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and Creativity Program, which supports independent research and creativity projects of
undergraduates during the fall and spring semesters as well as during the summer.
Finally, we propose that funds be available to support student travel to national and
regional conferences in order to present their projects. These opportunities enhance
student credentials and improve UK's national reputation for educational excellence.

       The fourth first-year experience option involves the concept of a living/learning
community. Students often find large research universities to be intimidating and resist
assimilation. A very effective way to circumvent this problem is to provide opportunities
for students to engage with smaller communities that have an academic dimension. The
most effective method for achieving this goal is to link residence life with the academic
experience. UK currently has several successful living/learning communities, and the
action plan calls for the development of at least one large program and four small
programs by 2002. In addition, we will promote more academic related activities within
residence halls. For example, residence halls can be used for classes, advising, and office
space for faculty, graduate students, and advisors.

       The third part of the action plan focuses on improving teaching and learning. One
way to do this is to encourage redesign of some course and programs. Another strategy is
to pursue the advantages of modem teaching-learning technologies where appropriate.
Equally important is the continued improvement in the on-the-job training of our
graduate teaching assistants. Rewarding departments for documented teaching success
and curriculum innovation can also promote greater commitment to the noble enterprise
of teaching. Lastly, we need to maintain and expand successful programs that improve
student learning, especially in difficult courses. For example, we need to expand the
successful Excel program that is now applied in math, chemistry, and biology.

       The fourth part of the action plan is the Academic Recovery Program. Too many
of our capable students are unsuccessful during their first semester. These students are
often those who succeeded in high school and have the ability to succeed in a university
but are unable to make the transition. Our plan is to: (1) identify these students early in
the fall semester and intervene in order to prevent academic probation, and (2) provide a
comprehensive, aggressive academic recovery program for those students who are placed
on academic probation during the spring semester. As a further prevention, we need to
improve the advising process for all of our students.

       In conclusion, we believe that by implementing this plan, UK can dramatically
improve the quality of the undergraduate experience in ways that allow more students to
successfully complete their education and become life long learners. When UK aspires to
become like such laudable institutions as the Universities of Michigan, Washington,
Wisconsin, Illinois and Penn State, we are committed to pursuing excellence in all of our
missions. Of particular importance is the realization that our benchmarks have achieved
their status because they have found ways to create excellence in undergraduate
education while also becoming renowned for research and graduate education. Quality
undergraduate education is the cornerstone of all successful research universities, and our
action plan is designed to exploit the reciprocal connections between undergraduate