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Dallas Expansion

MEMORANDUM


TO: Faculty, School of Pharmacy
FROM: Arthur Nelson, Jr., R.Ph., Ph.D., Dean
DATE: April 10, 2003
RE: Update of DFW 4-Year Satellite Pharm.D. Program

With the support of the Executive Committee, we are moving forward with our planning for a 4-year satellite program in DFW. I have asked the Ad Hoc Study Committee to begin more detailed planning to share with the faculty at its May 8, 2003 faculty meeting to secure the general consensus of the entire faculty in moving forward with this initiative.

In developing major program expansion plans like this, I believe the best strategy is to "layer" planning as the approval process progresses, and not try to have a complete operational plan that may need major revisions as various approval bodies consider the program expansion. We will require approval at each of the following levels in this process:

  1. Faculty, SOP (May 2003)
  2. University Administration (June 2003)
  3. Board of Regents (August 2003)
  4. Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (Fall 2003)
  5. American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (Spring 2004)

I have had preliminary discussion with the University Administration, THECB and the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education. Each has been encouraging. The Chancellor has provided the Regents with an informational item regarding our interests and they were also encouraging. The Executive Committee and Ad Hoc Planning Committee have also been favorable. Hence, we will bring the first two levels of the "layered" plan to the faculty at its May meeting for authorization to move forward with the process, or ways the faculty may direct to revise the directions. But note, we are not ready to deal with detailed operational plans at this time; only big picture items. Detailed operational plans will be formulated only after we move towards the higher levels of the process. Faculty will also have input at these stages as well.

The Executive Committee has endorsed the first layer of plans as a set of planning assumptions (see attached). These will guide the planning process, but are subject to revisions as appropriate or as additional information is discovered. I have charged the Ad Hoc Committee to draft the second layer by focusing on five sections of their initial report, dealing with:

My strategy is to have the faculty consider two broad issues at its May meeting: 1) The attached planning assumptions and 2) the second layer plans developed by the Ad Hoc Committee. Please provide any feedback you believe relevant to Dr. Leff, Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee, or any of the Ad Hoc Committee members, so that your ideas and concerns can be considered.

Thank you for your continued, positive, progressive attitude on the future development of the School. With talks of budget reductions dominating our thoughts, it may seem inappropriate to be planning such a resource intensive initiative. However, budget problems will not last forever, and if we don't make plans at this time, we will not be in an appropriate position to take advantage of the opportunities before us when resources begin to grow again. I know the leadership of the School of Pharmacy believes that further development of the School is anchored to this initiative. We need everyone's input, support and efforts if we are to obtain our goals.

Thank you.

Cc: Elmo Cavin, Acting President