Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

January 16, 2004

New strategic plan will be written over the next 10 months

by Diana Pounds
A strategic plan is never more important to a university than during challenging budget times like these, says Benjamin Allen, vice president for academic affairs and provost.

Allen, who will lead the development of Iowa State's next strategic plan, said the next plan must be more focused and specific than previous plans. A well-focused plan helps with decision-making when resources are limited and budgets are tight, he said.

"We must rely on the strategic plan to show us where we're going and where we need to focus our efforts and funds to help ensure continued excellence of the university," he said.

The new plan will guide university activities from 2005 through 2010 and will be drafted over the next 10 months. A large university committee and a smaller facilitation group, both of which will be named soon, will develop the plan, with considerable input from existing university committees and the campus community.

"We need to have a really frank discussion of what the key issues are and what we want Iowa State to be in the next five to 10 years," Allen said.

The new plan likely will have shorter mission and vision statements -- "statements brief enough to be remembered and understood," Allen said. It also will include a small number of key priorities, action plans and performance measures.

The plan should sharpen the university's academic focus, Allen said, guiding growth in some areas and pruning in others.

The strategic planning committee will include nearly 40 members, representing the colleges, various university units and groups, students, alumni, parents, Iowans and the community of Ames.

Allen said the committee will meet only four to six times to discuss and work on the plan and provide feedback on the work in progress.

The smaller facilitation subgroup will meet much more often to carry out such tasks as gathering information, soliciting input and writing drafts of the plan.

Timeline

Week of Jan. 19: Name strategic planning committee and facilitation subcommittee
Jan. 31: First meeting of strategic planning committee
February-March: Seek input from all constituencies on the key issues facing ISU, its mission, vision, values and key priorities
April-May: Finalize mission, vision, values and key priorities part of plan
June-August: Work with existing committees and groups on campus to develop objectives, action plans and performance measures
August-September: Provide draft plan to campus community for review and input
September-October: Provide second draft plan to campus community for review and input
November: Submit plan to President Gregory Geoffroy
December: Submit plan to Board of Regents, State of Iowa