Dear campus community,
Last fall, we launched a strategic planning process to define Berkeley's vision for the future and chart the path to our next era of excellence. Today, I want to update you on where we are and invite you to help shape what comes next.
A Three-Part Approach to Building our Strategy
Over recent months, we held listening sessions with faculty, academic and administrative leaders, students, alumni, our Board of Visitors, and our Board of Trustees. What emerged is a three-part approach:
First, we're addressing immediate priorities in what we're calling "First Things First" — foundational areas vital to our collective success:
- Increasing Accessibility and Disability Services to Support the Academic Programs of Faculty, Staff, and Students
- Renewing key physical spaces and facilities
- Improving senate faculty merit and promotion review timelines
- Improving the research administration ecosystem
The second part is units developing their own strategic vision for the next 5+ years, reflecting their unique priorities, strengths, and aspirations.
For the third part, we're identifying campus-level strategic initiatives where Berkeley's distinctive strengths can have the greatest impact.
We Need Your Ideas
We've identified seven strategic opportunity categories that emerged from our listening sessions. Now we need your thinking to bring them to life. What are the bold ideas that make the most of Berkeley's distinctive strengths? What initiatives would make someone say, "This is just right for Berkeley”?
Now I need to point out that strategy is also about deciding what not to do, or what to do less of. What should Berkeley scale back on so we can focus more on what matters most?
Visit strategicplan.berkeley.eduto learn about the three ways to contribute:
- Submit your ideas on our new website
- Join a virtual focus group
- Attend an in-person focus group
When our community works together with shared purpose and values, there are no limits to what we can achieve. A new, even more remarkable era of excellence is within our reach.
I’m looking forward to working together to build the strongest possible future for our Berkeley.
Fiat Lux,
Richard K. Lyons
Chancellor