STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE

FEBRUARY 18, 2005

MINUTES

Carolyn Denard opened the meeting at 10:35A. and welcomed everyone back to the new semester. The first item of discussion: asking committee members if there is another time that everyone could meet. Not everyone is able to attend the 10:30A time on Fridays. It was decided that Fridays at 8:15A would be the best time for everyone, beginning Friday, February 25^th.
Carolyn explained how a Report on Strategic Planning for Wells College had been submitted to the Board of Trustees when they met February 4^th. A copy was included in the Working Draft of the Strategic Plan that was handed out to each member at this meeting. One of the questions asked by the Board was "How do alum come into play with the Strategic Plan?" In the Working Draft, Alumnae represents alumnae in the past up to 2004 for their input. Steve Zabriskie reported that the feedback from the Board was very positive.
The Working Draft is to be used as a working document. Every part of this draft is up for discussion and change. Carolyn went over each section of the draft. She explained upon reviewing the information gathered, that there was a distinct focus on foundation that was sustainable. In the future, the next possible step could be focusing on programmatic areas. Looking back on the committee structure already in place, the question raised was "What is critical for the college to survive?" In looking at this, she found changing the committees to foundations and separating certain items would be easier to work with. An example of change would be separating campus and facilities, which was originally physical environment. Separating the critical items that would go under facilities versus items such as campus beautification that would come under campus. The transition committee was taken away as transition is a part of every foundation. The history of Wells, a 2-page overview, is still being worked on and will be ready to be picked up in Phyllis’ office by the beginning of next week.
A sheet of the various foundation groups was handed out but not to be used for now. Currently, everyone will work on all the foundations for their review and input and then later break up and work in groups for each foundation. When revising the groups, Carolyn tried not to overlap anyone in the various groups.

Carolyn went over the timeline. A "good" copy is needed to be given to the community for their input so that by April we would rework the draft with their input and by May have a final version to be presented to the Board. A cost analysis also needs to be included, even if it is an estimate. Carolyn asked Diane if this was possible to have this cost analysis for the March 18^th meeting. Diane couldn’t have a complete report by then but would report during both March 18^th and again during the April 8^th meeting with more complete report. Carolyn explained it would be best if we can have a dollar amount along side our plan. It would give us a better idea of what is more feasible to do and accomplish.

Carolyn reminded everyone that this is a working document. Please review it and send her or Phyllis their ideas, changes, etc before next week’s meeting on Friday. To facilitate the process, she tried to include everything on the checklist. She is open to all changes. She asked everyone to keep in mind to be specific, how we need suggestions to be measurable and achievable, to be realistic and think about how ideas can be achieved in a timely manner. She didn’t want to limit our thinking, that is, thinking too small for the next five years. Also, she asked everyone to keep in mind to be clear, and to think of how they see themselves in this plan.

Chris Bailey had attended the transition meeting by the Senior Staff on Thursday, February 17th and asked why in the plans of transition of Wells why the Strategic Planning Committee was not mentioned and what we were doing in the process of transition. Carolyn did say that our ultimate goal is not just co-education transition but transition in all areas. President Ryerson responded that this committee is a definite part of the transition and better consideration will be taken to include us in their next meeting.

Carolyn explained that some meetings might go on longer than an hour in order to cover all the information that needs to be covered in order to be ready with a final copy of our plan for May. A few extra meetings may need to be called to keep within our timeline.

Next Meeting: Friday, February 25^th, 8:15A, Henry Wells Room

Minutes respectively taken and submitted by : Phyllis Siemiatkowski