University of Redlands
Dear University Community,
As Board Chair, one of my greatest points of pride is spending time on our campuses and witnessing first-hand all the ways in which our students are thriving at the University of Redlands, including coursework with our exceptional faculty, and the outstanding residential, co-curricular, performance and athletic opportunities available to our Bulldog students. All of us who serve on the University’s Board of Trustees – many of whom, like me, are alumni – do so because we fundamentally support the transformational Redlands experience – an experience that we personally know enriches and empowers students’ lives.
This is a unique time in higher education, and as we navigate it together, the Board of Trustees is fully committed to working with all of our University constituencies as partners in capitalizing on the boundless opportunities before us. One exciting example of this is our recently completed strategic plan, Forward Together, which outlines our path to a successful, thriving future. As we prepare to put this plan into action, it is more important than ever that we review and enhance our shared governance model to include our entire University community – faculty, staff, students, and the Board of Trustees – and align with our new mission and vision.
To that end, I am pleased to announce that we are launching a shared governance planning process to evaluate and improve our shared governance framework. Throughout this process, each of us will have the opportunity to contribute our unique expertise and experience.
The first phase of this process will consist of a series of focused Town Hall discussions for all students, faculty, staff, and University trustees, facilitated by Dr. Danny Anderson, President Emeritus of Trinity University, who now lives in Redlands and is an engaged partner with the University.
These sessions are your time—opportunities to provide your thoughts and ideas.
Staff Town Hall
Monday, September 25 at 1 p.m.
Casa Loma and via Zoom (link to follow)
Student Town Hall
Wednesday, September 27 at 6 p.m.
Orton Center and via Zoom (link to follow)
Faculty Town Hall
Thursday, September 28 at 4 p.m.
Orton Center and via Zoom (link to follow)
Following these discussions and further data-gathering through a campus-wide survey, this initiative will be overseen by a Shared Governance Task Force, chaired by Dr. Anderson, and include equal representation from the administration, faculty, staff, and students. Dr. Anderson’s extensive experience in the field of shared governance will be an invaluable asset as we shape our model to ensure our continued growth and success; his contribution to this project is being fully underwritten by private donations from current and former members of our Board of Trustees.
I cannot overemphasize the importance of your participation in this process. To be successful, it will take all of us, and I look forward to working with you as we envision together a bright future.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, let me say to our faculty and staff: Please accept our deepest thanks and appreciation for everything you are doing for our students and the University of Redlands. And to our students: We are delighted that you chose to attend the University of Redlands for your education, and we are honored to have you in the Bulldog family. You are, indeed, the reason we are all here.
I look forward to working with you all as one united University community on this important initiative.
Sincerely,
Jamison J. Ashby ’82
Chair, Board of Trustees
