AGENDA ITEM NO: 8.2
UNIVERSITY COUNCIL
PLANNING AND PRIORITIES COMMITTEE
FOR INFORMATION ONLY
PRESENTED BY: Jay Kalra, Chair, Planning and Priorities Committee
DATE OF MEETING: May 27, 2010
SUBJECT: Progress Report on Implementation of the Second
Integrated Plan
COUNCIL ACTION: For information only
CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND:
The 20 university-level commitments within the Second Integrated Plan articulate the university’s broad goals and strategic areas of interest. Over the past year, the Planning and Priorities Committee has engaged in ongoing discussion of the university-level commitments within the Second Integrated Plan , and on April 28, 2010, received the
University of Saskatchewan Second Integrated Plan: 2009/10 Progress Report, as attached.
DISCUSSION SUMMARY:
The committee has been informed in all aspects of its work by its involvement in the development of the strategic planning dimensions of the university’s integrated plan and the college and unit plans and associated planning parameters. The Planning and
Priorities Committee has an essential role related to the integration of resources and planning in support of the university’s academic priorities. The following describes the committee’s consideration of the commitments of the plan over the course of the year.
Additional details on implementation of the Second Integrated Plan and associated outcomes are included in the attached progress report.
Over the course of the year, the committee was primarily engaged with the priorities to improve the student experience; develop a more effective financial resource allocation model; and the overarching commitment for quality and accountability. Consultation has also taken place with the committee regarding the commitment towards Responsive and
Flexible Policies and Processes, the Capital Resources Commitment , and the Areas of
Pre-eminence Commitment.

A significant outcome of the Quality and Accountability Commitment was the development of the university’s first Achievement Record , as presented earlier to Council.
Consisting of a set of performance measures and indicators by which the university can gauge its progress against the core institutional priorities reflected in the Second
Integrated Plan, the Achievement Record exists as a key outcome of the plan.
The Financial Resources Commitment and the development of a new model for allocation of financial resources based upon defined principles and indicators is an important strategic effort which is well underway and has extensively involved the committee since January. The goal of the Financial Resources Commitment is to strengthen the university’s financial position and stewardship through sustainable budgeting, an improved control environment with enhanced transparency, and the development of a process for effective resource allocation.
The Planning and Priorities Committee received an early version of the university’s
Enrolment Action Plan in the fall, and will receive a further report in June, in conjunction with an update on the commitment towards a Diverse Student Body . The Enrolment
Action Plan broadly addresses many aspects of the commitments to Improve the Student
Experience, implementing effective enrolment management and strategies, shaping enrolment to increase participation rates of Aboriginal, international and out-of-province students, and supporting the positive engagement of all students.
The committee’s consideration of the commitment to enhance the research, scholarly and artistic profile of the university has been discussed in relation to the Areas of Preeminence or ‘ Signature Areas’ commitment, articulated within the plan as the goal to identify existing areas of exceptional research and scholarship and promote these widely.
In addition to participation at the January, 2010, commitment leader progress workshop, which highlighted the university’s Aboriginal initiative, the committee discussed the successes and challenges associated with Aboriginal programming on several occasions with the Special Advisor to the President on Aboriginal Initiatives. Consideration of
Aboriginal issues is an integral aspect of the committee’s discussions across all planning dimensions.
As outlined in the plan, a systematic and cyclical graduate program review process is being introduced to assess the quality of graduate programs. In addition, periodic assessment of units, including centres, and related programs and services is underway, as outlined in the university’s Framework for Assessment. Throughout the year, the committee was apprised of the university’s initiatives with respect to assessment as a means to improve quality and inform decision-making.
As the university continues its planning efforts, an important outcome observed and encouraged by the committee is the increasing connectivity between and among commitments. The interlinking of goals and objectives of the commitments, beyond the supporting commitments of the plan, is considered a measure of success, leading to a more cohesive institution able to draw upon its diversity as an asset.

The Planning and Priorities Committee acknowledges the key role played by the
Institutional Planning and Assessment Office in implementing the Second Integrated
Plan and informing the committee of the university’s progress towards meeting its expressed goals. The committee also acknowledges the efforts of the office in informing the broader university community in this regard, with workshops held through the year on progress towards the commitments of the plan, including the upcoming workshop planned on June 10 th and the symposium on development of the institutional indicators in the Achievement Record on June 16 th
.
ATTACHMENTS:
University of Saskatchewan Second Integrated Plan: 2009-10 Progress Report