President Rodney Rogers discussed the University’s strategic plan and answered student questions during an open forum session at the Undergraduate Student Government meeting on Monday.
Rogers explained the six objectives of the strategic plan and why they are so important for the University. The strategic plan outlines a five-year process to make the University the best it can be and provides students with the best experience and education possible, Rogers said.
The six objectives were developed after participants at four forums held last spring completed surveys on what they felt were the most important goals for the school. These forums and surveys were analyzed, and 16 overarching themes were determined. Those themes were then boiled down to the following six objectives as described by Rogers.
1. Provide students with a superior learning experience.
“We have to change how we teach, what we teach and where we teach,” Rogers said.
Rogers said he is hoping for classrooms to focus more on discovery-based learning, which would give students a more interactive learning experience.
He also said he would like to improve how the University works with nontraditional students by providing more opportunities for students to learn outside of a traditional classroom setting. Nontraditional students include students who work full time, are financially dependent, are single parents or are 24 years or older, among other things. Examples of nontraditional learning environments include hybrid classes, online classes and off-campus locations.
2. Focus on research and creative activities.
“We need to connect the dots between research and public good,” Rogers said.
Rogers said the University wants to promote creative activities as well as research because both impact the community on a local and national level.
3. Support all individuals.
This ties back in with Roger’s goal of making greater effort of catering to nontraditional students. This objective also focuses on fostering diversity and inclusion in the University community.
The themes that made up the third objective include increased access to mental health services and recruitment and retention of diverse students, faculty and staff.
4. Foster partnerships and collaboration efforts with other institutions.
This includes the University’s recent partnerships with Mercy College and Cedar Fair Entertainment Company.
In September, the University signed a letter of intent to join a partnership with Mercy College to combine healthcare programs. The collaboration with Cedar Fair is helpful to students who are in the Resort and Attraction Management program, which is one of only three in the country.
5. Maintain the affordability of the University.
Rogers said his aim is to maintain efficiency and affordability while never compromising quality.
In 2017, the University was named the most affordable college in Ohio by Business Insider, which Rogers said he is very proud of.
6. Tell the story of the University.
This includes promoting notable alumni and the University’s reputation as a national research university.
Moving forward with the strategic plan
Rogers said students can expect to see changes in the classroom in upcoming years. Some of these changes are already being implemented with the new partnerships and alternative classroom styles.
Other USG news
USG also passed a new budget and approved a resolution for new furniture in their offices.
The next meeting will take place Oct. 29 in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union theater.