Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning Committee
Minutes/Notes - Wednesday, February 6, 2002
Teague Library

Present: Margaret Hampton, Wes Miller, Sara Penhale, Newell Pledger-Shinn, Rick Foreman, Tamara Clark, Monteze Snyder, Paul Ogren, Tamara Clark, Doug Bennett (by speaker phone), Bob Southard, Kirsten Bohl

Discussion of Draft White Papers
We discussed drafts of several white papers, which we'll continue to revise:
-Community (Newell, Sara, Tamara)
-Fund Raising (Doug, Kirsten)
-Liberal Arts (Doug)
-Assessment (Doug)

SWOT Analysis Matrix
Monteze and Sara shared a summation of data compiled from sessions with various campus constituencies as well as other data sources (Kane & Krukowski, NSSE, and others). The data is organized in terms of Earlham College's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT analysis) as noted by various stakeholders in their consultation with the Strategic Planning Committee. The matrix is further organized according to white paper topic (Admission and Financial Aid, Assessment, Budget, etc.). It is designed to be a resource - we can consult the matrix to see which groups have noted which strengths, weaknesses, etc. in relation to the topics addressed in the white papers.

We agreed the matrix would be a very useful resource in completing the white papers. Does an "x" in a cell mean that one person in a group mentioned something as a strength, weakness, etc., or that several did? Generally it means that more than one person mentioned something - it was a "meaningful" mention in the judgment of those coding the data.

Other Data to Be Compiled
- Paul will enter data from alumni and parent letters/emails into the SWOT matrix.
- Doug has a stack of cards (which group?) yet to be compiled.
- Nancy Sinex is compiling faculty retreat data - from small groups.
- If possible, Nancy will also prepare a narrative summary of all the data we've received.

The minutes of January 30 were approved.

Kirsten said we hoped to arrange a meeting with Philosophy and Religion very soon. This meeting is likely to happen on a Monday at 3:00 or at 4:00.

Next meeting will be Wed., Feb. 13 from 3:00 till 6:00 p.m. in Teague Library. (Doug will participate by conference call.) We'll review drafts of white papers that we haven't yet discussed at all, or have discussed only briefly: Student Life and Curriculum. And we'll review drafts that are nearly ready to post on the website: Facilities, Assessment, Liberal Arts. (It's possible that Retention, Financial Aid, and/or others may also be ready for this kind of "final read." The Retention white paper is pending comparative data on trends at other schools - which Doug is to provide to Bob.)