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2010-A Time For Change

Dear forestry colleagues—
 
As you know, an external review of the Faculty of Forestry was conducted this past November 2009 in accordance with University of Toronto policy which specifies such reviews be conducted at the end of a decanal term. I am writing to send you copies of two documents (the External Review Report and the Faculty Administrative Response) which have been accepted by the Provost and which will be submitted to UofT governance this Spring. Please links at bottom of page.
 
As stated in the response document, the Faculty of Forestry appreciates the service of Professors Jack Saddler and Bruce Bare to the Faculty and University of Toronto in their role as external reviewers. Their report is an accurate review of the challenges and opportunities facing the Faculty of Forestry.
 
Our staff were especially pleased that the review team stated the quality of the Faculty of Forestry is “unassailable”; and note their support for our strategic goal to contribute to the “greening” of the economy and our efforts to be a global player in conservation and biomaterial science.
 
The Faculty recognizes the significance of the review team recommendation that a satisfactory reorganization alternative needs to be identified. Our faculty are keen to contribute positively to reorganization discussions across the tri-campus that will allow Forestry to implement financially attractive and viable options that are consistent with our excellence in teaching and research.
 
The Faculty Working Group the Provost has appointed has initiated consultations with other university divisions and a broad array of stakeholders, both internal and external to the Faculty and university, in order to identify the optimal strategy for Faculty reorganization. The Working Group will assess the pros and cons of the potential alternatives and submit their final report, which will outline the recommended option, to the offices of the Provost on 1 July 2010.
 
For your information, the next steps for the review process involve the following:
 
* Dean’s office: Circulate the External review Report and the Faculty Administrative Response to faculty, staff, students.
 
* Office of the Vice-Provost Academic Programs: Send the External Review Report and the Faculty Administrative Response to the Faculty community (people from cognate UofT academic units that participated in the review) for comment.
 
* Office of the Vice-Provost Academic Programs: Send a Summary of the External Review Report, the Faculty Administrative Response, and Provost Administrative Response to the Committee on Academic Policy and Planning on 2 March 2010.
 
Thank you for your participation in this important process. Please let me know if you have any questions.
 
Regards,
Tat

Phone 416-978-5752
Email tat.smith@utoronto.ca

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