University-wide strategic plan to take broad view of the future

University Park, Pa. -- Across the University, academic and administrative units are busy working on their strategic plans for the next five years. This process also is taking place at the overall University level, as well, with a twist.
 
"In the past, we would study each of the strategic plans submitted to us, look for common threads and use those as the basis for the University-wide plan," said Louise Sandmeyer, executive director of Planning and Institutional Assessment. "This time, while each plan will be analyzed and taken into consideration, the overall plan will go much further."
 
The University Strategic Planning Council, which was created last November, also has been charged with thinking beyond the next planning cycle, to consider more broadly where the University should be in 10 to 20 years.
 
"We're looking at what it means to be a Land Grant institution in the 21st century. We need to see how Penn State can balance its many roles in a changing, global society," said Michael Adewumi, vice provost for International Programs and member of the council.
 
"The council also will examine how we can become more student-centered, the appropriate balance between our commitment to keeping tuition low and acquiring the funds necessary to maintain our momentum as a world-class university, the implications of new information technologies, the evolving mission of our respective campuses, and new opportunities for multi-disciplinary initiatives," said Rodney Erickson, executive vice president and provost, and chair of the University Strategic Planning Council.
 
With that vision for the future, the council will develop the Penn State Strategic Plan for the years 2009-10 through 2013-14.
 
For the first time, the Strategic Planning Council includes members of the Board of Trustees. "In addition to the internal focus, we're looking externally, at demographic changes, trends in society, globalization and other areas. We want the perspectives the board members can provide to the process," said Mike Dooris of the Office of Planning and Institutional Assessment. "This broader focus is making it a more interesting, exciting process than it used to be. This plan will help to position Penn State in the world."
 
Although the strategic planning process continues to evolve at Penn State, some things have remained the same.
 
"We remain committed to six overarching goals outlined in the University's current strategic plan,” said Erickson in a presentation to the Faculty Senate last fall. “Those goals include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
-- Enhance academic excellence through the support of high-quality teaching, research and service;
 
-- Enrich the educational experience of all Penn State students by becoming a more student-centered University;
 
-- Create a more inclusive, civil and diverse University learning community;
 
-- Align missions, programs and services with available fiscal resources to better serve students and their communities;
 
-- Serve society through teaching, research and creative activity, and service; and
 
-- Develop new sources of non-tuition income and reduce costs through improved efficiencies.
 
Because the overall plan incorporates the common threads found in the unit plans, the overall strategic plan is a year behind the unit plans. "Even though we have a broader focus this time, it's still very much a connected process," Dooris said.
 
The council will develop a draft plan by next January. During spring semester 2009, the draft will be reviewed by members of the Board of Trustees, the President's Council, the Academic Leadership Council, the Faculty Senate, student leaders, the Alumni Council and other groups of key University stakeholders. The finalized plan is expected to be implemented at the start of the 2009-10 academic year.
 
For a listing of members of the University Strategic Planning Council, visit http://www.psu.edu/president/pia/strategic_planning/uspc/index.html online.