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October 17, 2011

  • On April 2-5, 2012, the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities (SACS) site team will visit Texas A&M.  Provost Karan Watson informs us that it is important for faculty to be knowledgeable of SACS accreditation. To supplement other informational sessions, Dr. Pam Matthews, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, will prepare a white paper briefing the most pertinent information for faculty, staff, and students.  Dr. Matthews attended the Deans & Department Heads meeting this past week to update the CVM leadership team about the preparation process for SACS accreditation and, more specifically, the required Quality Enhancement Plan titled "Aggies Commit." According to the SACS Accreditation Handbook for Review Teams, "many aspects of the accreditation process focus on the past and the present, the QEP is 'forward-looking' and thus transforms the process into an ongoing activity rather than an episodic event. Core Requirement 2.12 requires an institution to have a plan for increasing the effectiveness of some aspect of its educational program relating to student learning. The plan launches a process that can move the institution into a future characterized by creative, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences for students. Student learning is defined broadly in the context of the QEP and may address a wide range of topics or issues."  
    • The Aggies Commit document outlines the approach to identifying programs that enhance the learning environment and measuring the success of these programs over time. Some of the areas of focus include undergraduate learning and research, global learning and diversity, learning communities, internships and capstone projects, and writing intensive courses. 
    • As the date for the accreditation review visit nears, we will continue to engage in conversations with university administration and will be providing an updated FAQ in the near future for faculty, staff, and students. Also, Department Heads will be discussing SACS accreditation during upcoming faculty meetings. 
  • As a reminder, Faculty Development Leave applications are due to the Dean's Office by Thursday, October 20th.  For forms and more information, please visit the website http://dof.tamu.edu/node/13. 
  • The Texas A&M Institute for Preclinical Studies is now a part of the CVM.  Several committees, with faculty and staff from both TIPS and the CVM, have been working together to find the best way to merge TIPS into the college. Dr. Terry Fossum, TIPS director, will sit on the Dean's Executive Committee. In addition, final plans for the transition will be presented to the CVM. 
  • Please mark your calendars for the final installment of the World Veterinary Year lecture series. This final event in our year of celebration will feature Dr. Alan Sams, executive associate dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences; Dr. T. Samuel Shomaker, the Jean and Thomas McMullin Dean of Medicine and vice president for Clinical Affairs with the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine; and me. We will examine "One Health Plus -The Future".  

 

Sincerely,
Eleanor M. Green, DVM, DACVIM, DABVP
Carl B. King Dean of Veterinary Medicine
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Texas A&M University
(979) 845-5053