And that knowledge fuels the services that the University brings to regional, national, and international constituencies. We can't push research at the expense of teaching. All things must be balanced. I believe the plan is going to be successful by necessity of the financial stringency at the University. We must put our heads together to maintain the momentum that propelled the University to its current status and go beyond that.
Units sometimes plan in competition rather than in cooperation, and that's detrimental.
The plan represents a new way of thinking about what can be gained by student and faculty involvement across academic lines and social and cultural perspectives. The kind of collaborative efforts that the strategic plan encourages are those that enhance educational offerings while conserving limited resources. The plan explains that future growth in instruction and research will build on strong programs that already exist at Rutgers. These areas were selected, first, because Rutgers has already demonstrated great strength in them and, second, because they are integral to public needs. Within these areas, Rutgers will undertake multidisciplinary initiatives of unique academic or social significance.