February, 2005
Here are some interesting
results
from a survey taken
recently by the UC Alumni Advocacy group called Friends of the
RESULTS:
What issues pose the
most critical opportunities for the
Advocates were asked
to check up to three of six choices. UC should:
48%
Use UC's size and scientific
breadth to
mount "big science" initiatives to conduct multi-disciplinary
research with broad applications, such as what's being done by UC as
part of
the new California stem cell research initiative.
40%
Lead a new initiative to
dramatically
increase the training of math and science K-12 teachers in
36%
Launch new efforts to better
reflect the diversity
of
32%
Continue to provide quality
patient care at
its hospitals, train
Selected comments:
"UC needs to be both
visionary and traditional. We must continue to be the best public
university in
the world. We must attract the best faculty and the most dedicated
staff. Only
then can we continue to offer an unparalleled educational experience.
From that
position of strength, we can be an asset to the state and the world. We
can
foster math and science education to sustain our strength. We can take
advantage of our status as a multicultural state to show the world how
to be a
diverse, respectful, and productive community in these days where
international
borders are increasingly artificial."
"Fund the
"I think that
increasing the diversity of the university really has to be addressed.
Over the
last 10 years, the student population has become less diverse due to
the rising
of standards and the inability of students in areas plagued by poor
K-12
education to be prepared to meet those standards. UC's need to focus
some
attention and efforts on creating programs as well as initiative that
will
prepare students to meet the rigors and demand of the UC application
process.
All students benefit from a diverse student body, and the world
benefits from
having individuals entering the work force who come from a variety of
perspectives as well as point of views."
"The University needs
to continue to create both a workforce and the engines of new work to
make the
state economy strong enough to support all of its citizens and again be
a
national if not an international leader worthy of respect. In all of
that, the
University needs to never diminish its role in creating a thoughtful
and
compassionate citizenry that the critical thinking skills and ethical
understanding to use wisely what it creates."
"I think that
providing quality patient care and training
"UC should pursue
research efforts that help the world with environmental efforts and
issues such
as global warming, pollution, quality of drinking water, deforestation,
etc.
and other “natural” threats to humanity (e.g.,
meteor striking Earth, tsunamis,
and supervolcanoes). These are not fantastic fabrications of a
Bradburyian
mind, but pressing realities. Especially because of
"I just retired after
39 years teaching American history. I realize that math and science
must be top
priorities but I feel that it just as important to improve the teaching
of
history. All of the UCs have eminent historians who should get their
feet wet
and work with all of the schools, primary through secondary."
"As a scientist I
feel the most important goal for the next two years is to retain the
contracts
at the national laboratories."
"UC should conduct
leading-edge research in all disciplines not just the sciences
– economics, the
social sciences, the arts, etc. With the resources of the UC system,
the world
and its challenges is our laboratory."
"I worry about the
stress on science. Why train only math and science teachers? What about
English, history, etc.? I am afraid "big science" will crush the
liberal arts."
"Maintain the quality
of the libraries and other research resources."
"I consider our advocacy
efforts to be a high priority. We must continue to inform legislators
of the
benefits UC provides to
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copyright 2005 The Davis Faculty
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