Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi sent the following e-mail to the Council of Deans and Vice Chancellors on Aug. 9.

Dear Colleagues,

I recently shared with you my proposal for a strategic process of campus growth to create new opportunities for UC Davis and our surrounding region. As I noted, developing this idea into an action plan will require broad input from and consultation with many constituencies both on and off campus. Having received positive feedback about this idea, I am enthusiastic about moving forward with further discussions of the concept.

As a first step, we have begun consultations with the leadership of the Academic Senate about the creation of administrative task forces to work closely with the relevant senate committees in analyzing and further developing the idea. In the weeks ahead, we will appoint three groups comprised of faculty, staff, students and others as appropriate that will be charged with exploring issues related to enrollment, academic planning and campus infrastructure.

Provost Hexter and I are pleased to announce that Ken Burtis, professor of genetics and past dean of the College of Biological Sciences, has agreed to assist us in this effort, serving as our liaison with the various constituencies involved and coordinating the strategic planning effort. Ken’s long experience with UC Davis, beginning as an undergraduate and having served over the years as a member of the staff, faculty and administration, has provided him with a broad perspective on the campus and a commitment to ensuring the future success of UC Davis in fulfilling its mission as a land-grant university.

We are also pleased that Assistant Vice Chancellor Karl Mohr will partner with Ken to support this process. Karl’s experience managing the campus’s capital and space planning programs and his prior position as the city of Davis finance director will bring strong analytical and policy skills to this initiative. Together Ken and Karl will engage the campus community as well as friends and neighbors in our surrounding communities to ensure their input is considered in our ongoing planning efforts.

As the new academic year begins, I look forward to working with you on the many innovative ideas and creative solutions that will no doubt arise from our discussions about this initiative, and to joining with you as we define the future of UC Davis.

Sincerely,

Linda