10 August 2005
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Building Our Academic Community of Learning and Inquiry
Submitted To Chancellor Hastad
William T. Clow, Chair
Joint Planning & Budget Committee
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse approved its strategic plan, Building Our Academic Community of Learning and Inquiry in 2004. This process became a uniting force across a diverse campus and helped to create a more common experience throughout our campus. With little fanfare the strategic plan began to be implemented through fits and starts. Much of the accountability was taken stricken from the plan through the committee process, therefore decreasing campus-wide participation or buy-in. Recently, areas of the campus are beginning to embrace the current strategic plan in a more public display, as witnessed by the agenda for the Provost’s Retreat, where each section of the day was driven by elements of the plan. That effort and understanding needs to be communicated beyond administrative offices and the Joint Planning & Budget Committee.
A great number of the initiatives laid out in Building Our Academic Community of Learning and Inquiry are in actuality being considered, implemented or are already in place across our university. Two major stumbling blocks remain for campus buy-in of this plan: Communication and a sense of priorities. While many of these implementations are exemplary, there must be a coordinated communications effort to ensure the universality of effort, idea and acceptance. This lack of (or perceived lack of) communication is a perception that must be treated as serious and sincere. A successful Strategic Plan and University must have transparency. Free exchange of ideas and arguments for the good of the institution are necessary for survival in a state where higher education’s budgetary crisis can dictate educational direction. The budget will always force our hand as a state university but clear and effective communication across our campus will afford us the opportunities necessary for continued survival and growth.
We created a set of guiding principles outlined in the strategic plan. We felt our university should:
These principles need cohesion, commitment and priority. As the plan states, “The Joint Planning & Budget Committee will work in conjunction with other University governance groups to ensure that the exploration and implementation of the visions and goals set forth here actually become reality.” JP&B must have a higher degree of involvement in the examination and implementation of the Strategic Plan from across the university and work with all representative groups in creating a plan of priority for UW-L. Through greater communication and creation of campus-wide priorities we can truly create an institution worthy of the label “exceptional.”
Building Our Academic Community of Learning and Inquiry recognizes seven key areas of focus for our campus and lays them out with visions and goals for each area. The plan states that to reach our full potential, energy, time and resources needed to be concentrated in these areas.
These key areas of focus are:
Academics
Student Development
Diversity
Community
Globalization
Quality of Life
Resources
The following is a current assessment and status report for each of these key areas.
Academics
Vision
Academic programs at UW-L deliver high-quality, well-rounded education in intellectually stimulating environments that foster and produce: critical thinkers, lifelong learners, skilled and collaborative practitioners, and global citizens who use knowledge and technology with wisdom and ethics. The academic programs are multidisciplinary, culturally relevant, and flexible in their design in order to be accessible and responsive to a diverse community of learners.
Goals
• Deliver a broad-based rigorous General Education program.
• Create a culture where there are high expectations for students and faculty in the areas of academics, scholarship and creative activity, and service.
• Promote undergraduate and graduate academic programs that deliver a complete, well-rounded education.
• Create a culture of teaching, scholarship and creative activity, and service conducive to excellence and quality.
