The Boston College
Chronicle Published by the Boston College Office of University Communications AUGUST 31, 2017 VOL.25 NO. 1
‘Ever to Excel: Advancing Boston College’s Mission’
BC Announces New Strategic Plan BY ED HAYWARD STAFF WRITER
Re-envisioning liberal arts education through a renewed Core Curriculum; advancing student formation; bolstering scholarship and research; and expanding connections to Boston and communities around the world are the four pillars of Boston College’s new, 10-year Strategic Plan, “Ever to Excel: Advancing Boston College’s Mission,” announced at University Convocation on Aug. 30. Initiatives to support the four strategic directions include a new Institute for Integrated Science and Society, the endowment of as many as 100 faculty positions, increased options for interdisciplinary study and collaboration, and upgraded facilities. “To thrive in the coming decades, Boston College must remain true to its intellectual and religious roots and seek to be the world’s leading Jesuit, Catholic university,” the plan’s introduction states. “These ambitious goals distinguish Boston College from its peers in higher education worldwide, and reflect its desire to work for the transformation of the world.” The Strategic Plan is the result of
a two-year campus self-study initiated by University President William P. Leahy, SJ, and co-directed by Provost and Dean of Faculties David Quigley and Executive Vice President Michael Lochhead, who led an effort that included faculty, staff, students, trustees and alumni. Specifically, the four strategic directions aim to: •Re-envision liberal arts education at Boston College by sustained attention to the Core Curriculum, enhancing faculty quality and engagement, and leveraging the strengths of undergraduate programs •Enhance the University’s commitment to formation among students, faculty, and staff to further Boston College’s mission and strengthen its institutional culture •Expand support for scholarship and research in keeping with Boston College’s mission to help address complex societal problems and contribute to the common good with a particular focus on the sciences •Increase the University’s presence and impact in the City of Boston, the United States, and around the globe “A commitment to rigorous and
regular strategic planning has been instrumental in Boston College’s ascendancy over the past half century,” said Quigley. “‘Ever to Excel’ builds on that tradition and positions the University well for the opportunities that the next decade presents. I am thankful to all those colleagues across campus who contributed their ideas and their energy to this process. The resulting document is true to our history and our mission, and gives voice to the hopes and ambitions of our campus community.” Under the Strategic Plan, the University will continue to strengthen its Core Curriculum — the cornerstone of the University’s liberal The Plaza at O’Neill Library was bustling Monday morning as the first day of classes ushered in the 2017-18 academic year. (Photo by Lee Pellegrini) arts education — through faculty hiring and development, innovative University Convocation teaching and expanded interdisciplinary connections between schools and colleges. It will also assist undergraduate students through the establishment of new minors and by providing students in the profesheritage, opportunities and commitBY SEAN SMITH sional schools with more curricular ments in the Jesuit, Catholic liberal CHRONICLE EDITOR options in the Morrissey College of arts educational tradition. Arts and Sciences. Boston College’s newly anFr. Leahy affirmed the imporThe University’s distinct Jesuit nounced Strategic Plan took center tance of BC’s mission of intellecapproach to formation — intellectu- stage at yesterday’s annual University tual, spiritual and ethical formation Continued on page 5 Convocation in Robsham Theater. at a time when “respectful dialogue” While they also discussed the in- on immigration, race, sexuality, free fluence of notable issues and trends speech and religious beliefs has beon BC and higher education in gen- come increasingly difficult. He cited eral, University President William P. the recent march by white suprema’76, former executive director of Leahy, SJ, Executive Vice President cists in Charlottesville – which he the BC Alumni Association. Michael Lochhead and Provost and called “alarming, reprehensible and The GLI program, titled “In- Dean of Faculties David Quigley in conflict with American ideals and creasing Accountability, Over- each devoted part of their Convoca- values” – as an example of how “a sight and Integrity,” is supported tion addresses to “Ever to Excel: Ad- small, fringe group can provoke vioby a two-year grant of nearly $1 vancing Boston College’s Mission,” lence and endanger the common million from the State Depart- the 10-year Strategic Plan which lays good.” ment Bureau of International out four strategic directions for BC As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Narcotics and Law Enforcement in academics, student formation, re- Fr. Leahy said, BC faces a challenge Affairs (INL). search and other areas [see separate represented by the global shift to Boston College was among story]. greater secularization and less knowleight organizations awarded Initiatives to support the four edge of or involvement in religious grants by INL as part of an effort strategic directions include a new practices. More students come to BC to help Mexican police officials Institute for Integrated Science and seeking “meaning, purpose and comaddress policy and practical chal- Society, more endowed faculty po- munity in their lives,” but – lacking lenges while building partnerships sitions, an emphasis on interdisci- knowledge of the Christian mission and networks across international plinary study and collaboration, and or teachings of other religions – too often “are adrift in their lives.” borders. Other grant recipients upgraded facilities. Describing “Ever to Excel” as “Boston College must always be included Yale and Stanford universities, the Police Foundation, “ambitious and focused,” Fr. Leahy a place where people from varying and the International Association said the Strategic Plan will help BC to backgrounds, experiences, and talents “move forward with confidence and come together to grow as human of the Chiefs of Police. Continued on page 5 hope” and enable it to build on its Continued on page 5
BC Leaders Discuss ‘Ever to Excel,’ Challenges Ahead
GLI to Aid Mexican Police Professionalization BY SEAN SMITH CHRONICLE EDITOR
Lee Pellegrini
Boston College will assist Mexico in professionalizing its police force through a US State Department-funded program that includes seminars with BC faculty and consultations with peers in the law enforcement field. Developed by BC’s Global Leadership Institute, the Mexican Police Professionalization program – which begins later this fall – will bring 100 police officers from across Mexico during the coming months for discussions on accountability and civilian oversight. In addition to taking part in seminars at BC, the participants will talk with Boston-area and Massachusetts police, and repre-
Global Leadership Institute Executive Director Robert Mauro.
sentatives of civilian oversight organizations and other stakeholder groups. The officers will then travel to Seattle to learn about that city’s well-regarded programs on civilian oversight – among their contacts will be Seattle Police Commissioner Kathleen O’Toole
INSIDE
Year Convocation, •While You Were •McMullen to 3 •First Mass of the Holy Spirit 4 Away: Catching up 8 host three shows •BC expands alcohol sales at Alumni Stadium
on BC news from the past summer
this semester