Provost Robert Bates recently took steps to ensure that the university’s Strategic Plan is promptly implemented and consistently pursued and developed — not collecting dust on shelves around campus. Bates did this by naming the Implementation Council and four implementation teams.
In a memo to administrators, the provost noted, “The completion of a written strategic plan document marks an important milestone in the planning process, but major benefits accrue to the university only when the plan is put into operation. Achieving the established goals will require effort and attention from every part of the institution. It also requires considerable management and coordination.”
Members of the Implementation Council include: Bates; Karl Boehmke, executive director, Planning and Budgeting; Bill Cofer, chair, Faculty Senate; Barbara Couture, dean, College of Liberal Arts; Mary Doyle, vice president, Information Technology; Charlene Jaeger, vice president, Student Affairs; Greg Royer, vice president, Business Affairs; Sally Savage, vice president, University Relations; Ken Spitzer, associate vice provost, Research; and Jim Roche, director, Institutional Research.
The council, chaired by Bates, begins work in mid-April.
The four implementation teams are based on four major strategic goals:
• “Create an environment of trust and respect in all we do,” co-chairs Mary Doyle and Alex Tan.
• “Nurture a world class environment for research, scholarship, graduate education, the arts and engagement,” co-chairs Ken Spitzer and Bryan Slinker.
• “Offer the best undergraduate experience in a research university,” co-chairs Doug Baker and Fran McSweeney.
• “Develop a culture of shared commitment to quality in all of our activities,” co-chairs Sally Savage and Nancy Magnuson.
Team rosters will be formed later and will begin work soon after the council’s initial meeting.
The teams will develop and enhance lists of required actions, devise implementation steps and assure accountability. In addition, they will organize and track the progress toward accomplishing the goals and subgoals of the plan.
