Strategic Planning Committee Minutes, September 27, 2002

Strategic Planning Committee Minutes
September 27, 2002

MEMBERS PRESENT: Bruce Morton, Bill Brown, Betsy Centa, Jon Wraith, Mary Noll, Greg Johnson.

MEMBERS ABSENT: Jaynee Groseth, Mark Sheehan, Kay Chafey, MSU representative.

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

The meeting convened at 3:00 PM. Bruce Morton chaired.

The memo from Assistant Vice Provost for International Education Norm Peterson and Dean of Education, Health, and Human Development Greg Weisenstein was distributed. It addresses the need for an international dimension in MSU's strategic plan. Chair Morton will respond to let them know that the Strategic Planning Committee is not at this point developing a strategic plan, that the documents created by the committee so far do not preclude international education, and that there will likely be more in-depth consideration by the committee of international dimensions for the university as conversation continues.

During discussion of anticipated budget cuts by the 2003 legislature, it was pointed out that even without increased revenue from the state, there might be other mitigating circumstances (increased enrollment and the "mix" of students, increased tuition), and that some money may be reallocated, allowing implementation of recommendations requiring additional budget.

A compilation of committee members' top ten priorities, plus others submitted today, was distributed. The committee agreed there are eleven priority recommendations that should be included in an executive summary. All others in the document are of importance, also. Some of the recommendations are strategic, while some of them are budgetary. It was agreed that "external marketing programs" should be added to the list of priority recommendations.

The importance of MSU being a distinctive institution was discussed. While MSU must distinguish itself in certain areas, a balance needs to be maintained within the university.

Each committee member present ranked the top recommendations. The result of the ranking is:

Strategic (non-budget) recommendations:

• The university President should clearly and strongly articulate MSU's strategic focus .
  
• Replace the model of administrative and programmatic autonomy for MSU campuses with a model of administrative and programmatic integration.
  
• Raise the university's scholarship endowment to levels that make it possible for MSU to compete.
  
• Raise admission standards.

• Ensure the maintenance of salary reserve pools for promotion, MAP, equity and market salary adjustments.
  
• Grow the investment in information technology budget .
  
• Allocate funds for raises/competitive salaries.
  
• Grow the investment in library budget .
  
• Maintain an emphasis on ensuring a safe campus environment and provide commensurate funding.
  
• Increase graduate student enrollments in those disciplines where there is departmental capacity and which will not adversely affect undergraduate instruction.
  
• Continue using external marketing programs for targeted recruitment. Base targets on MSU strategic priorities.
  
• Invest in information technology infrastructure to deliver digital instructional materials at a distance and on campus.

The meeting adjourned at 4:30 PM.