This University of Michigan’s special emphasis self-study, as well as this institutional summary demonstrating compliance with the Commission’s criteria for accreditation and general institutional requirements, is both a measure of the University's achievement in meeting its mission and purposes and a view of how the University is prepared to maintain its leadership and excellence during the coming years. The last decade has seen change within the University–new leadership, new facilities, new programs. It has also seen great change across the wider landscape. The University is well-positioned to respond to this change.

The self-study report, New Openings for the Research University: Advancing Collaborative, Integrative, and Interdisciplinary Research and Learning, demonstrates institution-wide commitment to address key issues shaping higher education at a moment of rapid and acute transitions. It has allowed the University to reflect on an extraordinary record of success as well as to take inventory of some key areas to address and improve. The University is setting fresh agendas and meeting the highest standards for advancing and improving its ability to provide for the very best research and learning in the coming years.

The summary of institutional governance, resources, facilities, processes, and programs demonstrates the University’s success in maintaining a public research university that is a great resource for higher learning for the State of Michigan and for the nation. It also shows how the University continuously reflects on and improves its programs and activities to meet changing needs. The University, on a daily basis, demonstrates the highest standards of integrity and commitment to the values of diversity and equality.

As an opportunity for institutional reflection and strategic thinking, this self-study effort has contributed to the University’s ongoing attention to new ideas and approaches. It recognizes the excellence of its individual schools, colleges, and divisions that thrive in a decentralized environment of responsibility and opportunity. No less, it has confirmed that the University of Michigan’s greatness lies in the sum of its parts. Connection among its faculty, students, and staff, and collaborations across its schools, colleges, and divisions, enable and enliven a unique community of learning. The University of Michigan is dedicated to building pluralism and diversity of its members as well as to opening new paths of research and learning that link its many remarkable academic units and programs.

With a commitment to self-reflection and continuous improvement, the University looks forward to the excitement and challenge of the coming decade, and seeks reaccreditation from the Commission.