Carolyn D., meeting facilitator, opened the meeting at 8:30A.

1. Minutes of the February 18^th meeting were approved.
2. Announcements:
1. Extra meetings may be needed in order to cover all the material in the draft to meet our timeline. This is a tedious process but necessary because we need to have a consensus together. Our process is a "quality driven" process and it combines all previous plans (Campus Master Plan, SWAT, Coed Transition, etc). Our goal is to offer a sustainable plan not stop gap measures that are primarily fund driven. We may need to develop a new timeline or revise the one we have.
2. Diane H. will have the cost analysis for the April 8^th meeting.
3. Draft Review:

• Some members felt a solid foundation was important and vital.
• It was suggested that foundation be singular, not foundations, as each area does not exist independently.
• In place of foundation, use the metaphor "tapestry". The threads would represent holding the fabric together.
• Foundation was not a catching or snappy word, maybe finding a better way of saying foundation. Some felt that we really didn’t need to have a snappy word but one that had meaning. Foundation presented more of a meaning and history than tapestry.
• It was suggested that tapestry would portray a covering than a foundation. Maybe after the five years tapestry would be better used then.
• Use the word cornerstone along with foundation.
• Carolyn D. reminded everyone that foundation did come from the one word exercise that was used and foundation for sustainability is strong and long-term. It must be kept in mind that the theme also will drive the capital campaign.
• In the second sentence words such as strengthening, establish and building new ones should be added.

• An updated picture with more people and more action is needed. A more distinctive picture should be used. It is very important to have the right picture on our cover. Also suggested was using a springtime picture with the lake.
• Ann R. will pull up 8-10 pictures and email everyone on the SPC for review.
• Pictures will be used throughout the SPC plan. It would be a type of viewbook presentation.

• Carolyn D. explained she welcomed any changes to this report. If there are substantive changes to the draft a revised report could be sent to the Board. Members of the committee pointed out that the origin and composition of the Strategic Planning Committee needed more background information.

• First goal should not be financial but academic. Financial stability is a means to an end. The end being able to provide an excellent academic program.
• Financial stability is very important and needed as first priority in order to give us the academic program.
• Maybe we’re trying to cram too much in the vision statement. It should be one line with bullets underneath.
• Two sentences was suggested; one stating the goal and the second explaining how we would accomplish the goal.
• It was suggested that we begin with academic and end with financial.
• Statement should be five or six lines or shorter with bullets underneath.
• "Tier I" could be used as an example as a goal and then we would have to decide what the obligations to Tier I means. There was some question about Tier I as currently faculty is working to meet IIB-2 standards and, would this be a goal more appropriate for after the 5-year plan. Carolyn D. will do research in regards to Tier I. She will look into the levels of Tier I, the definition of Tier I and what is the faculty criteria.

• In first reading the introduction to foundations statement, it presents the idea that we’re happy with what we do and want to do it better. It doesn’t seem to leave room for change; there are things that we may not wish to continue. The statement needs more then just saying we’re going to strengthen what we do.
• Carolyn D. explained that it is very important in a five-year document that we know we can’t do everything. It is not so much for us to blaze new trails but to strengthen what we have and to build from there.
• We still might wish to establish new goals, not just strengthen them. An example of the education graduate program was given. Although it has already been decided that this will be done, it is still launching a new program. This program will be a foundational building block to establish other graduate programs.
• The words establishing and strengthening need to be added.

• In reviewing this section, it was found that some statements were very broad and others very precise and measurable. Consistency is needed throughout the document in every section. Sometimes the document is presenting practical initiatives and other times it is more visionary. The foundations need to be lean, mean, and precise. There are some initiatives listed that need to be done all along. Should these be included in the plan as well? Carolyn D. added that everything should be included in the plan so that even if it is an item that should be done on a routine basis we can think about how it fits strategically.
• Being more precise in the final copy would bring fewer questions when it is presented. The document needs to be clearer and more concrete.
• Need to change male and female students to just students. Our five-year plan should not look like a coed transition document.
• It was suggested that maybe the charge for the retention initiative should go to EMT. One question raised was "Do we really want to retain all current students?" This may not be desirable to do. Carolyn D. explained that in the student responses she received, there was a great indication that current students felt that everything was focused on recruiting new students and males and nothing really on them. They want to know where they fit in the picture? We need a measurable way of including them in the plan.
• It was suggested that the charge for increasing and maintaining applicant pool go to EMT. We want to make sure that 1000 is a number to work with for five years. Also, we need to check with figures already done for the increase in enrollment initiative. Carolyn D. will talk with Susan S. for an analysis and then it will be determined where in the strategic plan this would fit in.
• Separate entering class that reflects our commitment to diversity from maintaining commitment to the education of women. These could be targets under increasing student body. Carolyn D. explained to the committee that we have to be sure to remember that our point should be to say outright that we would not let diversity begin to mean something that overshadowed our commitment to women.
• We need to use better wording for where "safe" is indicated. Is it reaffirming that we are a safe and secure environment? Right now it may present that we are not safe and need to make it so. Maintaining a safe environment could be used.
• Words increase, enhance, develop and intercollegiate should be included in the opportunities for intramural and recreational activities initiative.
• For the Career Services initiative, it should begin with Enhance and then bullet underneath Conduct Evaluation.
• Many initiatives can be combined. Should be four or five headings and then bullets and benchmarks underneath each heading. We need initiative language that will suggest steps. It can begin with a larger statement then the major initiative would come under it and then under this would be the measurable benchmarks and objectives (resources needed, department responsible).
• Example: Science Building

• Four headings were decided upon under Students: Recruitment/Retention, Student Life, Academic Quality and Programmatic