Task Forces and Initiatives  

See also: Strategic Planning

Below are links to information about current or recent task forces appointed by the Provost, as well as selected ongoing activities and initiatives implemented by this office.  For information about previous task forces and initiatives, see the archives below.

Selected Current Activities and Initiatives

Strategic Initiatives Process

• Guided by its strategic plan, The Iowa Promise 2005-10, UI has raised faculty salaries, strengthened undergraduate education, and increased the diversity of faculty, staff, and students. 
• New developments—including new campus leadership, new strategic priorities of the Board of Regents for 2009-14, the devastating flood of 2008, and a time of national economic retrenchment—compel us to refocus and expand the current plan. 
• Over the next five years, selected goals of The Iowa Promise will continue to inform the University’s decision-making, but they will be complemented by new areas of strategic focus.
• In spring 2009, six task forces are beginning the work of identifying these areas of focus. Details about the task forces, including their charges and membership, can be found on these pages.

Task Forces

• New: Strategic Initiative Task Forces - The University is currently undertaking a strategic initiatives planning process for 2009-2014. Six task forces have been established to begin this work in April 2009.
• Diversity Action Committee - Appointed in fall 2005 to help guide campus efforts to implement and achieve the diversity goals outlined in the new Strategic Plan, The Iowa Promise.
• Flood Mitigation Task Force - Appointed in fall 2008 to participate in planning changes to reduce the risk from future Iowa River flooding.
• Gender Equity Task Force - Appointed in fall 2005 to take a broad look at the status of women faculty at The University of Iowa and recommend changes and programs to increase the number of women faculty and improve their quality of life.
• Intercollegiate Task Force on the Organization of Research and Education in the Life Sciences - Formed in spring 2007 to investigate how The University of Iowa can better leverage its exceptional strengths in basic and applied life sciences.
• Mentoring Task Force - Appointed in January 2006 to take a broad look at the status of faculty mentoring at The University of Iowa.
• Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Task Force - Appointed in January 2006 to examine the university's preparedness in the event of an influenza pandemic.
• Working Group on late Night Activities - Appointed in fall 2007 to increase the number and quality of alcohol-free late night activities.
• Writing University Task Force - Appointed in fall 2005 to explore possibilities for developing synergies among the various groups that contribute to the reputation of Iowa as the "Writing University."

Archive

• Archived Office of the Provost Goals and Initiatives lists from 1999-00 through 2004-05