As part of its planning and review procedures, the ACS presidents and chief academic officers spent time looking at the past, where ACS has been, and towards the future needs. Through this process they identified several high-priority academic and administrative issues that, if funded, would enable member institutions to test and experiment with new ideas, bring together groups whose members have not been in regular contact, and form new interest groups. In addition, outside support would enable a few key existing programs, such as Women's Studies and the International Program Directors, to expand the scope of their activities.

With the generous grant support of the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation in December 2000, ACS has brought the dream of the New Dimensions Initiative to life. The initiatives listed on the left are the groups and programs included in the initial proposal. Others may be developed as interest and needs are identified. Whatever activities may be undertaken, all are designed to enhance the teaching and learning environment and to strengthen the liberal arts mission of our ACS institutions.

To view current activities within the New Dimensions Initiative, click on the name of the program/group you wish to view. Several of the individual pages are under construction, so please bear with us as these are developed.

If you cannot find the information you want, or would like additional information on the New Dimensions Initiatives, contact acs@colleges.org

It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday
is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.
Robert H. Goddard