The University of Virginia has been under a microscope since the forced resignation and later reinstatement of President Teresa Sullivan. Two new committees, formed after this summer's events, met for the first time on Friday.
Their goal is to come up with a plan for how the university should move forward, including how it is governed. Throughout the day, words like "excitement" and "enthusiasm" from board members made it clear, they are ready to move forward and not look back.
"It will help define the future of the institution and I think people can get energized and enthusiastic about that kind of a process," said Linwood Rose, UVA Board of Visitors member and co-chair of the strategic planning committee.
Friday's UVA Board of Visitors meetings made it evident that members are focused on doing what's best for the university, after what some would call a tumultuous summer. The newly-formed special committee on strategic planning had its first conversation about creating a five-year plan to move UVA forward.
"The university is in the process of hiring a consultant to help with an institutional assessment, and we'll move from an institutional assessment to really looking at the future and how the institution will respond to the challenges of the future," Rose said.
Board members will take most of the year to create a draft report to submit between May and June of next year. During her remarks, Sullivan said the plan will focus on the university as a whole and should be a collaborative and interactive process.
UVA Vice Rector George Martin said, "I think everybody is on board in terms of the need for this plan, and I think everybody is going to put an oar in the water and do their part to not only get the plan developed, but to also implement that."
During the five-year period, the planning office would implement the plan, monitor it and identify areas for modification. Rose says he can't speak for other members, but feels as though the board is ready to leave the past behind.
"We've got a wonderful institution here and what we want to do is make sure it's positioned well for the future," said Rose.
The governance and engagement committee met in a closed session, but it also looked at some best practices to move the university forward.
