University of Utah President Taylor Randall announced today the formation of an internal team that will prepare a transition plan for his first year as president. The Operation Bold Transition Team, named after the new president’s charge to the university to be bold in its aspirations, will meet twice a week over the next four weeks to create a carefully crafted transition plan by Sept. 1, 2021.

“I’ve asked the transition team to design a process for me to meet with every school and college over the next 90 days to listen and learn about the plans, priorities and major issues they face,” said Randall. “I also plan to meet with student and faculty leaders and leaders of U of U Health enterprise, including the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the Huntsman Mental Health Institute, to become more familiar with the challenges and opportunities we face.”

Vice President for Research Andrew Weyrich and Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute Director Natalie Gochnour will co-chair the transition team. The group includes several deans, department chairs and representatives of students, hospitals, athletics and other senior U leadership. Randall directed the team to align with and complement the U’s current strategic plan, Strategy 2025. This plan, developed in 2019 under President Ruth Watkins’ leadership, includes core values and strategic objectives for the U.

“I support the U’s existing strategic plan, which calls for the U to be a model public university and remain focused on building an equitable and inclusive campus community,” said Randall. “I’m specifically interested in drawing out three areas of focus: Research creativity and innovation, student experiences, and our One U initiative, which in addition to uniting our campus and serving all of Utah, invites all people to participate in the bounties of higher education.”