Faculty and Staff:
Due to several circumstances, the strategic planning exercise that began back in 2020 has stalled. We have recently launched an effort to rekindle this task. It is important that we get a broad range of input into the plan that is formulated. However, it is also important that we expedite our work. To this end, we are implementing a three-pronged approach in parallel.
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Academic units have been charged with completing their unit-level plans as described in the initial charge given to them back in 2020. In discussions with our deans, I am confident that the academic programs will be able to complete their plans by May 16, 2022. It is important to me that you provide input into this process.
Once the academic units have completed their plans, other units on campus will complete strategic plans that are also in progress. These units include Student Affairs, Research, Government Relations, etc.
A committee has been formed to prepare an overall SWOT analysis of the university. This committee will contain representation from the community as well as members of various advisory boards to provide an external perspective on UAH. Their goal is to complete their work by May 16, 2022.
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The University Strategic Planning Committee, which consists of faculty, staff, students and members of the Huntsville community, will meet to review statements on the vision, mission, core values, and value proposition for the university. They will also begin consideration of information provided by committees that were formed to look at various focus areas. These focus area committees have completed their reports, including: (a) Student Success, (b) Research, Scholarship, Creative Work, (c) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, (d) Philanthropic Giving, (e) Community Engagement, and (f) Institutional Effectiveness.
This committee will evaluate and digest this information in preparation for receiving the SWOT analysis from an external perspective and the strategic plans from the various academic units on May 16, 2022.
The University Strategic Planning Committee will receive and analyze this information with the goal of completing a draft strategic plan by August 15, 2022. At that point, the draft strategic plan will be circulated for feedback from the university community at large, and this feedback will be used to refine the plan.
It is important that we complete this effort in a timely manner, but also that we develop a strategic plan that is supported by you, the faculty and staff of UAH. Therefore, I encourage you to engage in the process as appropriate.
Sincerely,
Charles L. Karr
Interim President
