High goals set for school future

By Benjamin Baxter
The Collegian

President Welty and other members of the Strategic Planning Committee met at the Satellite Student Union Monday in the first of two open forums to discuss their academic plan for the next five years.

The plan, when approved by the academic senate later this semester, will set a number of priorities for the university to accomplish.

Under the new plan, $500,000 will be spent annually on new priorities ranging from “Developing a Diverse and Global Perspective” to “Promoting the Success of All Students.”

Smittcamp Honors College Director Stephen Rodemeyer had a positive opinion of the strategic plan. “It was very thorough,” Rodemeyer said. “If even half of the priorities are addressed, we will be making real progress.”

It follows in the tradition of three previous Fresno State academic plans: Plan for the 90’s and the Plans for Excellence I and II.

According to the draft, this plan is different because it “focuses on innovation and transforming the community.”

The committee first presented a draft of its academic priorities late last week. The forum was intended to create a dialogue for review of the plan, and several of the committee members were present to answer questions.

Response was positive from those who attended the first forum, including representatives from the Department of Theatre Arts and the Department of Electrical Engineering.

Carole Snee, director of the services for students with disabilities commented on the composition of the committee. “I didn’t say this publicly, but I was impressed by the broad membership; it’s not all people from one area,” Snee said. “This is what we want.”

The committee meets every five years to discuss and implement new goals. The second forum will be at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 23 in the Alice Peters Auditorium.

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