March 3, 2006

President Wilson convened the meeting at 3:00 p.m.    He asked the group whether there had been much conversation on campus about the Board of Trustees’ approval of the strategic plan.  Several members reported that our colleagues are very pleased and eager to begin implementation.  The President stated that he had visited several foundations in the past week and that the officers with whom he spoke were impressed with the plan.  The President hopes that these contacts will result in future financial support for plan initiatives.

The President then asked the Committee’s advice about assigning responsibility for implementing the planning goals and strategies.  He indicated that he would also be talking with the Cabinet, faculty committees, and the Staff Council, as appropriate, before making final assignments.  The group further acknowledged the importance of including the new Provost and Vice President for Public Relations at this stage.

The remainder of the meeting was spent discussing alternative ways of addressing the Teaching and Learning and Human Resources goals.   Committee members debated the merits of various implementation models, such as creating ad hoc committees or assigning overall responsibility to one or more standing committees or administrative offices.   The group reached no conclusions and agreed to continue the discussion at its next meeting on March 31. 

Distributed to all faculty and staff: March 31, 2006