Learning is more a function of critical thinking than being right. Purposeful experimentation is more important than predictive planning. T hese are three basic guidelines, if taken by the heart by those of us in the college, can make a profound difference in the way we approach our responsibilities, in the way we interact and relate to each other and our many partners, and in the way we extend our discoveries to others within the College and beyond. It is critical that we work to create a common understanding of this new culture, to strengthen our organizational environment and improve our efforts. In an effort to help clarify the dimensions of this cultural change, let me tell you a little more about what each of these new guiding principles means.
Questions are more compelling than answers.
If we embrace this culture of experimentation successfully, we will create more questions than answers. This phenomenon will point the way to newer and even greater discoveries and learning, and, as I emphasized during my speech, a climate of dynamic renewal. This process can serve us well as the catalyst for directing our work for many years to come. Learning is more a function of critical learning than being right. Another fundamental piece of this new culture if that risk-taking is to be encouraged and failure will be accepted as part of the learning process.