Dear Clemson Family,
I hope this message finds you well, and that you were able to take time this summer for some well-deserved rest and renewal as we prepare for a new academic year.
As we look ahead, I want to address the current and evolving landscape of higher education. Across the country, universities are experiencing profound shifts: changing demographics, rising operational costs, integration of AI, and new expectations from students and families. At the same time, we are seeing increased challenges for research funding, significant changes in the world of collegiate athletics and a growing public debate about the value and role of higher education itself. These forces are coming together in ways that require higher education leadership to adapt and act with clarity and purpose.
Clemson is not immune to these challenges. However, we have seen these changes coming and have been proactive as we work to ensure that we can continue to meet our mission of education, research and service. We will continue to act with urgency and intention – to meet these challenges head-on.
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Following our Annual Summer Board of Trustees Meetings in July, we are prioritizing efforts to protect our strong position by managing expenses, improving operational efficiency and continuing to invest in strategic areas.
As we move through this academic year, we must become more efficient, more agile and remain laser-focused on our mission. That starts with an honest look at how we work, how we use our resources and how we can best serve in a rapidly changing world. We must lead with a strategic vision, embrace change where it strengthens us and make smart, proactive choices to ensure Clemson’s long-term health and positive impact.
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This is not the first time our campus community has faced uncertainty. We have repeatedly responded with resilience, creativity and care for one another. And I am certain that we will do so again. In the months ahead, communication and collaboration will be critical. I encourage each of you to stay informed, ask questions and engage in campus conversations.
Above all, let’s lean on what has always made Clemson a remarkable place: our sense of purpose, the unwavering dedication of our talented faculty and staff to providing a quality education to our students and our deep commitment to our values, to each other and to the state we serve.
Together, we will meet this moment – just as we always have – with clarity, courage and compassion.
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| James P. Clements, Ph.D.
President, Clemson University
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| James P. Clements, Ph.D.
President, Clemson University
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