5-20-2010
University Planning Council
Annual Report for 2009-10 (Draft)
Members:
Ariano, Patricia; Maria de la Camara; Kari Gibbons; Alan Gorr; Eileen Kolich (Chair); Marco
Masini; Susan Mikula; Mercy Robb; Peter Seely; Nancy Stoecker.
Ex Officio: Jonathan Lewis
Duties (as per Faculty Handbook):
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To make recommendations to the President on the Strategic Plan;
To assist the President in the oversight of the strategic planning process and in the
implementation of the University’s Strategic Plan;
To communicate regularly with the faculty and solicit their input on matters the
committee has under consideration;
To assist the President in the formulation of the University’s Financial Exigency Plan;
To serve as the AQIP Steering Committee;
To report to the President.
Membership:
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Chairperson of the Faculty Assembly
Two Regular Faculty Members
Two Academic Deans
Vice President for Business and Finance; Compliance Officer/Internal Audit Manager
Associate Vice President for University Services
Associate Vice President for Enrollment
Executive Director, Special Projects
Executive Director of Marketing and Communications
Assistant to the Provost for University Academic Assessment Coordination (ex officio)
Major Focus of the UPC to Date:
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Establishing the University Strategic plan as the cornerstone for the institutional vision,
goals and related planning processes;
Positioning the UPC as the conduit that fosters collaboration and shared responsibility
across the university when planning for the future and affecting change;
Serving as the AQIP Steering Committee: Approving AQIP Action Projects; Overseeing
and implementing projects (as applicable);
Supporting AQIP initiatives leading to re-accreditation (Updating the Systems Portfolio):
o Collecting information and updating the Systems Portfolio related to
opportunities for improvement as per HLC Team recommendations.
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Summary of Activities (2009-2010)
Meeting Schedule: Typically every other Thursday for 1.5 hours
Sept. 17, 2009:
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Council members reviewed the Systems Portfolio revision process, their respective roles
relative to their AQIP Category assignments; and the timeline for completion. Support
for the Systems Portfolio through a LiveText portfolio process was explored. Annual
AQIP reports were reviewed and the status of each was discussed.
The members discussed the relationship between the Benedictine 2015 plan and the
AQIP/University Strategic Plan and concluded that strategic planning within different
sectors of the university are reflected in and are part of the University Strategic Plan.
November 19, 2009:
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The UPC Chair proposed a vision for the UPC, which essentially positions the Council as the
governing/coordinating body responsible for centralizing university planning within the context
of the University/AQIP Strategic Plan and assisting the President with the implementation of the
plan;
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AQIP updates: format for Systems Portfolio; content expectations;
Strategic Planning Process: Council members shared new and current initiatives in
preparation for updating the current strategic plan.
December 3, 2009:
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Council members continued the discussion of current and new initiatives in the
academic and student support service areas ;
Members discussed ways to coordinate current academic and student support services
planning within the context of a centralized plan.
January 14, 2010:
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Council members supported the proposed agenda items for the spring term:
o Completing updates to the University Strategic Plan;
o Establishing a process that leads to ongoing strategic planning, accreditation and
accountability;
o Reviewing and revising the AQIP Action Planning document, as appropriate;
o Meeting with faculty/staff responsible for specific strategic planning initiatives;
o Initiating and overseeing action projects relative to specific initiatives, as needed;
o UPC members, who represent academic and university affairs units, assume the
responsibility for informing the Council of key initiatives in their respective areas
and assist with updates to the University plan accordingly.
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January 28, 2010:
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As per the Jan 14 meeting, UPC members scheduled key faculty and staff responsible for
current initiatives in the plan , to meet with the Council and provide updates on their
respective initiatives and future plans.
o Beth Vinkler: Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence
o Jean-Marie Kauth: Writing Program and Assessment; Environmental Awareness
Initiatives
February 11, 2010:
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Presentations:
o Alicia Tait and Al Martin: Center for Mission and Identity presentation. Included
updates on CMI sponsored and supported programs; programs in progress and
other significant events.
o Carol Swett, International Office: reviewed goals, accomplishments and plans
for future development and expansion.
