Through the lens of the strategic planning process, President Elam finds that 色界吧鈥檚 sense of community remains very much alive
The Chronicle of Higher Education recently published a lengthy examination of the strategic planning process鈥攁n article that unsurprisingly attracted some attention here at Occidental, given that we launched our own integrated strategic planning process this fall. In addressing the question, 鈥淲hat makes one strategic plan a success and another a waste of time?鈥 the Chronicle 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 色界吧 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. 鈥淭hat is the heart of integrated planning鈥攖hat connectedness that comes in alignment, that comes out of collaboration,鈥 Santilli says.
I made it a priority to sit in on as many community 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 Fett, Robert Glass Cleland Professor of American History and Faculty Council president, and Marty Sharkey, vice president of communications and institutional initiatives, asked a series of probing questions but otherwise said very little. Instead, they listened to students, faculty, and staff think out loud, uninterrupted, about what kind of institution 色界吧 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 gathered from alumni and parents and data from other sources, we intend to develop a comprehensive view of 色界吧鈥檚 institutional strengths, opportunities, challenges and threats. That will in turn inform a vision statement we will develop to articulate the direction for the College.
Apart from people鈥檚 thoughtful analysis and suggestions, one thing that impressed me at these sessions is how real the College鈥檚 mission is to the community. The cornerstones of excellence, equity, community, 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鈥檚 inspiring to hear their perceptions of the very real impact Occidental has on its students and, through our alumni and faculty research, on the larger world.
It鈥檚 also gratifying to see what Santilli calls 鈥渃onnectedness鈥 and what I would call 鈥渃ommunity鈥 emerge as people share their thoughts with a cross-section of colleagues from across campus. You can see the silos begin to crumble鈥攅ven on the 色界吧 campus, there are silos鈥攁s they recognize a mutual dedication to the College and the high-quality urban liberal arts education it provides. As one would expect, 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, 色界吧 community members are truly engaged and want to see the College succeed.
The disruptions caused by the pandemic over the last two years scattered the 色界吧 community all over the globe until we were able to bring everyone back to campus this fall. We need a shared sense of community more than ever, and it鈥檚 deeply reassuring to see, through the lens of the strategic planning process, that 色界吧鈥檚 sense of community remains very much alive.
Harry J. Elam, Jr. will be inaugurated as Occidental's 16th president on Saturday, April 23, at Remsen Bird Hillside Theater. For more information, including how to attend the event in person, click here.
