Chancellor Boschini shares TCU's Vision for the Future

Fort Worth, TX February 28, 2012

TCU's Board of Trustees has approved an aggressive, ambitious vision for TCU to move it to the next level in higher education by focusing on three key strategic areas: academic profile and reputation; size and balance; and campus environment.

"Over the past six years, guided by our strategic plan Vision in Action, Texas Christian University has experienced unbelievable momentum,” said Chancellor Victor J. Boschini, Jr. “However, there is still more work to be done to make TCU an even better TCU."

Accomplishments over the past six years include:

• A multitude of new scholarships and endowed chairs/professorships
• A completely transformed physical campus
• An all-time high for applications
• A successful completion of the Campaign for TCU, which raised more than $415 million, including $95.7 million toward a $100 million scholarship initiative
• New institutes, programs and partnerships
• Recognition by U.S. News & World Report as a top 20 up-and-coming university.

The Chancellor noted that as the University looks toward its future, it must consider its academy of tomorrow and how it can become a truly great national university.

 

Academic Profile
To move the University to the next level, the Board voted to improve the university’s academic profile and reputation by increasing the target SAT score to 1200 on a 1600-point scale and the target ACT score to 27 on a 36-point scale. To maintain the person-centered university, the board voted to maintain the 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio and to strengthen targeted programs by making investments in personnel, program expansion, support, services and facilities. The university will initially focus on strengthening and meeting current demands of programs in the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences, the Neeley School of Business, Mary Couts Burnett Library, the TCU Energy Institute, and the John V. Roach Honors College.

 

Size and Balance

Regarding the ideal size and balance for TCU, the Board approved a targeted total enrollment ceiling of 10,000, with a mix of 8,500 undergraduates and 1,500 graduate students. Additionally, the board approved a balance for undergraduate students that would include 60 percent of undergraduates from Texas and 40 percent from out-of-state; a diverse student body reflective of society; and a 50/50 balance of undergraduate male and female students.

 

Campus Environment

In order to create an optimal campus environment, the Board approved three main initiatives:

• Optimization of current campus facilities through more efficient use of classroom space; creation of more faculty office space within colleges and schools; creation of flexible interdisciplinary space; and continued emphasis on facilities that ensure the vibrancy of student life
• Creation of an Intellectual Commons on the east side of campus that will include facilities such as the repurposed library and others to create a more vibrant academic setting
• Housing every undergraduate on campus, as long as there is demand for the full residential experience; renovation of Colby Hall, the last original residence hall remaining in need of renovation; and planning for a Greek Village Project in Worth Hills.

To share more about the decisions made at the recent Board meeting with the campus community, the Chancellor will host a town hall meeting March 7 at noon in the BLUU auditorium on campus.