As we begin a new academic year, I am very pleased to welcome back to Juilliard all members of our community. The summer months have traditionally been a time to refresh ourselves artistically, physically, and mentally, away from the confines of school, Lincoln Center, and New York City.

The new year promises to be one filled with the numerous presentations in dance, drama, and music for which Juilliard has always been renowned. In addition, this year will be dedicated to a series of experiences which will allow the community to evaluate itself internally, with a goal of setting a strategic plan for our future in the areas of academics, artistic initiatives, community quality of life, and special events.

Specifically, I plan to initiate the following experiences:

• I will host a monthly luncheon beginning in late September for about 15 to 20 students, which will also be attended by senior administrators and faculty. An open agenda for each luncheon will allow students to discuss issues which are of particular interest to them, and which can be acted upon in a timely manner.
• A series of half-day to daylong special meetings, or retreats, will be held for students, faculty, administrators, and trustees to discuss, in depth, programs and initiatives at Juilliard. Currently, two retreat topics-educational outreach and implementation of the Larkin Program for the Humanities, an initiative dealing with non-performance related studies at Juilliard-have been proposed for review.
• A special student committee will be formed to work on plans for the Juilliard Centennial in the 2005-06 academic year.
• My colleagues and I will meet in mid-September with student representatives to devise ways that students may have regular access to administrators and faculty in order to voice concerns and present initiatives for the future.

I welcome other ways that our students can be substantively involved in the Juilliard experience, and invite interested students to meet with me during my regular office hours on Mondays from 2-3 p.m. or at other times on an appointment basis. You may contact Martha Sterner at extension 201 or drop by our office during business hours to make an appointment.

These initiatives, and others, should allow Juilliard to become a more responsive and sensitive institution for all members of the community. I look forward to your participation.

-Joseph W. Polisi