Strategic Planning at LSSU
Presented at
Fall Convocation
August 24, 2010
Greatness is not a function
of circumstance. Greatness
is largely a matter of
conscious choice, and
discipline.
Jim Collins
Status Quo is not an option
LSSU Mission and Vision
Statement
• Our principal mission at Lake Superior State
University is to help students develop their full
potential. We do this by providing high-quality,
academically rigorous programs in an engaged,
personal and supportive environment. This
combination nurtures potential and sets students
on paths to rewarding careers and productive,
satisfying lives. We also serve the regional,
national and global communities by contributing
to the growth, dissemination and application of
knowledge.
Strategic Questions
•
•
•
•
Who are we?
Where are we going?
What will it look like when we get there?
How are we going to pay for our future?
Shared Values (draft)
• Core Values Process
• The Shared Governance Strategic Planning
and Budget Committee is charged with
helping develop the university strategic
plan. To begin this process, the Committee,
after reading several documents, including
Jim Collins Aligning Actions and Values
and the current mission and vision
statements, determined that the logical
starting place was to document the core
values of the university. A survey was
created and distributed to as many people
on campus as could be reached.
Core Values (draft)
• Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Teaching
is our first priority and focuses on providing
student/faculty interaction, learning, and
research in current, relevant programs.
• Opportunity. Students have a wide range of
opportunities to grow academically,
professionally, culturally and socially.
Opportunities are provided via work-study
assignments, student organizations, internships,
community outreach and leadership.
• Diversity. Students experience a campus
community environment which is inclusive and
welcoming.
Core Values (draft)
• Ethics and Values. The University promotes
an environment which values honesty,
openness, and courteous behavior where
everyone is treated with respect.
• Stewardship. LSSU provides a framework
in which to leave the university and region
financially and environmentally sound for
future generations of LSSU students,
alumni, and friends.
Your Strategic Planning and Budget
Advisory Committee
Linda Schmitigal (Chair), Associate
Professor of Management
Colleen Barr,
Secretary/Steelworkers Union
Executive Committee
Sherry Brooks, Vice President of
Finance/Presidents Council
Ron DeLap, Dean of Engineering
George Denger, Professor of
Communications/Leslie
Dobbertin, Professor of
Sociology
William Eilola, Vice President of
Enrollment and
Marketing/President’s Council
Deborah Faust, Director of
Financial Aid/Administrative
Professionals
Mary Jo Meehan, Assistant
Professor/Counselor
John Roese, Professor of
Biology
Magen Umlor, Student
Representative
Karizma Vance, Student
Representative
Maurice Walworth, Provost
Strategic Planning Process
• A cross section of LSSU employees and the Board of
Trustees (BOT) met for 1½ days in July and developed a
comprehensive set of seven goals that support the
mission and vision of LSSU. The Strategic Planning &
Budget Advisory Committee is working to solidify those
goals by developing 7-12 realistic action plans for each
goal. The committee will be meeting with representatives
from all of LSSU’s constituencies during the next 4-6
months to create the action plans, identify how the action
plans will be measured, and determine which areas
across campus will have responsibilities to ensure the
action plans are carried out as planned. The entire
process will be completed by February 15, 2011 with
open review periods planned for public comment and
input.
Strategic Planning—Board Retreat
Cisler Center, July 14 and 15
Board Retreat--Brainstorming
• Under the leadership of
Traverse Management
Resources, a day and a
half brainstorming took
place with the Board of
Trustees, the Strategic
Planning and Budget
Committee and other
campus constituents.
• The results of this
brainstorming are seven
goals, which will become
our focus over the next
few months.
Central Strategic Question at
Retreat
• What do you want to see in place three
years from now that will demonstrate
LSSU is a model of student-focused, high
quality, sustainable higher education?
Board Retreat--Goals
• Goal 1: Collaborative,
committed campus
community
• Goal 2: Competitive,
desirable school of
choice for students and
families
• Goal 3: Bridges to and
from the community
that create pride and
prosperity for both
Board Retreat--Goals
• Goal 4: Superior services and facilities for
students designed to respond to changing
student needs
• Goal 5: Excellent programs that maximize
regional assets and opportunities
• Goal 6: High value, up-to-date educational
resources that work
• Goal 7: Strategy for long-term financial
stability
What’s next?
• Our focus question: If space aliens
landed on LSSU’s campus three years
from now, what activities would you
want them to see that demonstrates
achievement of these goals?
Your Input is Needed
Goal 6: High value, up-to-date educational resources that work
What are we already doing?
What we could be doing?
Responsive, timely communications
Innovative living/learning opportunities
Goal 7: Strategy for long-term financial stability
What are we already doing?
What we could be doing?
Leverage environmentally-friendly tactics
Tie spending to strategic plan
If you need more space, please write on separate paper and send to Linda
Schmitigal or email lschmitigal@lssu.edu with your comments by
September 3, 2010.
How to participate
• Paper: fill in Strategic Goals form and send to
Linda Schmitigal via campus mail
• Electronic: go to
www.lssu.edu/sharedgovernance/planningbudget/
and find the Strategic Goals questionnaire on the
main page. Email to lschmitigal@lssu.edu
• Online: email strategic@lssu.edu to request an
invitation to wiggio to complete online
questionnaire.
• Attend a small group meeting either at
Development Day or at a Small Group Meeting
scheduled in September.
Measuring
Progress