Strategic Planning Committee Minutes, September 6, 2002

Strategic Planning Committee Minutes
September 6, 2002

Members Present: Bruce Morton, Kay Chafey, Jon Wraith, Mary Noll, Bill Brown, Mark Sheehan.

Others Present: Jim Rimpau, Kathy Attebury, Ben Sharp.

Members Absent: Greg Johnson, Jaynee Groseth, Betsy Centa, ASMSU representative.

The meeting, chaired by Bruce Morton, convened at 3:00 PM

A second iteration of the draft statement regarding growth was the object of the discussion.

It was noted that the percentage of graduate students of the total student body at MSU is about half of what it is at similar institutions. Someone else noted that although that probably is true, there are also serious anomalies in other areas as well and that it is risky to focus on one area without consideration of the others as well. Points that were made about graduate education at earlier meetings were reiterated. There seems to be no philosophical reason to refrain from rapid growth in the graduate program, but based on current resources, it appears that a greatly increased graduate program will take additional resources from the undergraduate program, which is also underfunded.

MSU is positioned to offer an excellent undergraduate education. Being an excellent graduate institution will be more difficult. Growth at either the undergraduate or graduate level must be tied to quality.

MSU must deal with the issue of limited resources. What will the priorities be? SPC is to give input to UPBAC in this regard.

There appears to be consensus that MSU needs to increase recruitment and retention of better students. It was stated, once again, that scholarships need to be a number one priority.

It was suggested MSU keep a balance between undergraduate and graduate education while it works toward manageable growth.

By definition, being successful strategically means being different. How will MSU address this?

As sections of the draft are rewritten, an effort will be made to make the document more assertive, but at the same time keep it positive.

Any draft material for the statement on growth should be submitted to the listserv by late Tuesday. The rewritten material for the SWOT's should also be posted to the listserv by late Tuesday.

The meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM.