Welcome to the Academic Affair's Task Force web page. In early September, the Vice President for Academic Affairs announced the formation of three task forces charged with charting the directions of the academic programs for the next decade in the broad areas of health and human services; integrating science, math and technology; and information technology. To meet this charge, each task force will seek to identify future societal changes and opportunities that may impact our programs, build upon the strength of our current programs, analyze resource needs and availability based on existing and potential sources, and make recommendations to the academic community, in general, and the Academic Council specifically about future directions for the University. The work of the task forces is envisioned to be a "broad brush" series of recommendations with more detailed analyses and program development/proposals to be pursued subsequently by appropriate faculty groups.

As the VPAA noted in his September 7th memo to all faculty, "it is vitally important that all of us as members of the James Madison University community be proactive in program development while building upon the strength of our existing programs." The academic programs at the University have been creative and responsive in program development, and this has resulted in national recognition of the quality of our programs. But we have increasingly come to the time where our creative, future-oriented program development activities must be balanced with the efficient and wise use of the resources needed to support quality programs. The task forces are envisioned as the process that will stimulate and facilitate discussion among the academic community resulting in academic programs that move the institution forward based upon widespread participation and input. This web site will be one means of communication within the academic community. Each task force will also be holding open forums for discussion, putting forth their ideas for feedback, and reaching out to additional faculty and external consultants as appropriate.

I have been asked by the VPAA to oversee the task forces and this process. I have the privilege of working directly with Vida Huber, Robert Reid, and Richard Roberds as chairs of the task forces. Together we will seek to coordinate the overall effort to ensure the most efficient use of everyone's time and effort while seeking the broadest possible input. Indirectly, you and I will be working with each of the task forces. I think you will find the membership for each task force to be diverse and representative of many perspectives (a listing of members is included in that task force's individual section of this web site). The findings and recommendations of the task forces will be integral to the future of this institution and I invite you to fully participate in these discussions.

A. Jerry Benson