Academic Planning Process

College of Medicine Input Sessions

Dr. Wexler led the session and gave a background of Dr. Zimpher’s goal of creating a comprehensive academic action plan which would now follow the Master Plan.  The Town Meetings should go on all levels.  This group should give the President the thoughts and input of medical students.  The goals that translate into resources need to be continually defined.  Dr. Zimpher’s video was played and the three questions were addressed.

Q1:  What is your vision of UC’s leadership role in the 21st century?

• Are we talking about Main Campus or the College of Medicine?  A: both.  The COM per se or the picture of the university as a whole
• Better integration between East and West campus.  A better way to take advantage of their resources:  exercise facilities, library (finding resources could be on one of 4 campuses).  Centralized laboratory resources/research areas.
• Difficult to park on West Campus. Eden parking passes do not work on West campus.
• Easier access both ways – from West to East and East to West.  Bus service stops at 8 pm
• From a UC undergrad:  West campus has good scientific researchers and medical and experimental things going on at West campus. Rieveshal should be part of East campus.  Scientific cross talk – sharing of knowledge both directions.
• Access to undergraduates who might be interested in medicine.  What is the barrier:  no resource person on main campus. Only one person in pre-med to represent East campus.
• We can be an access to the undergrad students who are interested in medical school
• West campus does a poor job in pre-med reps – they are hard to find.
• Low numbers of pre-med students at UC.  Few outstanding pre-med students.
• Create preceptor opportunities for pre-med students.  Doesn’t seem to be easier for pre-med to join the medical school.
• Model other universities and how they connect with the pre-med students and classes.

Q:  What strategic steps and resources are required to realize that future?

• Tuition free medical school, improvement in scholarship funding to attract the very best candidates.
• Major capital funding drive to support medical students.
• Model University of Michigan and other state schools
• Better/more comprehensive financial underpinnings to allow for increased scholarship endowment.
• Build up research side of the institution.  Continue increased research funding.
• Recruit better faculty to build up national and international reputation. 
• Integrate clinical and research programs.
• UC has great architectural structures, but the interior needs work – structurally and programmatically
• Publicity:  a lot goes on here that the general population does not know about.  Marketing and PR should show what UC does for the region
• UC receives more patent money in the three state area – not publicized.
• No feeling of drive and push for the students who are not interested in research and what you can look at for outcome statistics.  What percentage of medical students are placing in one of their top 3 match choices? How many students match in academic health centers or in the “top” programs?
• % of students happy where they are placed.
• Survey results from R1s and their perception of their education here.
• External PR needs to be significantly improved.
• At UC, CCM, COM and DAAP are in rankings, but other things fall off the radar.  Investment is high in the three colleges.  Biomedical engineering program and others could benefit from capitalizing on the halo effect. The university should be as strong in all respects and not just a few.

Q:  What outcomes should we hold ourselves accountable for in realizing this vision for UC?

• UC should be in the top 20
• Top 10 of public institutions in primary care and research
• Requires marketing and PR to get the name out when USN&WR ranks are published.
• Highlight activities outside the classroom including outreach community activities.
• UC should create a better community connection as a resource for the city. 
• No collective effort for the faculty to be noted for their community work
• Improve community perception of University Hospital
• Include local HS students as part of the focus group
• UC is still viewed as community college which is a negative perception locally.
• Undergrad recruitment at UC focuses on recruiting “all inclusive” versus “academic excellence” to a mutually exclusive result.
• UC to take a role in the enhancement of public education in Cincinnati.
• Bad elementary/HS education reflects on the university
• The inclusive nature of UC should influence the conservative nature and negative perception of Cincinnati including Corryville and Clifton. 
• UC: strong athletic base generates funds. Compete with OSU in 5 years in football.  The community is not aware of football – PR issues
• UC undergrad needs to build a strong arts and science program (especially biology)
• Access to university and community relations – not living in the area – integration with the neighborhood.  General safety and lighting and patrol of the neighborhood.
• Thefts and break-in the garage and neighborhood housing. Patrols are ineffective even if they are physically present.
• Expect the best of what we do.  Expect the best at all levels.
• Not a lot of people are proud of UC.
• UC has good business school and good medical school, but no integration of programs.
• UC needs to add a School of Public Health.
• UC should encourage educational diversity – MBA in ‘voice’ for an otolaryngologist.
• Focus on halo effect.  Becoming a top 10 medical school will increase the reputation of the entire university.
• Alumni should be more involved with the students to encourage future activity after graduation.  Programs may exist, but they are not publicized.
• ‘Meet and Greet’ session with alumni.  List of alumni in cities to aid students when they are traveling.  Hearing stories of alumni experience should be promoted e.g. informal alumni dinner.

Dr. Wexler thanked the students for attending and for their input. 

Recorder: 
Julie Valente
College of Medicine

COM Student Leader Meeting
Comprehensive Action Planning Process
Flip Chart notes

  1.      What should UC look like?

• Integration of East and West, e.g. facilities at WC
• Centralized library resources
• Easier access for both ways
• Scientific cross talk
• Access to premed students and integration with COM
• Access to COM by undergrads

2.      Better, comprehensive financial underpinnings

• Increase school endowments
• Increase research funding by fostering more investigators at COM but even more at West campus
• Invest in senior faculty and infrastructure
• Better public relations
• Role in community
• Patents

3.      Residency placements – how to increase?

• Increase ranking in USNWR to top 20 or top 10
• Top ranking in both primary care and research
• Fix University Hospital

4.      UC and Cincinnati Public Schools

• Take increased role in improving Cincinnati Public Schools
• Influence city political/social climate
• Increase business/residential quality in and around UC
• Transportation
• Sports

5.      Stronger Arts and Sciences (especially biology)

• Access to University
• Neighborhoods

§         Safety

§         Highways

§         Residential property

6.      Expect the best

7.      MBA with health focus