Through the lens of the 战略规划 process, 总统以拦 finds that Oxy’s sense of 社区 remains very much alive
The 纪事报 of Higher Education recently published a lengthy examination of the 战略规划 process—an article that unsurprisingly attracted some attention 在这里 at Occidental, given that we launched our own integrated 战略规划 这个秋天的过程. In addressing the question, “What makes one strategic plan a success and another a waste of time?“ 纪事报 spoke to a number of experts, including Nicholas Santilli, senior director for learning strategy at the Society for College and University Planning.
It was reassuring to read that Oxy is following a number of best practices recommended by Santilli and others, including a reasonable time frame (five to 10 years), an inclusive process, and creating specific metrics for measuring progress toward goals and defining what success will look like. In all of the thousands of words of analysis, one of the points that struck me most forcibly was buried near the end of the piece: the way that a robust planning discussion fosters conversations and cooperation across campus. “That is the heart of integrated planning—that connectedness that comes in alignment, that comes out of collaboration,桑蒂利说.
I made it a priority to sit in on as many 社区 input sessions as my schedule would allow. (We held more than two dozen, in addition to soliciting comments online.) In running these hourlong meetings, Sharla·费特, Robert Glass Cleland Professor of American History and 教师 Council president, 和马蒂·夏基, vice president of communications and institutional initiatives, asked a series of probing questions but otherwise said very little. 而不是, they listened to students, 教师, and staff think out loud, 不间断, about what kind of institution Oxy is and should be, what we do well and what we should do better, how current programs and structures align with our mission, and what kind of priorities the College should have for the future.
Based on that feedback, as well as input gat在这里d from alumni and parents and data from other sources, we intend to develop a comprehensive view of Oxy’s institutional strengths, 机会, challenges and threats. That will in turn inform a vision statement we will develop to articulate the direction for the College.
Apart from people’s thoughtful analysis and suggestions, one thing that impressed me at these sessions is how real the College’s mission is to the 社区. The cornerstones of excellence, 股本, 社区, and service are not mere abstractions; they are living concepts that people use to hold themselves and the College accountable for the work that we do. It’s inspiring to hear their perceptions of the very real impact Occidental has on its students and, through our alumni and 教师 research, on the larger world.
It’s also gratifying to see what Santilli calls “connectedness” and what I would call “社区” emerge as people share their thoughts with a cross-section of colleagues from across campus. You can see the silos begin to crumble—even on the Oxy campus, t在这里 are silos—as they recognize a mutual dedication to the College and the high-quality urban liberal arts education it provides. 正如人们所预料的那样, participants have identified institutional shortcomings and areas for improvement. What made the sessions so illuminating for me was not just the critiques themselves but the passion for the College and its mission that was behind those critiques. Whatever their role, Oxy 社区 members are truly engaged and want to see the College succeed.
The disruptions caused by the pandemic over the last two years scattered the Oxy 社区 all over the globe until we were able to bring everyone back to campus this fall. We need a shared sense of 社区 more than ever, and it’s deeply reassuring to see, through the lens of the 战略规划 process, that Oxy’s sense of 社区 remains very much alive.
哈利J. 拦,小. will be inaugurated as Occidental's 16th president on Saturday, 4月23日, at Remsen Bird Hillside Theater. For more information, including how to attend the event in person, click 在这里.
