Kevin Chavous
A Mayor for every neighborhood

The University of the District of Columbia

Kevin Chavous strongly supports the University of the District of Columbia. As a low-cost, high quality institution, it has provided an invaluable educational opportunity for our students and their families. Kevin Chavous’ administration will work closely with UDC and its Board to develop a strong, committed partnership with regional employers and to explore the initiatives needed to position UDC as an institution for life-long learning and professional training.

Kevin Chavous’ Proposals

1. Maintain UDC as a four-year degree-granting institution

No one should minimize how important it is that UDC continue as a four-year degree granting institution. Students, who for a variety of reasons have not been able to obtain higher education, are given another chance at UDC. Kevin Chavous battled for financial support for the Allied Health and Technology Programs in the FY 1999 budget. These enhancements will help prepare students for both our local and national workplace. UDC students in the allied health field are successfully placed in service and leadership roles, both locally and nationally.

II. Appoint Directors with personal and professional dedication to higher education

The university must work aggressively and efficiently to respond to the changing needs of District residents. The university must have competent leadership that connects with District residents. Appointees to UDC’s Board of Directors should have experience with urban universities and a demonstrated personal and professional dedication to higher education. They must be able to guide policy and contribute to fundraising and corporate development. Traditional funding patterns are not guaranteed, yet UDC’s administration must operate in a stable-funding environment to enact viable reform.

III. Clarify UDC’s mission and improve accountability

UDC and its Board have much work to do:

• The mission of the university needs to be revisited. As an Urban Land Grant Institution, it has specific educational obligations (in the form of service to the community). UDC must clarify and meet its obligations to the residents of the District.
• The strategic plan for the university must merge its strengths with the current demands for educational offerings expressed by DC residents.
• UDC governance must ensure representation in the decision-making process by key stakeholders in the community.
• UDC must be held accountable for the success rates of the students.
• The Board must establish a review process that ensures that the university is meeting the stated goals, strategic plan and objectives for residents both in DC and in the metropolitan region.
• UDC must establish evaluation procedures for administration and staff.
• Partnerships must be established with universities in the DC area to ensure that UDC graduates have the opportunity to be admitted to graduate programs not offered by UDC.
• Partnerships must be established with the major industries and professional associations in the DC area to ensure that UDC is responding to the needs for professional training and retraining.