Cornell University 2011-2012 Annual Report - DFA Home - Cornell ...

President’s MessageDear Cornellians and Friends of the University:Three years ago, when Cornell University embarked upon a comprehensive strategicplanning process to guide us toward the university’s sesquicentennial, we sought notonly to chart a path toward greater excellence through connectivity and focus, but alsoto establish metrics and assessment procedures by which we could documentour progress.Cornell University’s Annual Report for 2011–2012 assesses the progress we have madeduring the first two years of implementation of “Cornell at its Sesquicentennial: AStrategic Plan 2010–2015.”Within these pages you will find updates on each of the seven strategic initiatives setforth in the plan—from faculty renewal to fostering a supportive culture for teaching,from stimulating cross-college connections to creating a more diverse community,from enhancing infrastructure to advancing critical departments and fields and ourcapabilities for public engagement.Combined with wide-ranging vignettes from the past year at Cornell—captured in wordsand photographs—and a detailed financial statement, the 2011–2012 Cornell AnnualReport breaks new ground in conveying the metrics and the data that underlie ourprogress. I hope you enjoy the report and will share my pride in our university and thepath toward even greater excellence we have chosen to pursue.5