFA for the opportunity to share a few introductory comments with you. For those of you I haven’t met, my name is Ralph Nilson, and I am the new Vice-President Academic at Acadia University. I am honored to join a university with such a proud tradition, an exceptional group of faculty, and with many opportunities for growth in the future.
My transition to Acadia has been a smooth one, thanks to the warm greetings and support I have received from faculty, students, staff and the extended Acadia community. My spouse Suzie is still in Saskatchewan, but she will be joining me at Christmas, and our family looks forward to being part of this community. While I have been very busy since coming to Acadia, I have managed to get involved in some recreational activities. I have found a number of good spots for fishing in the Valley and know there are many more. If you have a good location you are willing to share the directions to, please let me know.
As a professor and academic administrator for over 20 years, I understand many of the various pressures facing faculty in teaching, research, student support and service to the community while maintaining personal and professional relationships. However, I am new to the culture at Acadia, and while I have met with many of you, I will continue to meet with different groups and individuals to get a better sense of the unique opportunities and challenges each of you face individually and collectively.
As many of you know, the President has announced the beginning of an ambitious strategic planning process for Acadia. The core of the planning exercise will be the academic strategy which must be built on the core strength of Acadia, its faculty. This planning will include an extensive consultation with the academic community, identification of themes and priorities, development of a set of recommendations and a clear plan for implementation. I have been leading introductory discussions about this planning process at many different venues in the past month including Senate, a General Faculty meeting, Faculty Councils, departmental meetings, an Acadia Student Council meeting, a staff gathering, and others. The Acadia community will continue to be updated on the progress in this planning exercise through meeting presentations, the website and other means. The success of this plan is dependant on active and meaningful involvement by faculty. I look forward with anticipation to your participation. I encourage you to send me comments or suggestions concerning planning at any time.
Based on input already received from faculty and staff, we have initiated several projects that will support academic planning. This includes the following:
1. A review of internationalization at Acadia in an effort to form a more coordinated approach to these many activities and initiatives.
2. The Learning Commons is continuing to evolve and in the Writing Centre we have recently hired Dr. Stephen Ahern as Coordinator. Stephen is a member of faculty who will support members of the Acadia community in writing and rhetoric.
3. A committee called Collaborative Student Involvement (CSI) is working on moving timelines for admissions and registration forward to enhance academic planning. This committee is focusing its attention initially on reviewing the decisions related to student recruitment, admissions, scholarships, housing, and registration.
4. The multitude of IT plans for Acadia developed over the past six years are also being reviewed for implementation especially as related to administrative systems and support.
5. Acadia’s Institutional Research Plan must also be reviewed and updated this year.
In my short time here, I recognize that the core strength of Acadia University is the people who dedicate themselves to this community. Faculty work hard and commit themselves to creating a special learning environment for students while actively engaging in their research and scholarship. Through faculty and with support from Department Heads, Directors, and Deans Acadia University will continue to invest in a community where faculty can excel and high- quality students benefit from the dynamic learning opportunities available. Essential to this outcome is faculty exercising their right and responsibility to actively engage in the planning process.
I am excited about the opportunity of meeting and working with all members of faculty. I have met with the AUFA executive, and agree with them that by developing strong and open relationships based on mutual trust and respect we will foster an active and engaged academic community.
What has most impressed me about Acadia is the number and range of initiatives already taking place. Acadia is simply an exciting place to be, and the University is building from a position of strength. I ask for your help in joining with me to invest in the future. I look forward to serving the University community in the role of Vice President Academic.
Ralph Nilson
Vice-President (Academic)