Clarion University Presidential 500 Day Plan 2010 – 2012

The First 500 Days
Dr. Karen Whitney, President

15 September 2011
Status Report

Clarion University Presidential 500 Day Plan 2010 – 2012: September 2011 Update

Status Report
1. Purpose
The purpose of this Report is used to provide The Council of Trustees of Clarion University and other
stakeholders with a summary of the progress toward completing the Presidential 500 Day Plan.
This Report reflects actions and results achieved by Monday, 12 September 2011

2. Status summary
An overview of the status of achieving the desired results.
Academic Advancement
Goals:
Increase the number of
CU graduates annually.

Desired
Results
Increase the percentage of the
regional population who hold a
post-secondary degree from CU.

Actual Results/Comments

Consider establishing a
consortium of institutions
of higher learning that will
work together and
leverage their collective
resources to increase the
degree attainment of the
region.

Increase the percentage of the
population who hold a postsecondary degree through
partnerships and collaborations
with other post-secondary
institutions of higher learning in the
region.

Campus Climate
Goals:
Work to the greatest
extent possible to
cultivate a culture of
civility through policies,
events, programs, and
awards.
Encourage discussion and
dialogue through specific
listening activities.

Desired
Results
Faculty, staff and students
will report that the university
is a civil place in which to
learn, work, and live.

Actual Results/Comments

Students, faculty and staff
will report that they are
invited to participate in
discussions and dialogue
regarding advancing the
university.

Will conduct a forum on University
Financial Planning this fall.

Under Provost’s leadership
began piloting high impact
retention efforts for Fall
2011.
Submitted a grant to the
DOL to fund the
establishment of a
consortium of NW PASSHE
Universities. Anticipate a
DOL decision Fall 2011.

As a result of the campus talks
commissioned a committee to
recommend specific actions.
Expect a report by May 1, 2012.

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Clarion University Presidential 500 Day Plan 2010 – 2012: September 2011 Update

Civic Engagement
Goals:
Advance the university’s
commitment to enhance
the quality of life for the
regional community
through curricular, cocurricular, research and
institutional efforts.

Represent the university
to other organizations and
institutions in order to
advance mutual interests.

Desired
Results
More students and more
faculty report that civically
engaging activities (applied
research, international
learning, service learning,
experiential learning, and
volunteer/community
service) were incorporated
into their coursework.
Partnerships have been
strengthened and/or
established that contribute
to achieving the university’s
vision, mission, and goals.

Actual Results/Comments
Will work with new Provost to
advance through strategic direction
setting this year.

Collaborating with the Borough to
develop a Borough-University
Master Plan. A Request For
Proposals has been developed and
will be issued this fall.
Meeting monthly with the Borough
leadership regarding public safety.

Financial Stewardship
Goals:
Establish a financial
system called
Responsibility Centered
Management (RCM) in
order to ensure mission
driven, evidenced based
fiscal decisions.
Establish a university
culture of philanthropy

Desired
Results
A financial planning model
will be created and in use
throughout the university by
the Provost, Vice Presidents,
Deans, Department Chairs
and Directors.

Actual Results/Comments

The successful launch of a
multi-year university
comprehensive fund-raising
campaign.

The campaign is under
development. Focus this year on
alumni and donor outreach.

Done: Launched RCM 7/1/11.
Conducting monthly financial
planning meetings with the 12
Responsibility Center Managers.

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Clarion University Presidential 500 Day Plan 2010 – 2012: September 2011 Update

Institutional Leadership
Goals:
Create an organizational
culture that encourages
university leadership to
pursue their highest and
best work in order to
achieve desired results.

Establish a university
culture of institutional
planning, assessment and
improvement.

Desired
Results
CU will have a leadership
team of Vice Presidents,
Associate/Assistant Vice
Presidents/Provosts and
Deans who work effectively
together and will have
earned the confidence of the
majority of the faculty and
the staff.
Data driven decision-making;
the use of institutional plans
to continuously improve the
institution is common
practice throughout the
university.

