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The Retirees' Newsletter
The Retirees's Association ( Faculty, Librarian, Administrator), University of Windsor, Windsor, Ont. Canada
Vol VIII, No. 3, June 1998
Campus News
UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT LAUNCHES STRATEGIC PLANNING
The President of the University of Windsor delivered a challenge to the university community to focus its energies and renew itself to serve the students of the future.
At a special joint public meeting of the university's Board of Governors and Senate, on June 4, 1998, Dr. Ross Paul unveiled a "Position Paper on Strategic Directions for the University of Windsor" that sets the stage for the approval of a strategic plan for the university to be approved in November this year. The plan will drive all subsequent decision-making and budget processes.
Nearly 200 people attended. Many said after that they were encouraged by the ideas and by the open process the President has outlined that specifies target dates and responsibilities for actions. The event was also covered by all local media.
Dr. Paul emphasized that there will be opportunities for input for all groups and individuals within the university, the Retirees' Association and for the public at large? the industries, businesses, labour groups, agencies and community organizations that university serves. That input will help the University of Windsor make strategic decisions as it reviews academic programmes, reorganizes its recruitment initiatives, plans the revitalization of its research focus and makes improvements to student life on campus.
He outlined a vision of a University of Windsor in 2004 that is better known, for the success of its graduates and the reputation of quality high-profile programmes. He said the theme, "The Degree that Works" is appropriate for a university in this community.
In his Position Paper, Dr. Paul calls for a much more focused development of academic programmes in areas that are unique or that are particularly strong at the University of Windsor.
Dr. Paul also outlined how he intends to organize executive level decision-making committees, and held up sample publications that will be used to publicize annual and long-term goals and targets, and make senior executive more accountable to the university community.
The following are highlights from the president's Position Paper:
The University
* The University becomes better known in the near future, spurred by the success of its graduates under the theme, "The Degree that Works."
Students
* Student recruitment becomes the first priority including a comprehensive recruitment marketing plan by December 1998.
* A ground-breaking First-Year Studies Programme is introduced immediately to give students a head start on university life with learning, study and research skills, time management and critical thinking skills.
Research
* Commit the university to a new culture of research and to
concentrate on key academic priorities unique to the University of Windsor, including the automotive sector, the environment of the Great Lakes, human sciences and the arts.
* Make significant changes to the amount of money brought into the university for research and intensify campaigns for research funds from governments, granting bodies, corporate and private donors linked directly to the four academic priorities.
* Double the number of graduate students over a ten-year period and establish the university as a Canadian leader in involving graduate students in research activities.
Moving to Excellence
* Conduct a campus-wide review of academic programmes.
* Put extra resources into key programmes and services to build excellence and a national or international reputation and downsize or even eliminate programmes not central to the university's mission.
Building the Future
* Put more responsibility into the hands of the frontline academic areas for long-range planning and recruitment targets for their own area.
* Annual action plans and achievement reports to underscore accountability of all faculty, staff and administration in the success of the university.
Position Paper Distributed To All Members of The Retirees' Association
At my request, President Paul kindly made available about 125 copies of the Position Paper for distribution to all members of the Faculty, Librarian and Administrator Retirees' Association.
The President was gracious enough to attach a covering letter and also arrange to pay for postage costs, which the Retirees' Association could not afford.
The Executive Committee of the Association will forward a response in October. The Committee would be pleased to include your input if any.