FAQs
What is strategic planning?
Strategic planning is an ongoing process that enables an institution to define its vision, values and goals as well as the strategic initiatives and resources required to achieve its goals. This process includes an assessment component that enables the University to measure its achievements and to identify obstacles to success that must be overcome.
Why are we doing strategic planning?
Higher education has been and will continue to be buffeted by extraordinary changes. The opportunities presented by expanding markets and the challenges of an environment characterized by increasing competition require that we successfully position the University to build a sustainable, competitive advantage. We must also establish high aspirations for this University, focus intense effort on execution of our plans, and secure needed support and resources from our partners. The strategic planning process provides a venue in which we can thoughtfully address these and other issues facing the University.
How was the plan developed?
President White initiated the strategic planning process in March 2005. After the University’s plan (the three campus system) was developed, the Urbana campus created the plan published in January 2006. Each college/unit created its own strategic plan and submitted it June 30, 2006.
Who is involved with strategic planning?
There are multiple levels of involvement in the campus wide strategic planning efforts. The Chancellor leads the campus strategic planning efforts. The Provost and the Council of Deans provide significant input into the campus’ strategic plan and the ongoing process. Members of the Chancellor and Provost’s staff coordinate the process. Each college/unit has also designated liaisons to the campus’ strategic planning efforts who are listed by area in the “contacts” section of the website. In addition, each college/unit has defined its own strategic planning team to help refine and implement its plan.
Why is there a new version of the plan? What happened to the plan published in January 2006?
The new, shorter version reframes the plan around five broad goals and includes values statements and progress indicators for the institution The shorter version, which we believe will be easier to share with different audiences, will assist with monitoring the implementation and impact of the plan.
How does strategic planning impact me?
The five broad goals and strategic initiatives serve as a “call to action” for all to participate. Together, the campus and college/unit plans will enable individuals to see how they can develop unique collaborations within and outside of their areas to achieve strategic goals.
How are the colleges/units involved with strategic planning?
The Council of Deans continues to be significantly involved in the strategic planning process and represents each of colleges/units in that capacity. In addition, each of the colleges/units has identified liaisons to the campus’ strategic planning process (a list of those involved can be found in the “contacts” section of the website). Each of the colleges/units also has its own processes and groups of individuals involved in refining, implementing, and monitoring its own plan.
Is there a link between strategic planning and the allocation of resources?
There is an active effort to link strategic planning with the allocation of resources through the annual budget process. Each college/unit has identified approximately five priorities and the progress indicators by which it will assess their progress against its strategic plan. The priorities and progress indicators are being discussed in the budget meetings with the Provost’s office.
How will the initiatives in the strategic plan be funded?
Funds for the strategic initiatives will come from a variety of sources. These include reallocation within colleges/unit, increased grant activity, increased gift income and targeted campus-wide investments.
I do not see my college/unit in the plan. What does that mean for my college/unit?
All of the colleges/units will play a critical role in achieving the strategic goals. Each college/unit has developed its own strategic plan and priorities as part of this process.
How are the progress indicators going to be used? Will colleges/units be held accountable for results and how will that be linked to resources?
Progress indicators will enable the campus and each individual college/unit to access whether they are achieving the goals of the plan and making an impact. Each college/unit is defining the progress indicators that it believes are most appropriate. The results of these progress indictors will be discussed annual during the budget meetings with the Provost’s office.
Are other universities conducting strategic planning?
Many public institutions are undergoing strategic planning efforts. To better understand their efforts, please see the links provided to the strategic planning websites for each of the Big Ten schools and our designated peer institutions.
How will the results of our strategic planning efforts be communicated?
The results of our strategic planning efforts will be communicated in multiple formats for different audiences. An initial report will be provided to the Board of Trustees in July. Other reports for the campus and other internal and external audiences will be developed and posted on the strategic planning website.
What has happened between the time campus’ strategic plan was created in January 2006 and now?
Implementation of the campus’ strategic plan began in January 2006. Several working teams are taking action on the research initiatives and other strategic priorities. In addition, the following actions are also taking place:
- Reframing the campus’ strategic plan to align to five broad goals to help expedite its implementation
- Designating resources at the campus and college/unit levels towards the implementation of the strategic plan
- Developing progress indicators to assess achievement against the strategic goals at both the campus and college/unit level
- Linking Development’s campaign strategies to the five broad goals of the campus’ strategic plan
- Implementing a revised budgeting process that assesses the priorities of each college and unit based on the metrics they have defined
- Strengthening the promotion and tenure process to guide the development of excellent teaching and research in our faculty
- Linking the Target of Opportunity Program and Excellence Appointment decision process with the campus’ strategies and goals
A full report of the activities and impact of the campus’ strategic planning efforts will be published later this year and posted on this website.
Is there a link between strategic plan and the campus’ development campaign?
Yes, the core goals of the strategic plan and the campus’s development campaign are the same. Each college/unit has identified the resources required to achieve each of the goals.