Academic Master Plan evolves with consolidation
IR Director Christine Stroup-Benham explains to AMP session participants possible trends and population fluctuations over the next several years.
The goals defined by planners in the initiation of the Academic Master Plan in 2004 need to envelop the mission represented by the consolidation process. That was the pervading message at a day-long strategic action session at the Grant Humphries Mansion Nov. 16.
“Do the goals stand the test of time for what we want to do in the next five years, 10 years and on?” Provost Mark Heckler charged participants at the outset of the session. “We need to identify clearly what is happening in the institution so we can move forward.”
While Phase I of AMP defined six goals, Phase II effort represents committee work identifying “the sky’s the limit” initiatives for what will achieve individual goals. In initiating Phase III, committee members were asked to bring ideas in line with fiscal realities of the institution.
“We have $2.5 million to $3 million a year to invest in initiatives,” Heckler told nearly 100 attendees. “This should not be about pie-in-the-sky ideas now, it’s real.”
Participants broke into groups to test assumptions underlying the overall goals in the morning dialogue. Groups then considered the tactical aspects of each goal in the afternoon session. Notes, comments and action items are available online. In addition, each school, college and unit will spend the next three months identifying how to interface with elements of the plan.
The Academic Master Plan will be reviewed in April, with action items forwarded to Chancellor M. Roy Wilson in May. “But keep in mind this is going to be a partial plan,” Heckler stressed. “There will be more work to do.”