Elizabeth S. Chilton

This report outlines the proposed UNH Discovery Program, a revised General Education program designed to provide a common and unifying framework for the undergraduate experience. The program focuses on developing competent and confident learners for a lifetime of discovery through three main segments: a comprehensive First Year Experience, ten distinct Discovery Areas covering a breadth of knowledge, and an integrated Major and Capstone Experience. Key components include assessments in mathematics and information technology, a University Dialogue, an Inquiry Course, and a strong emphasis on Writing Across the Curriculum and interdisciplinary study. The plan aims to strengthen education, foster a sense of community, and link general education with major areas of study.

The strategic plan envisions the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in 2030 as a first-choice destination for students, known for interdisciplinary education and research excellence, a commitment to well-being and belonging, and strengthening UNH's impact on the state. It focuses on enhancing academic excellence, student experience, and competitive advantage, while also prioritizing community and economic vitality, research-driven solutions, workforce readiness, and business growth in New Hampshire.

The strategic plan focuses on several key areas: implementing a comprehensive prevention plan against sexual misconduct, improving reporting experiences and clarifying options for victims, expanding required training for faculty, students, and staff, and addressing student safety concerns. Key actions include increasing staffing in violence prevention offices, standardizing first-year experience courses with core topics on sexual health and well-being, restructuring sexual violence committees, improving promotion of safety apps, conducting regular climate surveys, providing information on legal aid, updating the Affirmative Action & Equity Office website, combining policies into a comprehensive sexual misconduct policy, redesigning the Student Code of Conduct, ensuring faculty training, tailoring prevention initiatives for key student groups, reviewing emergency calling options in residence halls, developing a dashboard with data on sexual misconduct reports, ensuring background checks for employees, requiring students to agree to the Code of Conduct, resuming annual lighting reviews, improving strategies for accompanied travel at night, and implementing required annual training on sexual harassment and violence.