Spotlight
2019 State of the University Address
President’s State of the University Address
March 14, 2019
THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA:
FOUNDED IN THE FAITH THAT PEOPLE ARE ENNOBLED BY UNDERSTANDING…
DEDICATED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING AND THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH…
DEVOTED TO THE INSTRUCTION OF YOUTH AND THE WELFARE OF THE STATE…
THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA.
That, as some of you will recognize with one editorial update, is the inscription on the front of Northrop on the Minneapolis campus. I spoke about that inscription in some detail at my inauguration as President more than seven years ago, and I have found it to be good guidance in the intervening years. I commend it to you.
2019 State of the University Address
President Eric W. Kaler cordially invites you to the 2019 State of the University Address.
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019
3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Coffman Memorial Union Theater
300 Washington Avenue SE
Light refreshments to follow
Following a brief address, President Kaler will be joined by Lori Sturdevant of the Star Tribune for a moderated discussion on the state of the University in 2019 and his tenure as the 16th President of the University of Minnesota.
Former University of Minnesota President Nils Hasselmo passed away at age 87
Dear University community,
It is with sadness that the University learned that former President Hasselmo passed away Wednesday morning. Nils Hasselmo served as president of the University of Minnesota from 1988 through 1997. His tenure featured a significant commitment to undergraduate education with improvements in class sizes, graduation rates, and brand new initiatives (particularly in student services) to adopt and embrace the emerging trends in the new digital economy.
Statement from University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler on national and local issues related to transgender and nonbinary rights
Across the country, institutions of higher education are responding to proposed changes in the federal definition of gender under Title IX. If implemented, gender would be defined as male or female, unchangeable, and determined by an individual’s sex assigned at birth. This would effectively remove the identities of transgender and gender non-conforming people.
Understandably, many are feeling scared, angry, and confused about how potential policy changes will affect their lives and the lives of others. I can assure you that I will reject any movement that would erase or deny the identities of those in our University community who are transgender or gender non-conforming. To do so would be to deny human dignity.
EVPP leadership update
Dear Colleagues,
I am pleased to share that Provost Karen Hanson and I have mutually identified a new arrangement that will allow her to remain as executive vice president and provost (EVPP), and step down when the new president hires a new chief academic officer.
This arrangement will allow Provost Hanson to step away from the EVPP position January to March 2019 for a leave that will accommodate personal and family considerations referenced in her August message. She will return full time to the EVPP position April 1, 2019.
President's report to the Board of Regents: Celebrations and enhancing campus climate
Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the opportunity to update the Board of Regents on the work taking place across our University system.
Be an active bystander
Dear Twin Cities students,
This week marks the 104th annual celebration of Homecoming, a tradition dedicated to honoring the spirit of the University of Minnesota on the Twin Cities campus. Many of us will participate in events and share experiences that reflect our collective pride around the choice we each made to be Golden Gophers.
President’s and Provost’s Response to the Report of the Advisory Committee on University History
To:
John Coleman, chair, President’s and Provost’s Committee on University History, and dean, College of Liberal Arts
Members, President’s and Provost’s Committee on University History
University community
From:
Eric W. Kaler, President
Karen Hanson, Executive Vice President and Provost
Background
This week's tragic event
Dear Twin Cities Campus Greek Community Leaders,
Early Wednesday morning, a University of Minnesota Twin Cities student was found deceased at the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity near the Saint Paul campus. Many members of our University community are mourning this loss and trying to make sense of it. It also reminds us of other tragedies we’ve experienced in our community. As your president and a parent, I am deeply troubled any time we lose a life much too early.
When something like this occurs, it’s important for all of us to pause and take stock of what more we need to do as individuals and as a community.