March 2002

Power of the student experience, both undergraduate, graduate and professional. Most schools felt their delivery system was the best in higher education. A premium is placed on meaningful student-faculty interactions in the classroom and research activities, bolstering the sense of the University’s community. At the same time, there is a commitment to developing leadership qualities of the students.

UVa. is one of the smaller "flagship" universities in the country, and therefore its schools and departments are more adept at creating partnerships and collaborating. In a similar way, the contiguity of different schools in the University fosters collaboration. All schools have an interest in expanding collaboration and joint venture opportunities between departments and schools in research, teaching and other areas.

A strong sense of values exists in each school, grounded in the Jeffersonian foundations of the University. This is a crucial element in creating and nurturing UVa.’s strong community. Similarly, the schools are committed to integrating ethics into the curriculum.

Compared with our peers, the University is a leader in balancing commitment to teaching and research, and puts an emphasis on providing undergraduate research experience.

The University has a commitment to public service as an expression of the Jeffersonian ideal for education. Service is ingrained into the culture of many of the units. Besides their primary audiences of students and patients, they are focused on providing service to the Commonwealth and to the community.

The University is a digital leader. Most schools are committed to further integrating technology into the curriculum.

A unique sense of place helps to define the University.