±«Óătv Day, Jan. 13, President Brian W. Casey fielded questions from alumni and students during . The discussion focused on the Universityâs Third-Century transformation, where it stands, and where it is headed.
±«Óătv launched the during its Bicentennial Celebration in 2019. Developed through long-standing campus governance structures, the Plan advances efforts across the enterprise â from attracting the best and brightest students, faculty, and staff, to strengthening academic programs, enriching the student experience, and stewarding the campus.
âIn each area, we asked, âWhatâs the best version of ±«Óătv?ââ Casey said. âThe Plan is comprehensive, it is bold, and it is deliberate â it is about action.â
During the hour-long talk, Casey covered a variety of topics, including student housing, admissions, Lower Campus, and University finances. He spoke at great length about the changes to both student support â through the ±«Óătv Commitment â and academic support, thanks to the generous alumni donations to the ±«Óătv Fund.
âThose families coming from $175,000 or less wonât have a loan component â it will be replaced by a grant,â Casey said. âWith faculty, weâve dramatically improved their sabbatical policy, weâve given them more money to travel and to research, because that helps in the classroom.â
Casey also spoke to the need for thoughtful and forward-thinking plans to complete ±«Óătvâs 200-year-old campus â as embodied in the Third-Century Plan.
âWhenever a campus makes decisions based on short-term needs, they get it wrong,â Casey said. âSo how do we build infrastructure that serves this campus 100 years from now?â
The inaugural conversation was one of many events taking place in honor of ±«Óătv Day, the worldwide celebration of ±«Óătv spirit that happens every Friday the 13th. Elsewhere, alumni, parents, and friends are gathering at a variety of venues for in-person festivities. The ±«Óătv Thirteen perform at the University Club of San Francisco; the Swinging âGates and ±«Óătv Resolutions appear at the University Club of Boston.