The University of Texas at Austin
Dear College of Natural Sciences and School of Information community members,
The University of Texas at Austin possesses wide-ranging strengths at a time when artificial intelligence and related technologies are changing how we live, work and learn. Our University offers true excellence in designing information systems and services that benefit humanity; in powering models and decision-making tools through statistics, data science and machine learning; and in extensive computing expertise. Across both CNS and the iSchool, we have been able to establish meaningful and productive collaborations that capitalize on many of these strengths, with faculty members working together to explore ethical uses of AI, human-centered applications of technologies and innovative curricula for students. 
A new vision for capitalizing on our strengths and collaboration is now emerging from campus leaders. We, along with University, college, school and departmental leaders, have begun exploring this vision, and the University plans to request of the UT System Board of Regents the establishment of a new school within the College of Natural Sciences. This new school would bring together three areas — Computer Science, Statistics and Data Sciences, and Information. The planned school would provide one consolidated center of excellence that connects three singularly world-class parts, positioning UT both to optimize its impact across complementary areas of scholarship and research in a school, while also retaining levels of departmental autonomy that have helped fuel successes for decades. 
Central to this vision are enhanced resources, newly formalized collaborations and fresh attention to the role our collective disciplines play in the University’s next era of innovation. Although many details remain under development, other tenets are clear, including a strong commitment to maintaining all our current academic credentials for students and for prospective students applying to our programs. 
The work to advance the request to the Board of Regents and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is currently underway. We look forward to engaging with many of you in shared conversations about the exciting possibilities this new school presents. We will continue to keep you informed as plans and details come together, and we look forward to forging new partnerships and advancing a shared vision during the months ahead.
Sincerely,
David Vanden Bout
Dean, College of Natural Sciences
Soo Young Rieh
Interim Dean, School of Information
This communication is from Leadership – Official.
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The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 78712 US