| Educating Ill. program on track to improve ISU |
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| Written by Matthew Tomlin. Daily Vidette Reporter |
| Monday, 23 March 2009 00:00 |
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Illinois State is on track for reaching the five goals set out in the Educating Illinois Strategic Plan 2008 to 2014, according to Deb Smitley, associate VP for Finance and Planning. Numerous strategies are laid out for reaching each of the goals. "I've been quite pleased with the progress we've been able to make on a number of the strategies," Smitley said. "They lay a framework for the campus to focus energies and resources towards the institution's highest priorities. "That's what you see with the actions Educating Illinois and the campus have taken this year." The goals in the Strategic Plan include positioning students to excel in a globally competitive, culturally diverse, technological and changing environment, as well as demonstrating excellence in scholarship, teaching and learning at the undergraduate and graduate levels. They also include enhancing student, faculty, staff, alumni and community pride in the university and promoting a healthy, safe and environmentally sustainable campus. Jan Murphy, associate provost, said there are a number of strategies being implemented to prepare students for a more globally competitive environment. "We continually look at making a more diverse body of students, which we feel enhances the learning environment of all students," she said. "We look at retention of underrepresented students." "We look at bettering the experiences they have. We also continue to infuse civic engagement in the general education program." Smitley said another strategy is ensuring the campus remains accessible and affordable. "This year, the university devoted $5.2 million in financial aid for students who receive state monetary award program grants," she said. "Their grants don't cover the cost of tuition and fees." "It's money being targeted at those students who have the fewest resources.because we know obtaining a degree is so critical to obtaining success in the current global environment." Murphy said progress is easy to measure on some goals, while it is more difficult on others. "Some are very quantifiable and can be measured very quickly, such as retention rates, while there are some things that are more long term and ongoing such as the climate for underrepresented students," she said. The Educating Illinois coordinating team meets each week to brainstorm different strategies. Murphy said she is excited to be a part of a campus that always strives to better itself. "We didn't just put five goals down that we knew we could achieve, we set the bar higher," she said. We just keep trying to do better." |
