Community Comments on Strategic Plan

Emerson College’s new strategic plan moved a little closer to completion during a meeting in the Bordy Theater last Friday, during which faculty and staff shared their insights with the strategic planning committee.

The new strategic plan seeks to define the key initiatives and goals the College might pursue during the next decade to advance its mission. Concluding a process that began last spring, the strategic planning committee hopes to present the Board of Trustees with a final version of the plan in March 2011.

“This has been a thorough, transparent, and rewarding planning process. I have had the good fortune to have been involved in three previous plans here at Emerson, and this time things really have come together in an exciting way.”

–William Gilligan, chair of the strategic planning committee and vice president for information technology

During the summer, subcommittees with faculty, staff, and student representation drafted the plan. The subcommittees included: Academics of the Future, Students of the Future, Faculty of the Future, the Campus of the Future, and Finances of the Future. Two Emerson students were invited to participate on each of the subcommittees, with the exception of the finance committee.

Since September, additional input has been sought from Trustees, Overseers, the Alumni Board, faculty, and staff. Student leaders have also been asked to review and comment on the overall plan.

“This has been a thorough, transparent, and rewarding planning process,” said William Gilligan, chair of the strategic planning committee and vice president for information technology. “I have had the good fortune to have been involved in three previous plans here at Emerson, and this time things really have come together in an exciting way,” he said.

At Friday’s meeting, more than 50 participants had a lively and productive 90-minute conversation regarding directions the College may take during the coming decade. Emerson community members may still submit written suggestions to Vice President Gilligan.

The conversation was wide ranging. Issues discussed included foreign language requirements, faculty appointments related to the Institute for Liberal Arts, tenure requirements, grade inflation, facilities and space requirements, and how best to prepare students for the future.

Other members of the strategic planning committee who attended the meeting were Iwasaki Library Executive Director Robert Fleming, President Liebergott, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Robert Ashton, Dean of the School of Communication Janis Andersen, and Associate Professor Eric Gordon.