University Academic Leadership Forum is Sept. 17 A University Academic Leadership Forum for the University Community with Provost and Deans will take place on Thursday, Sept. 17, 4:05 to 5:05 p.m. in Gamble Hall, Room 7. Their will be a discussion of some key items that are likely to be of interest to a large segment of our University community, followed by an open question-and-answer period during which the audience is invited to ask questions of the Provost and the Deans on matters relating to the University’s academic mission. Agenda topics for the initial session will include: • continuity of academic instruction under pandemic flu conditions (and other emergencies) • strategic prioritizing within the University [submission of questions in advance would be helpful in preparing for the forum. They can be e-mailed to conniegagelin@mail.und.nodak.edu] The Deans and the Provost will be experimenting this year with some ways to enhance communication and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the decisionmaking process. One element being introduced is the University Academic Leadership Forum. The Forum will be an opportunity for all members of the UND community, faculty, students, staff, and administrators, to bring to the Provost and the Deans any questions, suggestions, concerns or comments about the way in which the University is fulfilling its academic mission, and for the academic leadership to share information and ideas. Because the State Board of Higher Education is meeting on campus the day of the first Forum, the members of the Board and the Chancellor of the North Dakota University System have been invited to observe the inaugural session. The University Academic Leadership Forum is not intended to replace the work of the University Senate, which remains the campus-wide policymaking body with authority delegated from the President and the University Council. The University Academic Leadership Forum is also not intended to be a substitute for a robust academic governance process where issues are appropriately addressed within the programs, departments, schools, and colleges. The plan is for a Forum to be held twice a semester, once near the beginning and again near the end of the semester. The first of the sessions can help to inform the topics that need to be addressed during the semester, with the second being a progress/status report on issues that have been raised. On behalf of the Provost’s Office and the Deans, we look forward to your participation in this and future sessions of our new University Academic Leadership Forum. -- Provost and Deans