The Ad Hoc Strategic Planning Committee of The University of Toledo Board of Trustees forwarded to the full board for its consideration a recalibrated strategic plan titled Directions 2011 and designed to provide guidance for UT during the next five years.
During the Jan. 10 meeting, committee members said they were pleased with the plan, which will be distributed to trustees and various constituency groups prior to the board’s Jan. 24 meeting. A discussion among all board members will be on the meeting’s agenda.
“This document gives us clear direction for the next five or six years, even as the environment around us may change,” said Carroll Ashley, vice chair of the board.
Trustee William Koester offered his compliments to co-chairs Dr. Jamie Barlowe and Chuck Lehnert, who coordinated the strategic planning development process, and added his thanks to all those throughout the University and the community who contributed.
Several trustees, including committee chair Richard McQuade, praised the specific, measurable metrics embedded in the plan.
“I think this is a very strong piece of work and will serve the University well,” he said.
Like its predecessor, Directions 2007, Directions 2011 identifies six goals, each with four to nine metrics to qualify what success will look like.
For example, Goal 1, which focuses on undergraduate academic programs, calls for UT to be “regionally distinguished and highly ranked nationally” and to “provide exceptional student centeredness and a learner-driven focus, which combine for a personally satisfying, professionally relevant and affordable education.”
Metrics for Goal 1 include an 80 percent first- to second-year retention rate, a 65 percent four-year graduation rate, and a commitment that the total out-of-pocket cost of a UT education will not exceed the average across the Ohio System of Universities.
The remaining goals look at:
• Goal 2 — Graduate and professional academic programs;
• Goal 3 — Research and technology transfer;
• Goal 4 — Learning environment;
• Goal 5 — Health-care access and delivery; and
• Goal 6 — Outreach and global engagement.
The final draft of Directions 2011 is available at www.utoledo.edu/strategicplan.
UT President Lloyd Jacobs noted at the committee meeting that there could be small wording changes prior to the Jan. 24 board meeting and trustees might have changes stemming from discussions at the meeting.
