Ithaca College

Submitted on behalf of Jason Freitag, Chair of Strategic Plan Design Team

On behalf of the Strategic Planning Design Team, I want to thank those of you who have taken time to provide feedback so far, remind you about additional opportunities to provide input, and share some clarifications we have already made as a result of community responses.

Deadline reminders for this stage of the process:

• Feedback period about the planning process closes September 15
• Nomination period for steering committee members closes September 15

The design team is hosting two open forums this week to answer questions and gather more feedback:

• September 13, 9:00 a.m., Ithaca Falls Room, Campus Center
• September 13, 12:00 p.m., Taughannock Falls Room, Campus Center

We have already received some very thoughtful feedback and questions. In response to those, we have updated the strategic plan draft process sections of the website.  Key updates:

Clarifications about the definition and role of Consultants or Subject Matter Experts. We had not provided an exhaustive list of the possible experts who will be consulted in the process, and we appreciate the specific suggestions for groups we have left out.  The Subject Matter Experts will come from all areas of the campus, and will offer specific assistance as appropriate for the theme or the Working Groups they consult.

Estimates of the time commitments for participants in the planning process. There are many different ways to be involved in the process, and they will entail different time commitments.

Groups will be encouraged to allow members to work remotely, as appropriate.Preliminary time commitment estimates (subject to change), by role:

Steering Committee:

• 2 hour weekly meeting
• Working Groups membership (for some)
• Work outside meetings possible

Working Groups:

• 1- to 2-hour weekly meeting, January-April
• Work outside meetings possible

Subject Matter Experts: Variable, as needed

Strategic Planning Partners and Planning Delegates: 1-2 meetings per semester

Community at large: Variable, as individual interest dictates

Information on how the Working Group members will be chosen.  Each working group will have two co-chairs.  One of the co-chairs will be a member of the Steering Committee, and one will be a member of the campus community, identified either through the general nominations process or based on particular expertise in the associated theme. The co-chairs of each Working Group will select the remaining 6-8 members of the group, made up of faculty, staff, students and relevant stakeholders.  The co-chairs of the Steering Committee will review group membership with the group co-chairs to ensure the groups are working consistently and that group membership supports the goals of the planning process.

The Steering Committee will set basic guidelines for the operation of the Working Groups, but the Working Groups will have freedom to be creative in establishing themselves, and to determine how they will engage outreach to the community.

You can find all of the above updates on the relevant sections of the strategic plan website as well.

We hope to see many of you in one of the open meetings on September 13, whether you have questions, feedback, ideas, or suggestions for individuals to involve in the process.