Background Documents
The Strategic Direction InitiativeLetter from the Provost
February 14, 2005
It is time to begin the work necessary for framing Boise State University’s
strategic directions for the next 5 years. This process is typically thought of
as “strategic planning,” and mere mention of the words cause some to shudder.
Our journey will be different. At the end of this e-mail I will outline how I
wish to engage our entire campus in conversations that will impact our future.
Before doing so, I need to provide some context within which our planning will
take place.
Our planning effort is not about changing the direction of the university, but
rather recognizing that we have been constantly evolving. As a result, our
targets for excellence and how we achieve them need to change as well.
Our vision is to be a “METROPOLITAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITY OF DISTINCTION.“ This
will be the motivating purpose for our planning process. We need to establish
the strategic direction that creates the bridge between where we are now and
achieving this vision.
The Strategic Directions plan will represent shared goals and agreed upon
definitions of success. It will define what we mean when we say Boise State
University is a metropolitan research university of distinction.
The process will be inclusive and create a framework on which we can hang our
imaginable future initiatives. It will be the document that provides us with
guiding principles, core values, goals, strategies, actions, measures, target
dates, and key responsibilities. It will challenge all of us to transform
ourselves.
It will be about our future, but written in the present. It will include areas
where we plan to make a difference. Although it will not change our core mission
of teaching, research and service nor the building blocks necessary to be a
great university, it will provide a focused campus direction. Most importantly,
our plan will directly inform our budgeting and decision making.
So what is the process?
The first phase (this semester) will operationally define what it means to be a
“METROPOLITAN, RESEARCH UNIVERSITY OF DISTINCTION.” We will provide all faculty,
staff, and students at Boise State University the opportunity for input through
focus groups, open sessions, and the web. Your ideas will be used to define our
vision (where we want to be in the future) in context of our mission and
institutional values. Details on session locations, times, and how to be engaged
in this process will be sent to you shortly.
Strategic Directions will serve as our road map for the strategies and goals
that will emerge in the months to follow. Subsequent phases will determine how
far we need to go to reach our vision based on our current situation (what I
have been calling a gap analysis); establish strategies and goals to get there;
and identify key performance indicators. Again, this process is designed to
establish an accountability/investment plan to guide our campus resource
allocations and decision making. I assure you that along the way I will seek
your input.
We are creating a website for you to learn more about the planning process, see
how you can be involved, and respond to questions; the web address will be sent
to you shortly. Throughout the process I am always available to respond to your
questions and comments. I thank you in advance for helping Boise State
University clearly define its future.
Sona K. Andrews
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs