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By Sharron Hannon
The process of formulating strategic plans to guide the university and its various units through the first decade of the 21st century continues this fall, with the goal of having unit plans finalized by January 2000.
The institutional Strategic Planning Advisory Group, chaired by Vice President for Strategic Planning Don Eastman, is in the process of reviewing draft strategic plans prepared by 26 campus units--which include not only all 13 schools and colleges, but also vice presidential areas and such units as the Georgia Center for Continuing Education, the Georgia Museum of Art, the State Botanical Garden and the athletic association.
“As this process moves forward, we’re developing a better common idea of what strategic planning really is,” says Eastman.
Each unit draft plan is discussed by the Strategic Planning Advisory Group, then returned to the unit with comments and suggestions for revisions.
“We’re going to have a back-and-forth process in many cases,” says Eastman. “Our institutional group is looking for units to make decisions in their strategic plans about their key priorities. We also want to see indications from the units of where they fit in the universe of higher education--in this state, regionally or nationally.”
Several unit draft plans can be viewed on the strategic planning Web site (www.strategicplanning.uga.edu). The site allows viewers to offer comments on the plans.
The Strategic Planning Advisory Group meets weekly, as they have since the beginning of March. Over the summer, the group heard presentations on student affairs, faculty development, distance learning and state budget issues. A June 10 half-day session included deans and other unit heads and focused on defining some of the major issues facing the university.
“The presentations have been beneficial in giving us a broad perspective of the complex issues--and the opportunities--that confront the university,” says Ernestine Copas, chair of the University Council Strategic Planning Committee and a member of the Strategic Planning Advisory Group. “It’s been an education.”
Group members say they feel the effort put into the process will pay off.
“I’m optimistic that the time invested to understand the trends that will shape this university’s future will enrich the conversations between the Strategic Planning Advisory Group and the units,” says Bob Boehmer, an advisory group member, who also serves as director of the SACS accreditation study. “These conversations will enable all of us to further refine our strategic planning.”
“We’ve got a lot of good, smart people all over campus working on this process,” adds Eastman. “The work being done in the units and by the Strategic Planning Advisory Group can be a real turning point for the future of this institution.”
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