Notes from the First Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
May 21, 2007
We first discussed a process for consultation and access across campus. Then we discussed the mission statement itself.
1. To ensure maximum campus participation and transparency, we discussed the following:
- Putting updates on my blog
- Having each of us work with 3–4 focus groups next fall.
- Selecting a space, perhaps in the SU (such as the Dankook Room), where one or more of us would be available for lunch on a regular basis with anyone who wishes to drop in and discuss strategic planning.
- Meeting students in the residence halls.
- Sending emails to directors, chairs, and supervisors with the explicit expectation that they convey information to their direct reports, departmental members, and so on.
2. As we begun dissecting the mission statement, we commented on the following areas:
- We need to use active verbs.
- Every word should be concrete and useful – “contemporary” is not a good choice.
- Every sentence should have punch or passion (unlike sentence 2).
- We need to stop being afraid of saying who we are.
- We should highlight that we educate for life, that we support student success as well as access, that we help students reach their goals.
- We need “fewer, better” messages.
- We need to focus on our unique qualities: SOU engages its region and state..., Committed to lifelong learning, SOU..., Located at the intersection of the liberal arts and the professions..
- We should possibly eliminate the value and vision and have a list of “commitments” after the mission statement. We would end with 5 or 6 very specific commitments, such as the commitment to excellence in the fine and performing arts.
3.We need a button on the President’s Page with links to the individual plans, the feedback from various lunch sessions, meeting notes, and comments from the community.
4. Our next meeting is Monday, June 4.
