1. A new reality … UVM’s new reality is reflected in a sample of recent Free Press headlines –Editorial: “Change at UVM” –“UVM trustees approve student commons project” –“Trustees back UVM’s grand vision” –“Corran’s first 12 months redefined UVM Sports” –“UVM packed with products that could use business incubator” –“UVM launches cradle for Vermont innovators” –“Ghana transplants thrive at UVM” –“Diversity efforts begin to pay off” –“UVM stands on verge of transformation” –Editorial: “A positive spirit”

3. A new reality … Research and grant awards reached a record high of $124.7 million, a 6% increase over last year and a 67% increase of the the 2000 total of $74.5 million. Financial feasibility study completed, accepted by board. In 2003/2004, UVM was10 th in nation per capita in federal earmarks, registering a 107% funding increase over the preceding year.

5. A new reality … This fall we enrolled 208 more students than in fall 2003 and 58 more than projected in the vision. Comprehensive campaign total now stands at $171 million, 69% of the goal.

8. A new reality … –Very positive five-year accreditation report from Commission of Institutions of Higher Education and New England Association of Schools and Colleges. UVM commended for: “… its many successes and growth over the past five years, particularly given significant challenges, and for attending so effectively to areas of concern articulated in the last comprehensive review.” For instance, –Robust structure developed to support strategic planning process –Launching of comprehensive campaign in 2003 –Increased success in external research funding –$120 million renovation of residence halls –Construction of $118 million medical research facility –Initiatives taken in developing assessment activities related to budget, program support, and, student learning. –“Considerable progress” in enrollment, retention and graduation rates, and diversity

10. A new reality … UVM’s invest-and-grow strategy was featured in the Sunday New York Times, on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition, and on National Public Radio’s Talk of the Nation President Fogel was interviewed on the News Hour with Jim Lehrer on the Michigan affirmative action case Two UVM faculty were featured on the Today Show in space of two weeks (Jean Harvey Berino, David Fassler)

12. A new reality …  Boston Globe  Baltimore Sun  Science  Science News  New York Times  Washington Post  San Francisco Chronicle  Scientific American  Wall Street Journal UVM programs covered and UVM faculty quoted or featured in:  The Economist  Chicago Tribune  Education Week  Baltimore Sun  Seattle Post  Intelligencer  Los Angeles Times  Philadelphia Inquirer  Self  Christian Science Monitor …among many others. …among many others.

14. A new reality … Associated Press national story prominently featured UVM Honors College this month –Appeared as lead story on CNN home page, in USA Today, and in dozens of other major newspapers across country Wall Street Journal ranked UVM #18 among publics for graduate school placement

15. Bronwyn Stippa had all but made up her mind to attend New York University, a top-notch private college. A campus visit to the University of Vermont, where she'd been accepted to a new honors college, was just a favor to her parents. "I came up and it was just mind-blowing," she said. "I totally did a 180." Vermont promised her access to top professors and special courses, and a financial aid package that dwarfed NYU's. Since she enrolled, Vermont has also shown it can push her just as hard as any private college. "Coming here, I figured I would have to challenge myself more, that it would be maybe easier than going to NYU," said Stippa, a freshman from Coxsackie, New York. "I'm realizing that's not the case at all."

16. Invest & Grow Strategy Is Already Paying Dividends –New Honors College –New attitude, sense of pride among constituents –Achieved nearly half of enrollment growth goals –Investing in new faculty positions –Growth in research funding –Increased power and quality of graduate programs –Big growth in ALANA students

17. Bronwyn Stippa had all but made up her mind to attend New York University. A campus visit to the University of Vermont, where she'd been accepted to a new honors college, was just a favor to her parents. “I came up and it was just mind- blowing,” she said. “I totally did a 180.” Vermont promised Stippa, a freshman from Coxsackie, N.Y., access to top professors and special courses, and a financial aid package that dwarfed NYU's. In an effort to lure students like Stippa, public universities around the country are rapidly developing honors colleges that advertise the cozy qualities of a liberal arts college within the walls of a university. For students, an honors college can be the educational equivalent of an upgrade to first-class from coach — smaller classes, priority scheduling, research opportunities, and a residence hall where they can rub shoulders with fellow overachievers. The rapid expansion has raised some concerns about how honors colleges fit into the mission of state universities, and about whether some schools are rushing them out in response to competitive pressure. But supporters say educating the best and the brightest helps educate everyone else. “You want to use the most committed students to help set the tone for the university,” said Bob Taylor, dean of the new honors college at Vermont.

18. Invest & Grow Strategy Is Already Paying Dividends –Raised 69% of campaign goal –Key driver of Vermont’s #1 rank in graduation rates –Investing in Vermont’s economy –New facilities to benefit academic programs (Ag, Geology, CESS, Biomedical) –Enhanced athletic success, student event participation