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Accountability |
Timeline |
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Actions Taken |
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Creation of Full-time faculty positions through Enrollment Initiative |
Provost, CFO |
2004-2005 |
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Significant revision to the Promotion Process |
Joint Promotion Committee, College Deans |
2004-2005 |
|
Evaluation of departmental assessment plans |
SAH College Committee CLS College Committee |
2004-2005 |
|
Revised and clarified letters for review and retention |
College Chairs & Deans |
Ongoing |
|
Mini grants offered by College of EESHR and CLS to enhance programs and improve teaching & scholarship |
Dean EESHR/Dean CLS |
2004-2005 |
|
Course revisions & new course development promoting international business in Western Wisconsin |
Dean CBA, US Department of Education |
Through 2007 |
|
Director of Summer School appointed |
Provost |
Spring 2005 |
|
“Recognition of Excellence” program for students and faculty |
CLS Dean |
Ongoing |
|
CLS Summer School Task Force |
CLS Dean |
2004-2005 |
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|
|
|
Improved Document Delivery |
Murphy Library ILLiad/Odessy |
Ongoing |
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Actions In Progress |
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Review of Current General Education Program |
GEC, Director of General Education, Faculty Senate |
Ongoing |
|
Learning Outcomes Study |
The University Community |
Ongoing |
|
Gen Ed Course Review |
The University Community |
Ongoing |
|
Program Review Study (including non-academic programs)
|
Ad Hoc Program Array Review Committee, Faculty Senate |
Ongoing |
|
CLS Core Curriculum Review |
CLS Curriculum Committee |
Ongoing |
|
ITS Campus 5-Year Technology Vision |
CIO, Provost, Financial Services |
Spring 2005 |
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Creation/Revision of faculty development for training faculty in technology of teaching and learning |
CIO-ITS/Educational Technologies, Provost Office |
Ongoing |
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Review of General Education |
SAH College Committee |
Ongoing |
|
Council on Undergraduate Research |
Continuing Ed, SAH |
2004-2005 |
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Expansion of ME-PD Program |
Continuing Ed |
2004-2005 |
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Planning Phase for New Academic Building |
Campus Planner, CIO |
Ongoing |
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Grants for Online Course Development |
Dean, CLS |
Ongoing |
|
Development of Professional Communication Degree Completion |
Dean, CLS |
Ongoing |
|
Development of M.A. in Archaeology |
Dean, CLS |
Ongoing |
|
Development of Online SDA Degree Program |
Dean, CLS |
Ongoing |
|
Revision of University Honors Program |
Dean, CLS |
Ongoing |
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Actions Needed |
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Completion of General Education Study |
Director of General Education, GEC, Faculty Senate, Campus Community |
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Summer School Study |
Director of Summer School, Faculty Senate, Deans |
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Increased opportunities for Faculty Development |
College Deans, Provost |
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Work to restore classroom size to manageable levels |
Provost, CFO, Deans, Chairs |
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Revision of CST 110 |
CST Faculty, CLS Dean |
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Provide Structure and Support for Freshman Writing Program |
Dean, CLS |
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Student Development
Vision
As a student-centered campus, UW-L will enhance student development by providing services and programs that address the needs of all students. By supporting the personal, physical, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, vocational/professional, social, cultural, and global development of students, UW-L will nurture a community of active citizens and involved life-long learners.
Goals
• Expand and enhance advising and mentoring programs.
• Enrich learning opportunities both in and out of the classroom.
• Promote inclusive student involvement, leadership, service, and activism across the university and community.
• Foster programs and services that continue to optimize student health and quality of life issues.
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Accountability |
Timeline |
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Actions Taken |
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|
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Creation of Academic Advising Center (AAC) |
Director AAC, Provost
|
Fall 2004
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LA X Mentoring Program |
Counseling & Testing Center |
Fall 2005 |
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Enhanced mentoring programs (undergraduate research) |
College Deans & Chairs |
2004-2005 |
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ULEAD Program |
SDAS & SAC |
Fall 2005 |
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FYE Residence Hall Experience |
Office of Residential Life |
Fall 2004 |
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Expanded Alternative Break Program |
Office of Multicultural Student Services, SAC |
Fall 2005 |
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SYE (Sophomore Year Experience) Residence Hall Program |
Office of Residential Life |
Fall 2005 |
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Examination of Student Dean |
SAC |
2004-2005 |
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Expanded Service/Volunteer programs through Involvement Center |
SDAS, SAC, Involvement Center |
Ongoing |
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Community service by Allied Health students |
Department of Health Professions |
Ongoing |
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Creation of Web Based Parking Sales |
Director, Protective Services |
Summer 2005 |
|
Expanded the number of meetings with Chancellor and Dean of SDAS to discuss issues. |
Chancellor, Dean of SDAS |
2004-2005 |
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Refinement of SAH 105 To help enhance student health |
SAH |
Ongoing |
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Research grants and travel support offered to graduate and undergraduate students by the College of EESHR & CLS |
Dean EESHR & CLS |
2004-2005 |
|
CBA 1st year mentoring program for minority business students |
CBA Faculty & Staff |
Ongoing |
|
Faculty/Staff forum on Hmong cultural issues and the classroom |
CBA |
Spring 2005 |
