All-College Planning and Priorities Committee Update

The All-College Planning and Priorities Committee will be holding its first meeting of the 2002 - 3 academic year in mid November. It will also be the first meeting led by provost and vice president for academic affairs Peter Bardaglio, who chairs the committee, and for several newly appointed members (see membership list).

"We've made great strides in focusing on the nine areas determined by the committee --- with input from throughout the College --- to be of greatest priority," says Bardaglio. "While the committee will continue with its charge of overseeing the implementation of the institutional plan, I join with President Williams in thanking all members of the campus community for their diligence and attention to incorporating the plan into their decision making.

"Clearly, we have more to do," Bardaglio adds, "but we have accomplished much and we need to recognize this. Everyone is encouraged to continue to keep the priorities and goals front and center as we move toward our goal of becoming 'the standard of excellence for residential comprehensive colleges.' "

Highlights and examples of the progress that has been made, listed by priority area, include the following:

ACADEMIC PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

• Continued to move forward to maximize our potential regarding interdisciplinary studies, including the establishment of a Division of Interdisciplinary Studies
• Continued faculty workload project
• Implemented an assessment and planning process for academic programs

DIVERSITY

• Founded MLK scholars program with inaugural class in fall 2002
• Established Center for the Study of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity
• Began Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Education, Outreach, and Services
• Developed new search and selection guidelines for filling faculty and staff positions
• Increased diversity programming and events
• Joined Northeast Consortium on Faculty Diversity
• Expanded program opportunities and initiatives with Frederick Douglass Academy in Harlem
• Increased curricular and faculty development opportunities at department and school levels
• Conducted several focused discussions at meetings of the Administrative Assembly

ENROLLMENT

• Met enrollment goals/targets established in October 2000, with planned modest growth in the Schools of Business and Humanities and Sciences
• Increased quality profile of new students
• Increased retention of students
• Established Web marketing team with increased use of the Web in admissions

EXPERIENTIAL AND PERFORMANCE-BASED LEARNING

• Expanded Park scholars program and developed MLK scholars program with community service components
• Increased opportunities for study-abroad experiences
• Established office of community service with expanded opportunities for student involvement

FACILITIES

• Adopted College master plan
• Moved forward with College Circle residential housing project
• Progressed with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and accessibility renovations
• Established Facilities Planning Committee to advise President Williams
• Appointed field house and School of Business fund-raising/planning committees

QUALITY OF STUDENT LIFE

• Added 350 beds to College's residential life program through lease of College Circle apartments
• Expanded theme housing (e.g., honors, first year, substance free)
• Implemented alcohol/substance abuse task force recommendations, including appointment of full-time coordinator/health educator
• Increased staffing in counseling services
• Established community service office with full-time coordinator
• Established LGBT center
• Began discussions and appointed committee to study College traditions
• Created student development research fund

QUALITY OF WORK LIFE

• Established office of staff training and development
• Initiated leadership development program
• Developed and enhanced employee recognition programs
• Founded Center for Faculty Research and Development
• Created fund for new initiatives
• Continued progress on faculty workload project

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

• Established faculty advancement/development committee
• Carried out study of integrated marketing and began implementation of recommendations
• Initiated discussion of a capital campaign
• Began School of Business and field house initiatives
• Continued to cultivate sense of "giving back" among senior class, resulting in increased giving to the senior class gift program
• Collaborated with private developer to finance College Circle project
• Conducted study resulting in repositioning of the Annual Fund to increase participation and giving rates

TECHNOLOGY

• Implemented new technologies for admission and administrative functions
• Added positions in the area of information technology
• Examined ways to put classroom scheduling on-line
• Implemented technology plan for systematic replacement of computing equipment
• Implemented Project Parnassus