To the Georgia Tech Community:

Dr. G. P. "Bud" Peterson

The April announcement of our invitation to join the Association of American Universities (AAU) was not only a tremendous compliment, but also a testament to how perceptions about Georgia Tech are changing. In my conversations with people outside our campus, there is genuine interest in Georgia Tech, an appreciation for our contributions to improve the human condition, and a desire to know what we are going to do next. It's a privileged position to be in, and one we have been working towards for a very long time.

As president, one of my principal roles is to communicate all of the exciting things we are doing in education, research, service, and economic development. In addition to the normal Rotary, Alumni Association and other visits, this July, members of my senior leadership team and I will be travelling the state, meeting with alumni clubs and legislators to find additional opportunities for partnership and collaboration. We will also talk about the future of Georgia Tech, viewed through our forthcoming strategic plan.

Breaking Down the Budget

As I mentioned in a previous message to campus, we are winding down on fiscal year 2010 and looking ahead to 2011. While the previous three fiscal cycles have resulted in a 23 percent reduction in state support, I am pleased to report that careful planning has positioned us favorably for the forthcoming fiscal year. The most encouraging news is that our undergraduate and graduate applications are continuing to rise and we continue to substantially grow our sponsored research programs.

VPID Search Update

The search committee for Georgia Tech's first vice president of Institute Diversity (VPID) will be active over the summer, identifying a list of candidates and conducting initial interviews, in preparation for bringing finalists to campus in the fall. This is a critical position that will provide the kind of institutional leadership we need to formulate the diversity and inclusion strategy that supports the Institute's long-term goals.

In Appreciation

On May 18, I had the privilege of attending the Retirement Dinner, congratulating and saying farewell to dozens of faculty and staff who collectively have devoted nearly two thousand years of service to Georgia Tech. Institutional knowledge and management experience of this kind is very difficult to replace, and is why we remain committed to our professional development programs. To each of our retirees, we wish you the best in the next phase of your life and hope you will stay connected to and involved in the Tech community.

Athletic Acclaim

It has been an exciting spring for fans of Georgia Tech sports. Both our softball and baseball teams have been ranked among the top 10 in the nation for most of the season, and our men's golf and women's tennis teams each captured a conference title. Last month, five athletic teams - baseball, golf, volleyball, and men's and women's cross country - were among the teams recognized by the NCAA for their Academic Progress Report (APR) scores, which ranked in the top 10 percent nationally within their sport.

Tuition Rising

When the University System of Georgia's Board of Regents approved a $500 per semester tuition increase in May, it was an acknowledgement that, while we continue to benefit from the support the state legislature provides, it limits our ability to keep pace with the quality of education our competitive world demands. This is not an easy thing to ask of our students, but it is a necessary step to meet our foremost priority to preserve the quality of education we provide and, in turn, the value of the degrees we offer.

Strategic Plan Update

We have been reviewing the feedback (open until June 15) to the latest public draft of Georgia Tech's strategic plan, and so far most respondents believe we are on the right track. This has been a collaborative process from the start, initiating vigorous discussion around the type of university we are today and might be in the future. To maintain momentum during the final stages of the planning process, we have developed a short list of big ideas that build upon areas of institutional strength. Over the course of the next several months, teams of faculty and staff will work together to bring shape and structure to some of these ideas.

Lazy Days of Summer? Not for Tech

It may not always seem like it, but Georgia Tech is a busy place in the summer. In addition to current students, we host a wide variety of workshops, camps and short courses in areas ranging from drama to science to sports - as well as freshman orientation sessions and other activities that will bring several thousand visitors to our campus during the next few months. As you encounter these groups, remember that we all have a role to play as ambassadors of Georgia Tech, which will help ensure positive experience for all of those visiting our campus.