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+----- Thread: JMU Change of Status (/thread-895119.html)
JMU Change of Status - Longhorn - 02-26-2020 07:21 PM
The following email was distributed today from the Provost. This is what some of you have been waiting to hear:
I have heard from many of you in the last few weeks regarding National recognition as a Carnegie High Research Activity University. I want to share some information on our status that was also given to the Board of Visitors at their February meeting.
As a result of your dedicated efforts, and those of your fellow faculty, we anticipate that Carnegie will classify JMU as a Doctoral University with High Research Activity in 2022. With this comes recognition as a National Institution.
Please be reassured that this external re-classification will not change JMU’s mission or vision. Instead, it reflects our longstanding accomplishments and institutional values. This is a recognition of the diversity of faculty research across the campus, the outstanding academic programs we offer, and our commitment to our undergraduate and graduate students.
JMU arrived at this point organically as a result of graduate program growth and increased research activity. The Carnegie Institution will be reclassifying institutions in October 2021 based on 2019-2020 data. Based on the growth of our doctoral programs, combined with student, faculty and university research expenditures well over $5 million, JMU will land firmly in the High Research Activity University category. We are fortunate to have the next 18 months to strategically position ourselves in how we mark this transition. We will have time for reflection and long-range planning, with the opportunity to gather your input, to hear your concerns, and synthesize these together.
JMU’s new classification would take effect in February 2022, and while there will be changes, our core priorities remain the same. This new status recognizes JMU’s continued excellence in teaching, which remains central to who we are. We will safeguard our eligibility for NSF funding as an undergraduate research institution with our strong commitment to undergraduate research in NSF fields. Another area for our thoughtful review is the resourcing and support of existing high-research doctoral programs.
National status offers important potential benefits for us as we highlight our faculty research and teaching excellence on a much larger stage. A change in our designation from a public regional institution to National status will bring JMU to the attention of new applicants from abroad and other areas of the nation. In the context of national trends in higher education, especially the decline in numbers of college-age applicants over the next decade, this is a promising development for us.
With all change comes some uncertainty, and I will be transparent regarding what this means for you as faculty while we move forward. Know that issues like defining standards for P&T and annual evaluation, including for those for research, will remain in faculty hands as they always have. Your feedback will be crucial in determining how we adapt. As we continue to improve what we already do with distinction in Academic Affairs, let’s leverage this new status for the advantages it can offer. More information will be coming soon.
Being named a High Research Activity University does not mark a course change for our institution, but a recognition of what we have long been. I encourage us all to embrace the possibilities and collaborate to determine the future of JMU.
Heather Coltman, D.M.A.
Provost and Senior Vice President
RE: JMU Change of Status - Rock House Duke - 02-26-2020 07:27 PM
Thanks for sharing LH. This is fantastic news!
JMU Change of Status - Centdukesfan - 02-26-2020 07:28 PM
This is tight, right?
RE: JMU Change of Status - Longhorn - 02-26-2020 07:31 PM
(02-26-2020 07:28 PM)Centdukesfan Wrote: This is tight, right?
It's the real deal.
RE: JMU Change of Status - jmufbs - 02-26-2020 08:02 PM
2022 timing looks to be about the same time we transition to the AAC.
RE: JMU Change of Status - Wear Purple - 02-26-2020 08:09 PM
I blame Alger and Bourne.
RE: JMU Change of Status - jmufan2008 - 02-26-2020 08:17 PM
YESSSS!!!!!
Fantastic news. Thanks for sharing LH. Been waiting a long time to see JMU recognized for the high-level university that it is. Hopefully the change will encourage at least a moderate increase in donations, also.
Will be tough to wait around through the next couple years of regional rankings until we officially get moved up.
RE: JMU Change of Status - Anders - 02-26-2020 08:37 PM
Thanks for sharing LH! Best off season news we will likely get.
Edit: Off-season sounds bad. Best football off-season news.
