Strategic Planning Committee Minutes, September 26, 2002

Strategic Planning Committee Minutes
September 26, 2002

MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Morton, Jon Wraith, Kay Chafey, Mary Noll, Betsy Centa, Bill Brown.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Greg Johnson, Jaynee Groseth, Mark Sheehan, ASMSU representative.

OTHERS PRESENT: Jim Rimpau, Kathy Attenbury, Ben Sharp.

The meeting convened at 3 PM. Bruce Morton chaired.

The Capacity for Growth statement was delivered to the Provost on September 22 and distributed to UPBAC on September 23. The document does not advocate "no growth" but advocates strategic, incremental growth.

An SPC meeting with President Gamble and Provost Dooley has been scheduled for Monday, November 4, at 3 PM (SUB 274). Capacity for growth will be discussed with them in greater detail than possible through the written statement. On November 7, SPC will meet with the Montana Learning Community at 1:30 PM (SUB 274). Currently, no meetings are scheduled for October.

Supporting information would be helpful as the Capacity for Growth document is discussed with UPBAC. Jim Rimpau and others will develop some detailed information regarding capacity of specific areas. However, whether MSU determines it is in the best interest to "fill" all of these areas must be considered. Modeling the incremental cost of additional non-resident and resident undergraduates is something that the office of institutional research is equipped to do.

The draft SWOT document was discussed. It was agreed a coherent document is a goal. There was also agreement that some of the bullets relate to UPBAC's budget allocating process and some will address non-budgetary issues.

Chairman Morton has received a memo requesting that more emphasis be placed upon international student issues and globalization in the SPC's deliberations. The current SWOT document does not preclude these issues in any way, and they will be addressed in greater detail in future discussions.

Who articulates the strategic focus of the university? There was agreement that, ultimately, the President must envision and articulate the strategic focus and plan. He needs to operationalize the strategic vision and set the strategic agenda, using input from groups such as SPC to make the decisions. The President has stated on numerous occasions that the university will operate in a data-rich environment.

During discussion, it was agreed that as weaknesses, Library and IT will be separated into two bullets. There was agreement that MSU system coordination is a weakness that needs to be addressed.

Community and campus safety are a strength and should be included.

Before tomorrow's SPC meeting, members are to rank about fifteen bullets as priorities. This information will be used to come up with the final document.

The meeting adjourned at 2:50 PM.