SIS' Board of Visitors holds annual meeting
10/13/2015
The University of Pittsburgh’s School of Information Sciences (SIS) was delighted to welcome its Board of Visitors (BOV) to Pittsburgh for their annual meeting that was held Monday, October 12 and Tuesday, October 13. The BOV recommends both long-term strategies and short-term projects, and is comprised of innovative leaders in higher education and industry. Board members, who live and work all over the country, travel to SIS once a year in order to attend this key meeting
This year, the meeting largely focused on the Provost Beeson’s suggested consolidation of SIS and the Department of Computer Science (CS) into one new academic unit. As part of considering such a consolidation, several committees 
comprised of faculty from both SIS and CS have formed to assess topics such as education and curriculum, research and collaboration, vision and identity, and organizational structure. Monday’s agenda included these committees presenting status updates on their progress and exploration of these topics. Dean Larsen, as well as the Chairs from SIS’ undergraduate and graduate programs, also provided updates to the Board.
Also on Monday’s busy agenda were presentations by the University of Pittsburgh’s Office of the Provost to further detail Pitt’s objectives and expectations surrounding the suggested consolidation. Meeting attendees also enjoyed a mini poster session where SIS and CS students presented their work to the Board and special guests, followed by Provost Patty Beeson’s charge to the Board where she encouraged the group to seize this opportunity and help deliver a proposal that would truly make an impact on the University, the region, and the world.
Most of Tuesday's agenda took place during a closed executive session where the BOV privately reviewed all of the presentations, considered their findings, and began to formulate their recommendations. The Board, led by Al Moyé, will make a formal report of their recommendations.
We are grateful to have such a thoughtful and engaged Board and appreciate each participant for their contributions toward making this year’s meeting such a success!