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Funding for CBA student study abroad |
CBA |
2004-2005 |
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Financial Support for Model UN and Mock Trial |
Dean, CLS |
2004-2005 |
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Advising Support for Academically At-Risk Students |
Dean, CLS |
2004-2005 |
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Actions In Progress |
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First Year Experience |
General Education Committee |
Ongoing |
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Integration of Student Health Services and Counseling Services? |
Office of Student Life |
Fall 2005 |
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Expansion of Student Internship in Technology/Marketing |
CIO-ITS |
Ongoing |
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New Student Residence Hall |
Campus Planner, CIO |
Summer 2006 |
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Actions Needed |
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Expand Senior Capstone Opportunities |
GEC, Departments |
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Institute “One-Stop Shopping” for student services |
SDAS, SAC, OSL, CFO |
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Increase access for students with disabilities |
Disability Resource Services, SDAS, SAC |
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Increased Funding for CLS Students Study Abroad |
Dean, CLS |
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Diversity
Vision
UW-L is committed to ensuring an intellectually challenging and welcoming learning environment for all members of the campus community. Students, administrators, faculty, staff and community members learn and work in a physically and psychologically safe environment where they are valued for their similarities and their differences. Differences have been recognized as valued resources for the academic, cultural, and personal development that has occurred in our country and our world; therefore, they are viewed as essential to an intellectually stimulating environment. An atmosphere that fosters the exploration of issues from multiple perspectives will be commonplace for academic exploration and growth. Because diversity is an integral part of UW-L, students graduate with a commitment to being culturally knowledgeable world citizens. This diversity vision is designed to supplement and not to duplicate or replace Plan 2008.
Goals
• Build a campus culture that fosters recruitment and retention of a diverse administration, faculty, staff and students.
• Infuse diversity throughout the curriculum.
• Develop a structure for faculty and staff that includes and values diversity.
• Centralize and coordinate diversity resources and programs to optimize impact and efficiency.
• Foster the mutual expansion of diversity through reciprocal relationships between the campus and the community.
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Accountability |
Timeline |
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Actions Taken |
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Diversity Organization Coalition (Student groups) |
OMSS, OSL, SAC |
2004-2005 |
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Expansion of ASI program from summer to year-long |
OMSS |
Ongoing |
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Improved and increased efforts in recruitment of students |
Deans & Chairs SAH |
Ongoing |
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Recruitment of a diverse staff |
Deans & Chairs SAH |
Ongoing |
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Student Diversity Initiative |
Registrar |
Ongoing |
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Record number of International students enrolled |
Office of International education |
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Development of Diversity Workshop for Search & Screen Committees |
Dean, CLS |
2004-2005 |
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Actions In Progress |
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Plan 2008 Phase II |
Assistant to the Chancellor for Affirmative Action & Diversity |
Fall 2005 |
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Increased documentation of diverse cultures in campus promotional and educational multi-media materials |
CIO-ITS/Educational Technologies |
Ongoing |
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Diversity Mentoring Program for Faculty |
CLS |
Ongoing |
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Support of Diversity Fellowship for Faculty |
CLS |
Ongoing |
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Support of Diversity Workshops, Lectures, Performances |
CLS |
Ongoing |
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Actions Needed |
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Implementation of Plan 2008 Phase II |
Chancellor, Provost, AAD, Deans, Faculty, Staff and Students |
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Expansion of Diversity in Faculty, Staff and Administration |
University community |
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Continue to centralize and coordinate diversity resources and programs |
AAD, OMSS, SAC, Student Services |
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Community
Vision
We envision a community-friendly campus and a campus-friendly community that are interconnected; these communities collaborate to share resources and expertise; achieve mutual goals by building relationships with stakeholders; and embrace diversity and creativity in people, ideas, and opportunities.
Goals
• Develop, nurture and sustain an inclusive community where all voices are heard and valued.
• Explore work/life issues that strengthen the broader campus community.
(such as partner benefits, child care, elderly care, health and wellness education.)
• Provide regular community building and recognition events on campus.
• Develop and maintain positive university and community relations.
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Accountability |
Timeline |
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Actions Taken |
|
|
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Chancellor’s Community Council |
Chancellor |
Ongoing |
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Off Campus Neighborhood Celebrations |
Director, Protective Services |
Ongoing |
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Mentoring linkages between UW-L Business faculty and local High Schools |
CBA Faculty |
Ongoing |
|
Creation of outreach office for Wisconsin World Trade Center |
Small Business Development Center |
2004-2005 |
|
Seminars & Training for Small Businesses on International Business |
CBA |
2004-2005 |
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Creation of student links to Future Business Leaders and Junior Achievement |
CBA |