Actual Results/Comments
Conducted a planning retreat with
the President’s Executive Council
(PEC) in August.
In the process of developing an
instrument to measure “earned
confidence” to be administered
Spring 2011.
Dr. Andrea Lex has been retained
as a consultant to assist the
university to complete 4 major
university plans (University
Strategic Directions Plan, Academic
Plan, Student Life Plan, Finance &
Administration Plan) on time and
using a best practice approach. A
Strategic Directions Plan will be
completed by May 1, 2012 and the
other 3 plans by May 1, 2013.
A joint retreat of the Council of
Trustees and Foundation Board of
Directors was held on August 19,
2011, to help members develop a
shared vision of the university’s
future and set the stage for the 1112 strategic planning process.

Summary of significant actions taken during the period
Opened for fall classes.
Leading a multi-university effort to pursue a $19 Million DOL grant that will establish a
consortium of NW PASSHE Universities.
Continue to adapt RCM into our budgeting and financial practices.
Continue to work with the Clarion Borough to collaborate on a Borough-University Master Plan
and meeting regularly regarding mutual public safety interests.
Began working with the new Provost.

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Clarion University Presidential 500 Day Plan 2010 – 2012: September 2011 Update

3. Major Work In Progress Between Now And The Next Trustee
Meeting
Dimension

Actions

Anticipated Results

Academic Advancement

The DOL Grant submission.

Receive all or most of the grant
request.

Mid-term efforts:

Longer-term efforts: Establish
timetable for an Academic Plan.

Increase Fall 2012 enrolment by
setting specific enrolment
(recruitment & retention) targets by
degree program and selectively
adding academic programs in high
demand areas.
A timetable to complete the
Academic Plan by May 1, 2013.

Campus Climate

Commission a committee to
specifically review and submit
recommendations regarding
civility.

Expect a report by mid-Spring 2012.

Civic Engagement

More formal discussions
occurring with Borough
regarding master plan.

A master planning firm will be
selected and draft of a timetable for
action will be developed.

Financial Stewardship

Continue to refine and improve
RCM and financial planning
model.

Improved ability to manage resources
to move from balancing the budget to
investing to thriving.

Institutional Leadership

Establish timetable for the 4
major strategic plans.

Present a timetable for action.
May 1, 2012 completion of the
University Strategic Directions Plan.
May 1, 2013 completion of the other
3 plans.

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Clarion University Presidential 500 Day Plan 2010 – 2012: September 2011 Update

4. Key challenges and issues

Dimension

Description

Academic
Time required developing and seeking approval for new academic
Advancement programs has historically been a barrier. Understaffing at the
University results in extended time to complete responsibilities.

5.

Campus
Climate

Moving quality improvement efforts forward during a time of
financial uncertainty and distress is challenging to the campus
climate. Expect increased distress and conflict.

Civic
Engagement

With the general fiscal distress experienced by government,
private and public sector partnerships may be challenged.

Financial
Stewardship

With an 18% reduction in state funding, coupled with an almost 5%
decline in enrollment, balancing the 2011-2012 budget is
challenging and will result in significant shifts and adjustments in
what we do and how we do it. This year we will do less with less.

Institutional
Leadership

Working in ways to earn the confidence and trust of the university
community in times of distress.

Secondary Results (Other results occurring as an outcome of primary
efforts.)

Primary Result

Secondary Result

Academic Advancement: Increased Accelerated our interest in creating a NW Consortium. A
greater commitment to transforming policies, procedures,
Degree Attainment
practices, programs and services in order to increase student
recruitment, retention leading to increased graduation rates.
Anticipate increased innovation and collaboration in order to
advance academic achievement.
Financial Stewardship

The financial distress created by the extraordinary reduction in
state funding has resulted in a university environment that has
brought the university leadership together in an intensive and
compelling manner. There is a deep understanding of the
need for institutional change and improvement.
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Clarion University Presidential 500 Day Plan 2010 – 2012: September 2011 Update

6. Document Distribution
Name

Organization

Role

Members of the Clarion
University Council of
Trustees

Council of Trustees

University Oversight

Chancellor Cavanaugh

PASSHE

System Leadership

President’s Executive
Council, Deans, Department
Chairs

Clarion University

University Leadership

University Governance

Faculty Senate, Faculty
Union, Staff Unions, Student
Government, Alumni
Association

Engagement and
Communication

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