AQIP Updates: Status of Collaborative Technologies action project (approved by UPC)
Records Management System’s Report and recommendations (add to strategic plan)
February 25, 2010:
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Presentations:
o Randy Williams, IT: addressed technology support across the campus and
elsewhere (China, Vietnam); Expand self-service; utilize digitalized documents;
google email for students; upgrade Microsoft exchange;
o Jack Fritts, Library: make technology more visible; access to all; 2700 journals
online; secure more content databases.
March 25:
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Presentations:
Julie Cosimo, Career Development: Goals
o Centralize the survey data and make it more accessible to the University
community through the Office of Institutional Research;
o Increase student preparation and participation in Career Development services
prior to graduation;
o Enhance delivery of services to adult students, perhaps through an online
program; and
o Improve the relationship between Career Development and the Deans.
Jay Stuart, Campus Services:
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o Provided an overview of the Campus Services organization including key
accomplishments during the past year. The organization consists of Project
Management, Maintenance; Housekeeping; Grounds; and the Sports Complex;
o Cited increased funding for capital improvements as the top priority;
o Stated that he needs to be informed of the University’s strategic plan and vision
so that he can plan from a physical structure perspective.
Council discussed adding the Athletics Department to the University Strategic Plan.
April 8, 2010:
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Presentations:
Mark McHorney, Athletics
o Completed athletics organization structure and athletics administrative team
structure, updated job descriptions, updated goals and objectives for all
programs and overall athletics, first draft of student athlete handbook
completed and will be shared 6/1/10, staff handbook in production in progress.
o Wants a faculty member to work side-by-side with athletics faculty
representative to help with awareness for our students.
o Data wish list – Graduation rates (data from 2005 and later isn’t solid), GPA,
incoming GPAs and ACT scores, class attendance records, exit surveys.
David Sonnenberger, Associate Provost
o Primary areas of responsibility are reporting data to HLC, IPEDS (department of
education), all external surveys, internal requests, fact book (snapshot of
enrollment info on 10/15 IPEDS freeze date).
o Status of Office of Institutional Research updated and recommendations
explored.
Martin Tracey, General Education Curriculum
o Task force with 19 representatives across the university. Working all year to
create statement of educational outcomes (handout shared at UPC meeting).
Studying comparative institutions. What should students know how to do/learn?
Currently 8 outcomes. Open forums 4/26 and 27 for community feedback.
o Foreign language component discussed/debate amongst their committee.
o Technology and Catholic and Benedictine Traditions are new outcomes.
April 22, 2010:
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Presentations
Charlie Gregory, Executive Vice President
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o Provided updates on the statue of the physical plant, renovation of the Rice
Center, food services and environmental enhancements, campus living and
fitness plans.
Don Taylor, Provost
o Updates on SCI (e.g., benefit planning); fund raising initiatives; technology
advancements and overall infrastructure transformation.
May 6, 2010:
AQIP Update: Status of Systems Portfolio – Jon Lewis:
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Current deadline for report to be submitted to HLC is June 1, 2010; extension requested;
UPC currently working on their assigned categories; copy editors needed; final
document needs to be 100 pages or 50,000 words
Jon is confident that we can meet the June 1 deadline but would like to have the leeway
for an extension. Don Taylor will approach the HLC to see if an extension is possible.
This process is further validation that an Office of Institutional Research is needed!
Strategic Plan Updates:
Program Review – M. de la Camara and A. Gorr: Schedule for Program Review needs to be
updated as well as the Program Review Handbook;
Data Collection for Compliance and Accountability and Improvement:
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Student Satisfaction Data – J. Lewis (currently on his hard drive);
Computer-Assessment Systems – J. Lewis: Exploring a number of Learning Management
Systems that address both data collection that supports compliance and improvement
(student learning).
UPC Agenda and Minutes
Available on the S-drive: UniversityInfo/Committees/AQIP/UniversityPlanningCouncil
Eileen Kolich, Ph.D.
University Planning Council Chair
2009-10
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