Recently named Chairperson of the Commission on Undergraduate Education (CUE) Paula Burger has outlined her goals and a plan of action for the 30-person committee over the next three years. The system is based on divisionally-integrated, specialized issue-focused groups within the commission, as well as on inputs from students and professors.
Burger, who is also the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and International Programs, said that in order to delve deeper into the issues comprising undergraduate education at Hopkins, the committee members would continue to be divided into smaller groups, each with a specific focus in mind.
"We will periodically get together as a whole, and eventually the [entire] committee will hear reports from the different working groups," said Burger. Moreover, she said they would probably be adding people who were not currently members of the committee to the individual working groups, in order to obtain perspectives from field experts, so-called "resource people," who will lend their knowledge to the group's mission. Those would be in addition to the approximately eight members in each group.
The four working groups will focus on integrating intellectual and social life, teaching and learning, diversity in the undergraduate community, advising and career support.
"There was some thought on having one group with [solely] international dimensions," said Burger, but it was later decided that the "international issue would permeate different committees," especially diversity in undergraduate education and teaching and learning.
Burger replaces Ralph Kuncl, who will become Provost and professor of Biology at Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, Pa. With several years of experience in undergraduate affairs both at Hopkins and Duke University, Burger was seen as a highly-qualified candidate for the position as chair of CUE. Her initial involvement in the planning and strategy began nearly seven years ago, when University administration began taking a look at the future goals and refinements needed in undergraduate affairs.
University President William R. Brody cited her involvement at Duke, a fellow research university, as one of the main qualities Burger brings to CUE.
"Most importantly," he said, "she is committed to improving the quality of undergraduate education and understands the challenges and opportunities that are unique to research universities and in the improvement of undergraduate education."
Current member of CUE and Student Council President Anuj Mittal commented on the potential of the committee and the inherent benefits it promises for Hopkins undergraduates. The mere creation of the committee shows, as Mittal said "a marked change in the presidency of the University [because] so much focus is being put on undergraduate education. People at Homewood realize its [CUE's] potential."
Not only was Mittal positive about the future success of CUE and its "goal-oriented momentum," he also said he was "more than satisfied" with Burger's appointment as committee chair.
"She's clearly highly qualified for the job. She has a goal-oriented approach that will lead us in the right direction," Mittal said.
Burger's matrix organization of students and faculty of the several divisions of the University is to ensure that differences in the University's divisions are taken into account.
She said, "Given the contextual differences of Homewood, Peabody, the School of Nursing, etc. we want to constitute groups with members from each division so we can account for those differences."
Furthermore, Burger wants to extend the scope of input to students throughout the University, even if they are not formally involved CUE.
At this point in time, CUE is also hoping to obtain information from students through a University-wide survey that has already begun.
Brody further believes that here at Hopkins, "we have an opportunity to redefine undergraduate education and become a role model for other research universities to follow.
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