Summary of Strategic Planning:

Dr. Bob Shirley presented an overview of the strategic planning process and the importance of developing a vision for the College of Charleston. In order to establish this clear vision for the future, Dr. Shirley stated that the institution itself must be committed to evaluating alternatives and making the decisions needed to create our desired future. Variables that should be considered are external trends (economy), our internal environment (strength & weaknesses of the institution), and attention must be given to the value and culture of the College.

The process of strategic planning will engage many people and culminate in specific decisions. In making these decisions, the College must consider several guidelines:

1. Basic mission of the College
2. Clientele- our target audience
3. Program/service mix- academic and non-academic services
4. Comparative advantages- the competitive position established by the institution
5. Objectives- what the College of Charleston must do to move from existing to desired state

The Long Range Planning Committee will examine the external forces (opportunities, threats, constraints), the strengths and weaknesses of the College, culture & values. Financial & facilities, political, educational competitive, and technological issues to determine an appropriate direction for the College of Charleston.

Notes:

Groups finish work by December 1999/January 2000
Reports by March 2000

Q & A

• All resources from secretarial to expert will be available (President's pledge)
• Will be framing research that has to be conducted
• What will be needed to complete the task
• The report will be written by the working group, items of pertinent knowledge, and complied in implications- 2 to 5 pages to be given to the central committee.
• Contacts - Conrad Festa, Andy Abrams, Sarah Simmonite
• Dr. Festa has appointed the chairs of each working group
• Unification committee can be called in to hear expectations (community/MUSC-exploratory committee

Conrad Festa's closing comments:

• Have website for committee
• Path forward- what next? for each working group
• Leave notes- to be recorded, published and distributed
• There is an Education summit in June that might be of interest to the working groups.