Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

April 16, 2004

2nd strategic planning forum is April 29

by Diana Pounds
Those who were unable to attend last month's university-wide forum on Iowa State's future have another chance to offer their ideas at a forum Thursday, April 29. The forum is part of an extensive effort by the committee working on Iowa State's next strategic plan to gather input from university faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends about Iowa State's future.

The forum, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Pioneer Room, will follow a format similar to last month's forum. John Schuh, distinguished professor and chair of educational leadership and policy studies, will lead a discussion intended to elicit ideas about university challenges and opportunities and a vision for the Iowa State of the future.

Similar discussions are occurring in several focus groups held on and off campus.

The committee's task is to develop a strategic plan for 2005-2010.

"That plan most certainly will sharpen the university's focus and serve as a guide for what we do, and don't do, in these challenging budget times," said vice president for academic affairs and provost Benjamin Allen, who leads the strategic planning committee. "It's an important plan and we're counting on lots of input throughout its development."

Strategic planning Web site
Notes from the open forums and focus group discussions, as well as summaries of national reports on trends in higher education, business, demographics and American family life will be posted to the strategic planning Web site (see "documents, drafts") at http://www.iastate.edu/~strategicplan. Notes from the strategic planning committee meetings also are posted on this Web site. The university community is encouraged to review these materials and send input and ideas to the strategic planning committee through e-mail. Send comments to strategicplan@iastate.edu.

Next fall
The strategic planning committee plans to distribute a first draft of the 2005-2010 strategic plan early next fall for university-wide review. Feedback on the first draft will be used to refine the plan, and a second draft will be distributed for university-wide review in October. The committee plans to complete its work in January 2005.