March 27

Strategic Planning Steering Committee

Minutes of Meeting

March 27, 2009

 

Attendees:

• Dr. Elizabeth Stroble, Senior Vice President, Provost and CCO
• Candace Campbell Jackson, Vice President and Chief of Staff
• Dr. David Baker, Interim Provost; Dir., Archives-History of American Psychology
• Holly Harris Bane, Associate Vice President - Strategic Initiatives and Engagement
• Kristen Bowman, ASG President
• Dr. Cynthia Capers, Interim Dean, College of Education; Coordinator, University Academic Leadership Initiatives
• Dr. Charles Fey, Vice President for Student Affairs
• Dr. Chand Midha, Associate Provost and Acting Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
• Stanley Silverman, Dean, Summit College

 

Candace Campbell Jackson opened the meeting at 10 a.m.

Update

• Chancellor Eric Fingerhut will meet with the Strategic Planning Steering Committee (SPSC) on Friday, April 3. He will discuss the strategic plan of the University System of Ohio and the foundation that it provides for the visioning that will take place this year at The University of Akron
• The April 10 SPSC meeting will be four hours in length to discuss strategic goals and a draft plan document

Focus of the Meeting

After significant discussion related to the past good work of the University of Akron community, which includes the Charting the Course strategic plan and the Design For Our Future academic plan, it was agreed that the strategic plan being crafted will contain a vision and goals that the entire campus community will relate to. The work of the past will be pulled through into the strategic plan and it will encompass the value the students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, donors and the surrounding community bring to the institution that makes The University of Akron unique.

As the committee's discussion wrapped around the goals the President suggested in his March 2 presentation, members shared their vision of what the University will be like in the year 2020 as a result of this strategic plan. Those ideas included:

• Accessibility
• Affordability
• Increase in graduation rates
• Alignment with the strategic planning of the Chancellor's office
• Reflect input from the UA community
• Leadership
• Engagement
• Innovation
• Inclusive Excellence
• Assessment
• Increase in research funding
• Vibrant campus
• Retention, promotion and tenure plan that includes service, scholarship and engagement
• Reputation for educational excellence
• Strong student services
• Collaboration with school districts to:
  • increase academic motivation and preparation
  • curriculum that is aligned
  • create regional educational system

Engagement/Communications Update

Following the March 2 presentation from the President, Holly Harris Bane has had significant discussions with several committee members for input regarding a plan of engagement. Electronic tools are either in place or are being planned that will engage the UA community. Focus groups are being identified to assist with brainstorming and visioning.

The discussion board for UA community engagement is now live. Responses have already been posted to the site. A compilation of responses will be prepared by the consulting firm to protect anonymity. Discussion took place regarding other upcoming events, including guest speakers and targeted audiences.

The meeting adjourned at 11:45.