Board of Visitors - October 9-10, 2007
October 15, 2007
The SIS Board of Visitors met on campus last week. Materials supporting the meeting can be found at http://www.sis.pitt.edu/~sisbov/ . Board members explored strategic opportunities for SIS, considered challenges facing the Telecommunications program, and reflected on techniques we might try in order to improve our fund raising.
The Board identified social networking as an emerging area of potentially strategic significance, for which SIS is well-positioned to excel. They suggested that the aging demographic of Pittsburgh provides a community to be served and one whose knowledge and expertise should also be preserved.
The Board expressed concern over the persistence of low enrollment in the Telecommunications and Networking program, suggesting that stronger linkages to industry would help, both in terms of aligning the curriculum with employer needs and in fostering research addressing industry needs.
Regarding fund-raising, the Board further suggested using social networking as a means of growing and sustaining a network of alumni and friends who may also become contributors to the School in a variety of ways.
The full report of the meeting will be available following its review and approval by the Board.