Goals and Objectives 2007-2008

9 August 2007

S. M. Stearns, Commissioner of Higher Education

FROM: G. M. Dennison, President

SUBJECT: Goals and Objectives for 2007-2008

As in prior years, I herewith submit my goals and objectives for FY 2008. I use “goal” in reference to a long-term aspiration requiring continuous effort over extended periods and “objective” to the short-term, tactical activity undertaken in pursuit of a goal. Assessment of performance in pursuit of goals and objectives offers insights concerning attentiveness to assigned responsibilities and the mission of the University.

GOAL I:

With the counsel and advice of all groups on the campuses through appropriate agencies of University governance, guide The University of Montana to maintain campus communities attractive to qualified persons and appropriate to campus missions.

OBJECTIVES:

  • Promote an open atmosphere on the campuses characterized by the free interchange of ideas and respect for the rights of all, thereby encouraging participation in governance.
  • Maintain consultative planning, programming, and budgeting processes for all four campuses.
  • Maintain contact with the campuses by visiting each of them at least once per semester.
  • Recruit and retain an administrative team dedicated to responsible and participatory governance respectful of the diverse perspectives and interests of the University community, established governance processes, and administrative responsibilities, and assist and empower the members of the administrative team to fulfill their roles and responsibilities.
  • Recruit and retain a diverse group of outstanding faculty and staff members as role models who serve the needs of the students attracted to the campuses, and empower the faculty and staff, through professional development programs and essential infrastructure, facilities, and equipment, to fulfill their roles and responsibilities. Assure successful completion of the PACE Project during FY 2008.
  • Implement the University’s diversity plan to assure the inclusion of female, minority, and international faculty, staff, and students, with particular attention to the historic role and presence of Native Americans in Montana.
  • Pursue aggressively the availability of opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to participate in international development projects, programs, and exchanges.
  • Assure annual evaluations of all Executive Officers, Deans, Chairs, Directors, and supervisors.
  • Monitor the campus environments to identify areas needing further improvement to facilitate the learning, creativity, and development of students, staff, and faculty.
  • Review and revise as necessary University and campus policies, procedures, and facilities for the maintenance of safe, supportive, and family-friendly environments on the several campuses.
  • Conclude the campus dialogue about the proposed Code of Ethics for The University of Montana-Missoula.

GOAL II:

Implement and revise as necessary the Strategic Directions for The University of Montana to operationalize the concept of “a single University with a presence in several communities.”

OBJECTIVES:

  • In conjunction with the Executive Committee of The University of Montana, monitor the necessary revision and implementation of the Strategic Directions for The University of Montana with advice of the functional councils in Fall 2007.
  • Assure annual review of campus mission and vision statements for continued relevance and responsiveness.
  • Assure annual review and any needed revision of campus strategic plans aligned with the strategic plan of the Montana University System, Strategic Directions for The University of Montana, and approved mission statements.
  • Complete the South Campus Master Plan and secure approval by the Regents.
  • Engage the University Executive Committee in discussions to assure the implementation of the Regents’ Strategic Plan.

GOAL III:

Sustain responsive instructional programs of high quality and encourage and promote faculty research and creative activities in pursuit of the University’s mission in instruction, research, and service to the people and communities of Montana.

OBJECTIVES:

