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White Papers & State of the University Letters
White papers are written by members of the University community and outline issues facing the University and the most pressing Chicago Initiative priorities. State of the University letters are written by the president at the start of each academic year
One in Spirit (9/10/2004)
In this white paper, President Don Michael Randel describes the power and importance of ideas at the University of Chicago and underscores Harper's vision of being "one in spirit, if not in opinion." President Randel closes with a discussion of the University's ability to transform communities through thoughtful engagement and intellectual capital.
A Distinctive Intellectual Community (9/2003)
In this state of the university letter, President Randel outlines his vision of Chicago's intellectual community and explains how the University is working to broaden its reach through community-based programs with the Chicago Public Schools.
Research (3/2003)
This white paper by Thomas F. Rosenbaum, James Frank Professor Physics and Vice President for Research, describes Chicago as an extraordinary research institute that pushes the boundaries of knowledge across disciplines and has an extraordinary impact of the world. Rosenbaum gives examples of the type of groundbreaking discoveries that are happening at the University, including exciting developments in nanotechnology and astronomy, and positions undergraduates as an integral part of the University's research enterprises.
Community (11/2002)
Written by Henry S. Weber, Vice President for Community Affairs, this white paper outlines a history of the changing relationship between the University and its surrounding neighborhoods, namely Hyde Park-South Kenwood. Weber describes how the University is now a pioneer in promoting public education, economic development and community safety in the area. The paper ends with a discussion of the real-world implications of landmark scholarship done at the University and stresses the importance of community involvement as a focus of the Chicago Initiative.
Endowment (3/2002)
Trustee James Crown places Chicago's endowment in the historical context of Rockefeller's initial gift and shows how Chicago's endowment currently falls short of its peers. Crown stresses the importance of unrestricted giving and discusses the financial difficulty in growing Chicago's small endowment without creating too much risk for the University. Finally, Crown emphasizes that an increase in unrestricted endowment will lead to improvement and expansion of both facilities and faculty.
Financial Aid (10/2001)
In this white paper, President Randel makes the case for need-blind admission and outlines how the University of Chicago has both a higher percentage of undergraduates who receive financial aid and a smaller ndowment than its peers. Financial pressures are also affecting graduate and professional students, who are often forced into debt by their Chicago education. President Randel discusses his own personal experiences as the first person in his family to attend College and, in conclusion, asks donors to ensure that Chicago can maintain its commitment to being egalitarian.
Teaching (7/2001)
Written by Provost Geoffrey Stone, this white paper outlines the two inseparable components of a great university: extraordinary students and extraordinary faculty. The paper further details some of the accomplished new faculty members the University recently brought on board, and discusses the reasons why they were attracted to Chicago, including the love of learning at the University, its unique quality of discourse, and its interdisciplinary tradition. In closing, Provost Stone writes that Chicago's biggest disadvantage in attracting top-caliber faculty is financial and asks for readers to endow professorships and give to research funds.
