The Observer, February 22, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 18
University Plan forums solicit student opinion
A plan for the university is taking shape, but it won't do so without students' input. The University Plan Steering Committee conducted a series of open forums, inviting students, staff, faculty, and alumni to discuss the committee's initial iteration of a "University Plan" for the next five to 10 years.
Such a plan is intended to guide the school's priorities in development, budgeting, fundraising, and additional operations over the specified timeframe. The committee, led by the provost and including faculty, staff, and students, expects to produce a draft of the plan to present to the Board of Trustees in June of this year.
Interim provost Jerold Goldberg led the forums held in Ford Auditorium over the past two weeks. The forums were structured around discussion of five working goals that the committee had decided to be a framework for the next five to 10 years, as well as discussion of certain "core values" that were determined to be particularly salient to Case.
The discussion was aimed primarily at asking participants if they believed the goals discussed were indeed the right ones to be structuring a plan on, if the goals emphasized the correct values of the university, and if there were any oversights in the goals that have been set so far.
Goldberg emphasized the importance of obtaining feedback in the process, saying that the 2600 responses obtained from a November web survey were integral to shaping the goals so far, and that the committee is still seeking feedback from the entire campus community.
There was some discussion regarding the goal to "strengthen [the] university's culture of community," regarding specific facilities that could further this goal. Goldberg explained that this was one of the areas where the plan would set priorities; for instance, is it more important for the sense of community to build a nearby retail center or to develop a new university center?
Some expressed desire for an enhanced "sense of arrival" on campus, which would possibly involve an improvement in signage. There was also concern to make sure existing facilities would be utilized as best as possible.
Other topics ranged from the university's tendency to emphasize research at the expense of education, to how precisely to establish priorities when balancing comprehensiveness with the specific strengths of the university.
Goldberg explained that the committee had interviewed institution and business leaders from all of University Circle and also examined strategic plans of peer institutions. He explained that Case's plan would not necessarily be identical to a successful strategic plan from another institution.
"We don't have anyone else's place," said Goldberg, adding that a successful strategic plan must be tailored for CWRU.
Discussions also covered the goal of "building powerful relationships" with alumni, the public, the community, and other institutions. "Cleveland is a city with transactional relationships," Goldberg mentioned, where one institution will often look to benefit from the success of another. This goal, as he explained, should foster better relationships with mutual goals for those involved.
"Ensuring long-term financial stability" was another of the goals, and Goldberg mentioned new possible revenue sources to aid this, whether by establishing for-profit arms of the university or perhaps granting U.S. degrees to those with foreign degrees. One audience member expressed the notion that the university should establish a "culture of philanthropy" among its members. Goldberg agreed with the importance of philanthropy, saying it is the small but key margin for any university, since overall, "education loses money and research loses money." He also said that there would be an increased focus on cost for graduate students in the future.
The core values were also discussed briefly, including "collaboration," which Goldberg sees as a particular strength; "responsible risk-taking," reminding the audience that even after recent history, the university should not necessarily become risk averse; and "innovation," which Goldberg described as both a strength and "a real opportunity for us."
Addressing the concern that issues that will receive the most funding will not necessarily be the ones of most importance to students, Goldberg expressed the desire that the feedback and suggestions gained in developing the plan will eventually result in manifestations on campus addressing some of those same suggestions.
"I hope people see a plan that a lot of people see a lot of things they agree with," remarked Goldberg, stating that with a campus so diverse, there are bound to be some issues of the plan that face disagreement.
USG president and Steering Committee member Adam Rupe saw many reasons to be optimistic about such a strategic plan.
"I think the best part about the plan so far is that there is a commitment to community and making Case Western Reserve University more of a university and less of a place that people work, go to school, or do research and more of a institution that prides itself on the amazing people that make it up," he said.
Though the forums are over, Goldberg and other members of the committee are still seeking input from students, faculty, and staff.
"I hope students continue to be engaged, and if they have specific concerns they can also contact/e-mail me and I will bring them in front of the committee," Rupe said.
The committee is also collecting input through the University Plan website, at www.case.edu/provost/uplan.
