The letter also details the progress of the curricular review committees, expanding on several major themes Kirby has mentioned in the past.

“I think for the first time the dean has given indications of where the curricular reform might go,” Kenan Professor of Government Harvey C. Mansfield ’53 said, noting that the word “Core” does not appear in the section about the curricular review.

Kirby’s letter highlights what he sees as an overly restrictive undergraduate curriculum, which can leave students to choose less than one-quarter of their courses.

“A three-year concentration may be ideal as preparation for doctoral study, but ought that be the central aim of a college of arts and sciences?” Kirby wrote.

Kirby’s letter also restates his commitment to incorporating more international elements in the undergraduate curriculum.

“Our responsibility therefore is to educate students for a world that in many ways is ‘globalizing,’ but which is a world of still different, and changing, cultures and civilization,” Kirby wrote. “Should we not expect that every student have a significant international experience—be it foreign study, an internship, public service, or research abroad—before graduation?”

The Faculty Council, an 18-professor advisory body that customarily reviews the annual letters, met last week to give Kirby feedback on the letter.

Mendelsohn, a member of the council, said that in addition to the financial situation, the group discussed the problems faced by international students—particularly those in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences—attempting to acquire visas.

Kirby will hold a meeting this afternoon in University Hall for Faculty members and administrators to discuss science in Allston.

The letter also briefly details the work of the committees on student health and alcohol that will issue reports this year, the renovation of the Hasty Pudding building and the changes to Hilles Library,

Kirby’s letter stresses the importance of increasing the Faculty’s racial and gender diversity. It also mentions his goal of increasing the proportion of non-tenured professors on the Faculty.

“A more balanced ratio of tenured and non-tenured faculty would allow grater flexibility in our intellectual directions,” the letter reads.

Mansfield said he agrees with Kirby’s goal.

“That’s a real concern, that profesors will stay on and on,” he said. “Does [Kirby] say anything about the possible senility of our older professors?”

—Staff writer Joshua D. Gottlieb can be reached at jdgottl@fas.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Rebecca D. O’Brien can be reached at robrien@fas.harvard.edu.