Planning for Middlebury's Next Planning Process
By John Emerson
Dean of Planning
Although our strategic planning work begins in earnest after January 1, we have laid much of the initial groundwork for it during the past three months. Here I share some principles that have helped frame our goals during the "pre-planning for planning" phase.
I believe that our planning will reflect the following goals:
It will provide a strategic road map for the College over the next half-dozen years.It will identify how we can continue Middlebury's ascent among the best liberal arts colleges in the country by further strengthening our academic and educational quality and by enhancing our reputation for educational excellence.It will focus more on our people and the ways in which we work to advance the core educational mission – and probably somewhat less than in previous planning exercises on our facilities, infrastructure, and growth.It will be an inclusive process that invites all members of the College family to contribute to planning and to stay informed as the process evolves over the year.It will seek a balance between (a) being focused on the directions identified by President Liebowitz as important goals for his presidency and (b) being comprehensive in every department and area of the College. It need not replicate the work done by our standing committees and other existing committees; indeed, some planning outcomes will eventually reach those committees for legislative action and formal implementation.Most planning task forces will include some members who have considerable experience with the issues and questions being addressed and others who can add fresh perspectives.The planning will be organized in ways that transcend traditional boundaries in our organizational structures – departments, divisions, and natural constituent groups – so that the community gains both a broader perspective of the College's core mission and greater transparency about how the college functions.Planning requires an effective steering committee that can take the ideas and possibilities identified by task forces comprised of knowledgeable and imaginative people and weave them into a coherent whole that is compatible with the strategic directions identified by President Liebowitz.The steering committee must have the broad perspective needed to choose from among attractive options, to rank our strategic priorities, and to shape a plan that is imaginative, ambitious, and attainable through the good efforts of an energized community.
In our initial meetings this fall, we have tried to educate the community about how far the College has come in recent decades and about our key challenges for the coming years if we are to continue the College's steady gains in quality and reputation.
These meetings have also provided good opportunities for us to listen and to hear the aspirations of students, faculty, and staff for the College's future. I am optimistic about what I have heard already, and about our important work together in 2005. Please join me in helping to determine the College's future course.
12/22/04