Goals Establish Framework for Our Future

The College of Veterinary Medicine will 1. Cultivate an innovative and broad-based, lifelong educational experience in the art and science of veterinary medicine and comparative biomedical science. 2. Maintain high-quality, focused research programs and expand collaborative programmatic interactions. 3. Address the needs of a changing profession and society in innovative ways. 4. Include a global dimension in all activities by developing international programs and collaborations. 5. Improve and strengthen operational efficiency, facilities and financial health. 6. Promote and foster an environment of collegiality and professionalism.

Drawing on recent state and national studies as well as input from faculty retreats and external advisory committees, our College has set forth a vision for our future. The planning and thinking behind it have been ongoing since I arrived as dean nearly two years ago, and the document will be refined through further detail and input.

You, our alumni and friends, are especially encouraged to share your comments about implementing and achieving this vision. The six broad goals listed here are expanded in the full document.

The first goal, for example, is divided into strategies targeting undergraduate and post-DVM as well as professional and graduate education. An important component of our goals relating to education is to expose learners at every stage of their education to the broad range of career opportunities in the veterinary and biomedical field.

We also want to find new funding sources for education at every level. The corporate fellowship programs described in this newsletter represent one approach.

A key concept in implementing our second goal, relating to research programs, is collaboration and cross-disciplinary linkages. A newly created department of bioengineering at the Urbana campus will open opportunities for researchers within our College.

The third goal relates to our service to the profession and society. In addition to the very visible service provided through our teaching hospital and diagnostic laboratory, we place tremendous emphasis on responding to emerging opportunities and societal needs through public engagement. In particular, the College envisions a more active role in the greater Chicago area.

Our plans to initiate a specialty practice in Chicago are temporarily on hold as we gauge the implications of the current financial and political climate in the state and the University’s Board of Trustees.

Meanwhile, we are moving forward with other initiatives to develop a presence in the Chicago area. The benefits of our connection with Brookfield Zoo extend beyond the excellent opportunities for veterinary students working there with Dr. Jennifer Langan. Dr. Natalie Mylniczenko (IL ’99), who works for Shedd Aquarium and is newly appointed as an adjunct clinical assistant professor here, will strengthen our ties to that organization. We are also developing programs in conjunction with the Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago.

As you know, the University of Illinois and our College have been hit repeatedly with cuts from our state budget. An additional 8 percent of the total FY03 College budget was returned, and the forecast for the coming years looks bleak. That means we must look elsewhere for ways to fund new initiatives.

Despite the financial situation, we are gaining clarity and focus for our future. We are retooling the College and positioning to respond to trends in the profession over the next 15 years. Ultimately it is our goal to be recognized in the top tier of colleges of veterinary medicine.

I welcome your comments and ideas on these issues, especially your suggestions regarding new funding sources. You can reach me at dean@cvm.uiuc.edu.