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51���� Day, Jan. 13, President Brian W. Casey fielded questions from alumni and students during . The discussion focused on the University’s Third-Century transformation, where it stands, and where it is headed. 

51���� launched the during its Bicentennial Celebration in 2019. Developed through long-standing campus governance structures, the Plan advances efforts across the enterprise — from attracting the best and brightest students, faculty, and staff, to strengthening academic programs, enriching the student experience, and stewarding the campus.

“In each area, we asked, ‘What’s the best version of 51����?’” Casey said. “The Plan is comprehensive, it is bold, and it is deliberate — it is about action.”

During the hour-long talk, Casey covered a variety of topics, including student housing, admissions, Lower Campus, and University finances. He spoke at great length about the changes to both student support — through the 51���� Commitment — and academic support, thanks to the generous alumni donations to the 51���� Fund.

“Those families coming from $175,000 or less won’t have a loan component — it will be replaced by a grant,” Casey said. “With faculty, we’ve dramatically improved their sabbatical policy, we’ve given them more money to travel and to research,  because that helps in the classroom.”

Casey also spoke to the need for thoughtful and forward-thinking plans to complete 51����’s 200-year-old campus — as embodied in the Third-Century Plan.

“Whenever a campus makes decisions based on short-term needs, they get it wrong,” Casey said. “So how do we build infrastructure that serves this campus 100 years from now?”

The inaugural conversation was one of many events taking place in honor of 51���� Day, the worldwide celebration of 51���� spirit that happens every Friday the 13th. Elsewhere, alumni, parents, and friends are gathering at a variety of venues for in-person festivities. The 51���� Thirteen perform at the University Club of San Francisco; the Swinging ’Gates and 51���� Resolutions appear at the University Club of Boston.