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Dear Faculty, Staff and Students:
It is with great pride
that I share with you last week's oral report of the NEASC visiting team, which
will be followed by a written report in the next several months.
The team was exceedingly
impressed with the college and what they described as "a rare unanimity of
purpose" among all members of the Smith community. They highlighted Smith's "very
strong planning and evaluation" functions as well as "exemplary use of
research and data at all levels." They noted a "sea change" in
student life from a decade ago, expressing admiration for the ways in which house
governance and residence life innovations have been successfully incorporated into
the student experience. They singled out the college's commitment to diversity
for particular commendation, noting that Smith "walks the walk" more
than many of its peers.
Areas they recommended we review included many we ourselves
had identified: the advising system, leadership structures at the chair and director
level, the link between the curriculum and the co-curriculum, optimizing the open
curriculum, and resources for electronic communication. They urged us to approach
implementation of our strategic plan with momentum and enthusiasm, convinced that
Smith is structurally and financially well-positioned to do so. In the words of one
team member, "Smith should move expeditiously and confidently forward."
I
join Provost Bourque, chair of the NEASC review process, in thanking all of you for
your active participation in both the self-study and strategic planning process.
It was thanks to the lively and energetic participation of the Smith community that
we developed such strong evaluation documents and received such positive and enthusiastic
support from the visiting team.
Sincerely,
Carol T. Christ |
