Ball State has begun the planning process that will result in a strategic plan for 2006-10 with the appointment of a task force that will post regular updates and gather input through a Web site.

Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora said the new strategic planning process provides an opportunity to address new challenges as the university moves forward.

"The university's current strategic plan for 2001-06 set an appropriate course for the university in the 21st century, and considerable progress has been made in achieving many of the goals and objectives of that plan," Gora said. "However, it is time now to initiate a new strategic planning process that will increase the momentum the university has generated and will set a course by which the university can become truly distinctive."

Beverley Pitts, provost and vice president for academic affairs, is chairing the task force, which plans to present its report to the president in the fall.

In delivering her charge to the task force, Gora asked the committee to begin with the following planning assumptions: 

• While some targeted and strategic growth at the graduate level is warranted, the university's focus should remain at the undergraduate level
• Building or enhancing nationally ranked academic programs and increasing selectivity in admissions will enhance the university's visibility and reputation
• Guaranteeing an experiential learning opportunity to all academically qualified students will enhance the distinctiveness of Ball State's academic experience
• The university must develop alternative revenue sources because future state financial support will be limited
• The university must maintain its committment to fostering economic development within Indiana
• Ball Sate must continue to develop and implement the most effective use of technology in teaching and learning
• Certain performance measurements, such as retention and graduation rates, will continue to be important to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education
• A diverse faculty, staff and student population enhances the educational environment and reflects the global economy of the 21st century

"I am particularly interested in the task force's recommendations regarding ways to guarantee an in-depth, immersive learning experience to every academically qualified student," Gora said. "This kind of experience is of tremendous personal value to students, yielding unmatched educational benefits as they integrate theory learned in the classroom with practical skills learned on the job. This can really make the Ball State experience exceptional, and it can make our students stand out when they hit the job market."

The task force will regularly post meeting agendas and minutes at www.bsu.edu/strategicplan. The site also includes a list of task force members and a comment box for e-mail. The task force will review all comments. As planning progresses, additional content will be added to the site, and the task force will host open forums and other opportunities for comment.

"Input from alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and community members will be very important to the task force," Pitts said. "As we consider alternatives for shaping the university's long-range goals and strategies, we need to hear from everyone and build a consensus around the right direction for Ball State."

(Note to editors: For more information, contact Heather Shupp, executive director of University Communications, at hshupp@bsu.edu or (765) 285-1560.)