The Board of Visitors Charge to the Self-Study Committees

WHEREAS, in order to meet this mission, the College must initiate academic programs and add facilities, which in due course will substantially extend beyond the philosophical and physical domain of its core arts and sciences campus in the City of Fredericksburg; and

WHEREAS, the College in 1999 will inaugurate operations on a second campus in Stafford County under the auspices of its Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, and

WHEREAS, it is the vision and intent of the Board of Visitors of the College that other additional centers and professional schools will be developed and come into being at the College in the future; and

WHEREAS, these many endeavors, when achieved, will give the institution characteristics associated with university status;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RECTOR AND VISITORS OF MARY WASHINGTON COLLEGE that the institution direct its efforts toward the concept of formally attaining university status. Further,

WHEREAS, the College, with its entire constituent community participating, must prepare itself to make the transition from college to university status in a deliberate, organized, and careful manner, making sure to preserve the programs, name, and distinctiveness of the existing college of arts and sciences; and

WHEREAS, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, in the context of the scheduled reaffirmation of Mary WashingtonÃs accreditation in 2003, offers the possibility of an Alternate (strategic) Self-Study whereby the College can address "major issues vital to the long-term improvement of the institution;"

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE RECTOR AND VISITORS OF MARY WASHINGTON COLLEGE that the College submit its Alternate (strategic) Self-Study application to SACS at the earliest possible opportunity, and that the major issue identified as the focus of the Self-Study be "Moving to university status: Assessing the opportunities and demands, ordering priorities, and safeguarding existing strengths;" and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Self-Study be organized in a way which ensures the significant involvement of all major elements of the CollegeÃs constituent community (Board, faculty, students, alumni, administrative staff), and that as part of this process, a projected timetable for formal emergence from college to university status be developed.