  • Monitor ongoing program review to assure the most responsive and appropriate offering of programs by campus in accordance with the mission while allowing the programmatic autonomy essential to campus vitality, and report the progress of the reviews.
  • Monitor ongoing review for continuance or disestablishment of all centers, institutes, and bureaus based on continued functionality, responsiveness, and support, and report the progress of the reviews.
  • Enhance the diversity, availability, attractiveness, and responsiveness of two-year education in Western Montana, and seek approval by the Regents of the Hamilton Higher Education Center in May 2008.
  • Support the ongoing survey of State needs and develop academic programs in response to identified needs, especially workforce development programs through the College of Technology.
  • Continue the enhancement of the 2+2 Engineering Program (with students going to Butte or Bozeman for advanced work).
  • Continue the effort to develop a Nursing Completer Program focused on Missoula and Helena , but also with attention to rural communities.
  • Implement the bachelor’s and master’s programs in Speech Pathology, admitting the initial groups of master’s students in Fall 2008.
  • Complete the development of the doctoral programs in Limnology and Resource Engineering ( Missoula and Butte campuses).
  • Monitor the successful integration of distance education into the regular budgeting processes of the University.
  • Continue collaborative student recruitment for all campuses.
  • Initiate the process of increasing graduate enrollments and decreasing resident undergraduate enrollments on the Missoula campus.
  • Monitor the policies and procedures for transfer of credits on all campuses, and participate in the implementation of the transferability initiative involving faculty meetings to discuss course equivalencies and the development of a student-tracking database.
  • Assure a successful institution accreditation visit in Spring 2008 by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and resolve the issues concerning the accreditation of Nursing for the Missoula and Helena campuses.
  • Continue the implementation of the outcomes assessment programs on all campuses and participate as an early adapter in the NASULGC-ACE Voluntary System of Assessment.
  • Develop and propose to the Regents revised admission standards for the Missoula campus to redirect resident undergraduate to other campuses.
  • Enhance the retention and graduation rates on the Missoula campus during FY 2008.
  • Encourage the continued competitiveness of faculty in research and creative activities to attract at minimum an increase of ten percent in external funds above the level achieved in FY 2007.
  • Continue to collaborate actively in the Regents’ economic development efforts, with specific attention to the WIRED Grant in Montana east of the mountains.
  • Continue the discussions with representatives of the natural resource industries and key legislators to identify ways The University of Montana can assist them and the State of Montana in economic development.

GOAL IV:

Develop the resource base of the University through a strategy to enhance public awareness of and support for higher education, to influence the legislative process, and to attract private support for the University.

OBJECTIVES:

  • Assist in the identification of responsive and workable funding strategies – including differential tuition, incentive funding, and targeted financial assistance – keyed to performance indicators for public higher education in Montana , with specific attention to 1) enhanced graduate enrollments and degrees awarded by the Missoula and Bozeman campuses, and 2) enhanced resident undergraduate enrollments on all other campuses.
  • Contribute to the dialogue about the role of higher education in the social and economic development of the State.
  • Continue to find ways to increase State-funded student financial assistance, especially but not exclusively for students with demonstrated need.
  • Monitor closely the results of approved tuition discounting.
  • Complete by 31 December 2007 the comprehensive campaign with The University of Montana Foundation to raise at least $100,000,000 to support The University of Montana, and initiate focused efforts to achieve unmet objectives.
  • Continue the marketing program for the Missoula campus.
  • Continue the efforts to develop alternative revenue sources, including the China Campus initiative.

GOAL V:

Assure full accountability for the use of resources and the implementation of applicable rules, regulations, and policies.

OBJECTIVES:

  • Monitor the effectiveness of the management approach that distributes authority and responsibility to those who provide direct service to clients, with particular attention to the concept that functions are central, services local.
  • Implement the “best practices” approach to check writing on the Missoula campus and achieve significant savings.
  • Maintain an efficient and responsive internal audit function to assure compliance with Regents’ policies and State law.
  • Implement the University budget for 2007-2008 approved by the Board of Regents and develop responsive reporting mechanisms.
  • Continue to assess and revise University policies and procedures to assure maximum efficiency and full compliance with all applicable rules, regulations, statutes, and audit findings during FY 2008.
  • Assure adequate contingency funds to deal with unforeseen contingencies that may arise on any of the campuses of The University of Montana.
  • Prevent budget deficits on any of the campuses of The University of Montana in FY 2008.
  • Stand accountable for the stewardship of all University resources.

GOAL VI:

Communicate the goals, objectives, accomplishments, and contributions of the Montana University System and The University of Montana to the people of Montana and the nation and serve as a spokesperson and representative for higher education and for the University.

OBJECTIVES:

  • Participate actively in the public dialogue about the structure, role, and potential of higher education in Montana stressing the sector roles of the various campuses.
  • Articulate how the University System meets the needs of the people of Montana , and emphasize collaboration among all campuses of the System.
  • Contribute actively in the ongoing effort to assure that public higher education focuses on the development of Montana ’s human resources.
  • Engage the business community and the campus Foundations in the development of a matching program with the State for endowments to support faculty positions.
  • Articulate widely the benefits received from Foundations that serve the campuses of The University of Montana and explain the use of donated funds.

CONCLUSION:

I anticipate that the annual evaluation will focus upon these goals and objectives. Please let me know if you or any of the Regents have questions or comments.

Thank you for your assistance.

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