University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Virtual Resource Room

Supporting the 2006 NCA Accreditation Site Visit

Chapter 2: Developments at UNL Since 1997

In preparation for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's decennial accreditation, a group of faculty and administrators convened to talk about their perceptions of the University and its progress, or lack thereof, over the previous 10 years. A lively discussion surfaced a long list of changes, events, people and programs. And what emerged surprised and even delighted participants. The University, they concluded, had made significant, even bold progress in many areas. New buildings were constructed and programs had been launched. The research enterprise had nearly doubled in size. Hiring and funding decisions had been made with more focused strategy. We had made progress on a number of fronts.

2-1 A 2020 Vision, 2000
The Future Nebraska Task Force was charged with the task of providing a "Sesquicentennial Vision", an ambitious statement of what the nature, scope and quality of UNL's research and graduate programs should be at our 150th anniversary, in the year 2019. Briefly, it is our vision that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln should become one of the premier public research universities in the United States. Also available in Word DOC format.

2-2 1996 State of the University Addresses
The full text of the Chancellor's 1996 State of the University Address.

2-3 Building a Culture of Excellence

2-4 Reshaping our University, 1997

2-5 Intellectual Engagement and Achievement at UNL ("Blue Sky Report"), 2003
The Blue Sky Committee was charged in October 2002 with making a broad assessment of faculty, staff and student experiences at UNL, and with considering how those experiences relate to the goals of A 2020 Vision, a report on the future of research and graduate education at UNL. The committee reviewed a number of recent analytical reports offering varied perspectives on the quality of the University's performance, its intellectual climate, and the engagement of its staff and faculty.

2-6 Everyone a Learner, Everyone a Teacher, 2003
The Transition to University Task Force was appointed in May 2003 by Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Richard Edwards to review and assess the effectiveness of first-year undergraduate orientation programs and courses. This review was to result in a proposed framework or plan for coordinating and supporting these separate programs.

2-7 Indicators of Institutional Quality: Annual Report
The Quality Indicators reports are annual "report cards" measuring UNL's progress toward the goals and aspirations of the campus's 2020 Vision.

2-8 Programs of Excellence
The Programs of Excellence initiative at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln strategically invests in programs consistent both with the priorities identified by the Board of Regents and our campus plans and initiatives.

2-9 General Purpose Classroom Report and Appendices, 2005

2-10 University-wide Web Portal

2-11 Retention information for the class that entered in Fall 2005

2-12 Peer Review of Teaching project

2-13 Initiative for Teaching and Learning Excellence

2-14 1997 State of the University Address – James Moesser

2-15 Extended Education and Outreach Advanced Scholars Program

2-16 2004 State of the University Address