The current strategic plan that Webster University is currently operating under has come to an end for this fiscal year of 2008, and the Board of Trustees has been promised a new plan by the of this fiscal year.

History & Process:

Back in early 2007, under the guidance of President Meyers, Neil George (Executive Vice President & Vice President of Academic Affairs) and Dave Garafola (Vice President for Finance & Administration) were appointed as chairs to the strategic planning committee.  President Meyers kicked this initiative off with a retreat in June.  With the leadership in place Deborah Dey (Vice President of Students & Enrollment Management) held meetings over the summer, with constituencies from all over Webster University to try and redefine what the Mission, Vision and Core Values will be for Webster University through the year 2020.  This information was compiled and served as the starting point for the formal committee to begin working on in September.  From there a formal presentation was given at the Worldwide Director’s Meeting in October, and was lead by Neil George, Dave Garafola, and Deborah Dey. The strategic planning committee’s goal is straightforward; compile the Mission and Vision Statements, and form the Goal’s, Objectives, and Core Values for the University. 

The second thrust of this initiative is the formation of the Institutional Planning Committee, chaired by Jim Staley (Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs) and Dan Hitchell (Associate Vice President for Resource Planning & Budget). This committee will compose the Strategies and Metrics that will support the work of the Strategic Planning Committee. 

An emphasis needs to be placed on the fact that this process is not static and that this isn’t an exercise that once completed will be “put on a bookshelf”.  This plan will drive all University initiatives and be under constant review for change as the University grows and expands.

Progress of the Strategic Planning Committee to Date:

Currently the Strategic Planning Committee has made great progress to date.  Intense work is being done on refining the Vision Statement and Core Values of the institution.  In the past two meetings the committee has reduced the goal concepts from sixteen (16) to six (6) and has “wordsmithed” draft statements to describe them.  Most of the goal concepts that didn’t make the final six (6) were turned into possible objectives, which support the current draft goals.  To see what the committee started with please reference the document titled “Goal Concept Statements 10-4-07 (Golden)”.  This document serves as the direct reference manual for the latest work composed by the committee titled “Vision 2020 Workbook 10-17-07 (Golden).  This workbook will serve as a vehicle that will help facilitate the progress of the committee. In time, the workbook will grow into the final strategic planning document that will be submitted to the Board of Trustee’s and the worldwide communities we serve.  While there is a great deal of editing and formatting to come, the committee would like you to focus on the content of this document. 

Should you ever wonder what the general understanding or definition is of a concept or word  please refer the document titled “Webster University Planning Dictionary”, this is where the committee will define certain key words so that everyone is working with a consistent meaning and understanding. 

Current Committee Initiatives:

With the current deadline of submitting Draft Mission and Vision Statements at the January 8th Board of Trustee’s Meeting, the Committee will be intently focusing on the following areas:

• Refine the Vision Statement

• Refine the Core Values

• Identify Objectives for the Draft Goals

How You Can Actively Participate:

All committee communication will be delivered through the strategic planning website: www.webster.edu/strategicplan/home.shtml .  This website is where all the documents listed above and others can be found for your review.  On this website there is a feedback box that you can utilize to submit comments and suggestions on any aspect of the plan.  This is directly linked to the committee, so your feedback will be heard.  There will be a notification area just above the feedback box letting you know what the current focus of the committee is and when the next meeting will be.  This is all being put together so that you have every chance to actively participate and be apart of what will drive the success of Webster University through the year 2020.  Please check the website often as it is the committee’s hope that you review and add to great work that has been done and is soon to come.

Planning Process Pyramid