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February 23, 2004
To: Campus Community
From: M.R.C. Greenwood, Chancellor
Chancellor's Departure to become UC Provost and Senior VP
Dear Colleagues,
I've given much thought to how I should frame this message to you today, and I realize that there is simply no easy way to convey a difficult decision.
As will be reported in the news media shortly, the Regents of the University of California met today to announce their approval of my appointment to the position of University Provost and Senior Vice President. (press.ucsc.edu/text.asp?pid=455)
For reasons I wish to share with you now, I have been persuaded by UC President Dynes that this is an important and necessary change for me at a critical time in the history--and for the future--of the University.
But first, I want to say that it has been a privilege to serve this wonderful campus for nearly eight years. I am exceedingly proud of UC Santa Cruz, its people and its accomplishments. Together, we have launched the campus' first professional school, the Jack Baskin School of Engineering; increased the number of academic programs by 52 per cent, from 63 to 96, including a 41 per cent increase in graduate programs; opened the two newest residential colleges in the UC system; received international recognition and top rankings for a number of our academic programs across the spectrum of disciplines; established several major research centers, such as the Center for Justice, Tolerance and Community, the Center for Global, International and Regional Studies, the STEPS Institute, the Center for Ocean Health, and the Institute for Advanced Feminist Research; effectively accommodated total student enrollment growth of approximately 54 per cent, with nearly 50 per cent increase in graduate enrollment, thus helping meet the needs of the state; increased both academic quality and diversity of student body; hired 250 new faculty members; more than doubled extramural research support; constructed nearly one million assignable square feet in academic buildings for the arts, the sciences, and engineering; began construction of new facilities for humanities and social sciences that will include a site for the new Institute for Humanities Research; added approximately 2,800 bed spaces in new student housing; acquired 50 acres of oceanfront property to expand research opportunities at Long Marine Laboratory; established a UC Silicon Valley Center at Moffett Field and engaged with NASA Ames in developing the nation's first University Affiliated Research Center; proceeded to develop the Monterey Bay Education, Science and Technology Center; increased positive media coverage about faculty research achievements; raised more private donations than the previous total for the campus' entire history; established and expanded regional partnerships, including major collaboration with the City of Santa Cruz, and with our region's educational institutions, business and industry groups, and social services and arts organizations.
All of these accomplishments, among many others, are a tribute to the exceptional faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of UC Santa Cruz. We have achieved remarkable success, and we have done so with a strong sense of community, characterized by shared purpose and a resolve to develop our full potential in a manner that respects the past while pioneering the future.
This time with you has been one of the most incredible journeys of my life, and I know that you share my enthusiasm for UC Santa Cruz. As I said upon my arrival, UC Santa Cruz is "a jewel in the crown" of the University. Yet, we find ourselves with "the whole crown"--the entire university--at risk in most perilous times.
In this time of fiscal emergency, the University of California needs more than ever to increase understanding about the positive impact of our programs and the quality education that we must continue to provide for the most talented of the state's students. Both political pressure and budgetary constraints are making it increasingly difficult for all public universities, even the great ones like UC, to prosper. Whether California will honor the promises of the internationally revered Master Plan for Higher Education is a question we must face. It is in the context of addressing these far-reaching challenges that I join the Office of the President.
The University of California is fortunate to have a leader such as President Bob Dynes. He has convinced me that it is in the best interests of the campus and the university for me to join his team at the Office of the President now. Please understand that I only consider accepting this new responsibility, because it is a powerful way to continue serving this exceptional campus and the wider interests of the University.
It is possible that the transition will worry some, but I have every confidence that UC Santa Cruz will continue its upward trajectory. This campus possesses a stellar, experienced leadership team that has developed a cooperative and fruitful working relationship with the Academic Senate and our other constituencies. Our dedicated staff are hard-working and talented, and we enjoy one of the most productive relationships with students that I have ever seen.
President Dynes will be talking with campus academic and administrative leadership on Tuesday, February 24. He will announce the interim chancellor very soon, and he has assured me that the search for the next chancellor will begin immediately. I anticipate that this new leader will be in place quickly, because I know that there are many individuals who would be as proud as I have been to be your chancellor.
So, you will now have a friend in the Office of the President, one who knows this campus well, and who holds it fondly in her heart. I will visit the campus to celebrate your future successes, to greet old friends and esteemed colleagues, and to again walk this spectacular natural environment.
Thank you, each of you, for your support, inspiration and good will.
Maintained by:pioweb@ucsc.edu