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July 18, 2007
Conversation with a Provost
Provost Terry Sullivan took an entire hour out of her busiest week of the year (she said that she was actually glad to get out of the Fleming Building for a while)--the week she presents the budget for next year to the Regents--to have a very meaningful conversation with the Core Team of VOICES of the Staff, yesterday. She talked about all kinds of objectives and ideas that she had for all sections of UM, she answered all our questions, she laughed and told a few humorous personal stories, and, in general, was a most delightful guest. I took notes, but the selections that remain most vivid in my memory are her focusing on nurturing new members of the UM community, her emphasis on department chairs needing to acquire both people and managerial skills, her highlighting excellence in service and performance, and her overall concern for and understanding of all levels of academe and how these elements can be improved. During the debriefing by Laurita Thomas, after the Provost's departure, one could really tell how enthusiastic and energized the Core Team members were--to a person!
Posted by schnitzr at July 18, 2007 05:30 AM