[Vision2020] Fwd: Idaho's Flagship University

[Tom Hansen]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: "Michael Higgins, President, University of Idaho Alumni Association" <alumni at uidaho.edu>
> Date: February 17, 2012 15:16:13 PST
> To: "thansen at moscow.com" <thansen at moscow.com>
> Subject: Idaho's Flagship University
> Reply-To: alumni at uidaho.edu
> 

> 
> Dear Fellow Alumni:
> 
> As you may have read, the State Board of Education voted yesterday to remove the word “flagship” from the University’s mission statement.  President Nellis has expressed his great disappointment in this decision.  I write to tell you that I share President Nellis’ reaction and have heard from a great many of you on this topic.
> 
> The fact remains that Idaho was and is the state’s flagship research university.  The generally accepted definition of a flagship university is a state’s “first” established university, usually with a land grant mission, and usually a research and PhD granting institution.  Of course, Idaho is all of those things – and more.
> 
> If you are like me, flagship is a part of what our institution is – it is part of our legacy, our history, and it is part of our brand.  Removing this distinguishing identifier is akin to Apple computer changing its mission statement from “Apple designs the best personal computers in the world” to “Apple designs computers.”  It would not adequately recognize who they are, what they do, or what they are proud of.
> 
> If you share my concern over this change, you can register your concern by calling or writing to the State Board of Education at 208.334.2270, board at osbe.idaho.gov, or www.Facebook.com.
> 
> I am grateful for President Nellis’ leadership on this important issue.  It is one thing to develop policies that encourage and enable our university to succeed; it is quite another to require that the University change its mission in a way that will harm the institution’s ability to distinguish itself as Idaho’s first university, successfully promote its important educational research and outreach programs, and celebrate all that is unique and true about the University of Idaho.
> 
> Thank you for all you do as a member of the Vandal Family.
> 
> Best,
> 
> 
> 
> Michael Higgins `98
> President, University of Idaho Alumni Association
> University of Idaho Web Communications
> 1102 Blake Ave, CBE Room 115A
> Moscow, ID 83844
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