RE: JMU Change of Status - Hart Foundation - 02-26-2020 08:38 PM
So will JMU start offering a PhD in basketball? Maybe produce some greats like Dr James Naismith, Dr Tom Davis, Doc Rivers, Dr J, or Darrell Griffith (Dr Dunkenstein)
RE: JMU Change of Status - olddawg - 02-26-2020 08:56 PM
That is fantastic news! For most of us, it doesn't change how we view our JMU. To the outside world, it apparently carries some weight. Another feather in our cap and a big medal to wear on our dress uniform!
RE: JMU Change of Status - Deez Nuts - 02-26-2020 09:30 PM
Awesome. Looking forward to that press release!
RE: JMU Change of Status - Purplehazed - 02-26-2020 09:43 PM
Bravo
RE: JMU Change of Status - BleedingPurple - 02-26-2020 09:48 PM
This is really cool news. Thanks, Longhorn!
JMU Change of Status - JMUDunk - 02-27-2020 07:11 AM
Great news. Long overdue IMO.
Been a lot of great work going on there by more than a few very impressive people for a looooong time.
Top of the “regionals”? Fine for when and what it was, not who we’ve been for 30 years by now.
Well done JMU, well done.
RE: JMU Change of Status - 82hawk - 02-27-2020 07:30 AM
FYI, not sure how the Virginia State Legislature views this but UNCW just obtained that classification last year. Our legislature allocates additional funding to the schools with this classification because it is the second highest classification Carnegie offers. What it will mean for UNCW is higher pay for all employees at the university, additional monies to increase doctoral programs and additional assistance in securing research grants.
Just to give you an idea of how research money impacts a university, UNC Chapel Hill had ONE BILLION dollars in research money flow through the university last year alone. That money is usually spent locally to hire researchers and to contract with local companies, so it has a direct economic impact on the region. North Carolina State had about $300 million and the rest of the UNC system schools were at $50 million or less.
It's a great achievement, but if your system is like ours the impact won't start for about five years, then it will grow rapidly and consistently.
RE: JMU Change of Status - Longhorn - 02-27-2020 08:09 AM
(02-27-2020 07:11 AM)JMUDunk Wrote: Great news. Long overdue IMO.
Been a lot of great work going on there by more than a few very impressive people for a looooong time.
Top of the “regionals”? Fine for when and what it was, not who we’ve been for 30 years by now.
Well done JMU, well done.
Not sure I can agree that this new classification/status described JMU 30 years ago, however, it is an important and historic achievement JMU has been steadily working towards over these past three decades. It’s a process...rather an “organic” one as the Provost describes it, not simply a matter of adding more doctoral programs as some on this board have argued. JMU is still a couple years away from the reclassification, but thought the faithful on this board would appreciate its importance.
JMU Change of Status - JMUDunk - 02-27-2020 08:29 AM
Nah, didn’t really mean that we were ready to go back then. More that we’ve had more than a few amazing faculty, graduates and students all along the way and they could easily stack up against near anyone out there.
It takes critical mass, seems we have now reached that. Well deserved, well earned.
Very much appreciate you posting that. Exciting (in kinda a nerd out way) to read.
RE: JMU Change of Status - Longhorn - 02-27-2020 08:42 AM
(02-27-2020 08:29 AM)JMUDunk Wrote: Nah, didn’t really mean that we were ready to go back then. More that we’ve had more than a few amazing faculty, graduates and students all along the way and they could easily stack up against near anyone out there.
It takes critical mass, seems we have now reached that. Well deserved, well earned.
Very much appreciate you posting that. Exciting (in kinda a nerd out way) to read.
The great news shared by the Provost is confirmation of what you’ve written, and supports what all loyal JMUers have long known to be true. JMU is simply an amazing university, and it’s getting stronger and better and picking up momentum everyday.
Now, if only we can hire a MBB HC to turn the dang program into a winner again!
RE: JMU Change of Status - JMU - 02-27-2020 08:42 AM
This is great news. Any idea where we would be in the national rankings?
RE: JMU Change of Status - Longhorn - 02-27-2020 08:45 AM
(02-27-2020 08:42 AM)JMU Wrote: This is great news. Any idea where we would be in the national rankings?
Not a clue. That will be something to watch for...although all rankings are subject to factors that are not purely quantifiable.