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"We can become a great university within a relatively short period of time and take our place alongside the best universities in the world." In this spirit, GW President Lloyd Elliott created the Commission on the Year 2000 in January 1984.
The Commission was a panel of faculty members and administrators from across the University, chaired by Assistant Provost Marianne Phelps. The panelıs objective was to discuss and plan the future of GW. Elliott took the first step in the reorganization of the administration by splitting the previously joint offices of provost and vice president for academic affairs into two separate positions. Also, at Dean Jerome Barronıs advice, Elliott ended night classes at GW Law School, in an effort to elevate the Law Schoolıs rank. Then, in May 1985, the Commission produced a written report outlining the major long-term goals for the University.
The Commission agreed that if GW was to gain prestige and be competitive with other universities, it needed to expand its reputation as a research-conscious institution. Trustee Robert Smith helped arrange a gift to the University of 50 acres in Loudoun County, Va., from Washington Engineering Associates Limited Partnership. Officials decided that the Virginia campus would be used primarily as a research and development site, also offering 14 graduate programs and many non-degree professional courses. At the Foggy Bottom campus, new Vice President for Academic Affairs Rob French developed the University Seminars Program, a forum for GW faculty and outside scholars.
In a pamphlet published by the commission, the academic curriculum goals were stated for various departments and schools. Acknowledging that the Columbian College
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