Hart Appointed to University-Wide Council to Advise President Powers

AUSTIN, Texas – June 18, 2007 – Roderick. P. Hart, dean of the College of Communication, has been appointed to a newly formed university-wide council to advise the president and develop a strategic and business plan for the university.

The Policy and Planning Advisory Council will advise President Powers on major issues affecting The University of Texas at Austin’s long-term goals, major budget issues and priorities, and strategic decisions.

“Several existing groups advise me on these issues, but they do not have broad representation,” said Powers. The university will benefit from a council that does have broader representation, but is still small enough to make decisions in a timely manner.”

The council will be composed of two faculty members, four deans, one department chair from a college not represented by a dean on the council, the vice president and chief financial officer, the vice president of employee and campus services, one additional vice president, a student, a member of the staff, and the provost. The executive vice provost and the deputy to the president will serve as ex-officio members.

The initial council members are:

Professor Richard W. Aldrich, Natural Sciences (Chair, Section of Neurobiology)
Professor Douglas C. Burger, Natural Sciences (Computer Sciences)
Dr. Pat L. Clubb, Vice President for Employee and Campus Services
Dean Randy L. Diehl, Liberal Arts
Professor Linda L. Golden, McCombs School (Marketing)
Dean Roderick P. Hart, Communication
Mr. Kevin P. Hegarty, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Dr. LaToya Hill, Office of the Dean of Students (Emergency Services Coordinator)
Dr. Steven W. Leslie, Executive Vice President & Provost
Dr. Juan M. Sanchez, Vice President for Research
Dean Ben G. Streetman, Engineering
Ms. Nicole E. Trinh, Vice President of Student Government (Human Ecology)
Dean Barbara W. White, Social Work
Ex officio members:

Dr. Stephen Monti, Executive Vice Provost
Dr. Charles A. Roeckle, Deputy to the President

In a letter sent to the university community last week, Powers stated the need to target strategic priorities and stay focused on them to close the gap between The University of Texas at Austin and institutions recognized as the premier public universities in the nation. This will require hard financial choices, and the Policy and Planning Advisory Council will be called upon to set priorities and to help make the difficult decisions that will enable the university to achieve its goals.

“Collectively, these individuals possess a tremendous body of expertise,” said Powers. “I intend to rely on their counsel on issues that affect us all.”

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