4 June 2003

TO: C. Krause, Interim Commissioner of Higher Education
The University of Montana Community

FROM: G. M. Dennison, President

SUBJECT: Goals and Objectives for 2003-2004

As in prior years, I submit my goals and objectives for FY 2004, with "goal" referring 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. Predictably, goals persist over time, while objectives vary as conditions change. Assessment of performance in pursuit of goals and objectives offers insights concerning attentiveness to assigned responsibilities and the mission of the University.

GOAL I:

Guide The University of Montana, with the counsel and advice of all groups on the campuses through appropriate agencies of University governance, 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.
• 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 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 and serve the needs of the students attracted to the campuses, and empower the faculty and staff, through professional development programs and the provision of essential infrastructure, facilities, and equipment, 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.
• 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.
• Continue the successful implementation of the Montana Achievement Project.
• Monitor the campus environments to identify areas needing further improvement to facilitate the learning, creativity, and development of students, staff, and faculty.

Specific Activities:

• Review and evaluate the performance of all members of the administration and staff to assure accountability and provide assistance to those evaluated.
• Monitor the operations of the planning, programming, and budgeting processes of the University to assure inclusiveness, responsiveness, and effectiveness.
• Continue on all campuses to improve the facilities, including the renovation of classrooms and laboratories and upgrading the information technology infrastructure.
• Visit the other three campuses at least once each term for meetings with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and community members.
• Monitor closely the planned implementation of the XI Experience by The University of Montana-Western.
• Meet during the Academic Year with the faculties of the various Departments and Schools on the Missoula campus as individual groups in their facilities with an open agenda to discuss issues of interest and concern.
• Meet during the summer with the staff of the non-academic entities on the Missoula campus as individual groups in their facilities to discuss issues of interest and concern.
• Participate actively in the governance councils of faculty, staff, and students on the Missoula campus and for the multi-campus University.

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.
• Assure the continued involvement of all groups in any needed revision of the Strategic Directions.
• Continue to develop and update the suite of integrated information systems for The University of Montana, with specific emphasis on the integration of “Web for” technology and refinement of report generators.
• 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.
• Assist with the continued development of the Montana University System data warehouse to serve the needs of the System and the campuses.
• Complete the facilities master plans - including information technology infrastructure - for all campuses of The University of Montana.

Specific Activities:

• Charge the functional councils to pursue best practices for the implementation of the concept of “one University with a presence in several communities.”
• Identify ways to enhance efficiency and reduce redundancy through administrative restructuring and cooperation while also respecting the uniqueness of each campus.
• Continue the development of “Web for,” portal, and report generator technology appropriate to the SCT BANNER suite of integrated systems.
• Continue to enhance library resource sharing.
• Enhance the data warehousing technology that serves the Montana University System.
• Develop specific facility plans for the College of Technology in Missoula, The University of Montana-Helena College of Technology, and the School of Journalism.
• Continue to implement best practices and reinvest savings in programs serving students and other clients.
• Identify and implement incentives for academic collaboration.

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. 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 mission while allowing the programmatic autonomy essential to campus vitality.
• Monitor ongoing review for continuance or disestablishment of all centers, institutes, and bureaus based on continued functionality, responsiveness, and support.
• Develop and secure approval of at least four new academic programs in response to needs, with specific attention to technical training, nursing, healthcare, and engineering.
• Enhance the diversity, availability, attractiveness, and responsiveness of two-year education in Western Montana.
• Develop a plan for collaboration with the Missoula public schools in vocational and technical education using common facilities.
• Implement collaborative student recruitment for all campuses.
• Monitor the Sustainable Futures Grant Program serving the University’s three smaller campuses and the Missoula College of Technology: $500,000 in FY 2004 and $500,000 in FY 2005, based upon review of progress during FY 2004.
• Begin delivery of at least two more off-campus programs in communities with identified needs.
• Assure the continued accreditation of all programs subject to accreditation.
• Continue the implementation of the outcomes assessment programs on all campuses.
• Review admission standards by campus and continue the implementation of enhanced standards for the Missoula campus.
• 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 2003.
• Develop one new research institute in collaboration with St. Patrick Hospital or another partner.
• Develop a new research group in materials science involving faculty members from the Butte and Missoula campuses.
• Continue and improve outreach programs and technology transfer and initiate the development of three new MonTEC facilities in Hamilton, Pablo, and Kalispell.
• Collaborate with Montana State University, State government agencies, policy leaders, Regents, and representatives of the business community to develop a working and reliable econometric model for the Montana economy.

Specific Activities:

The specific activities are clearly indicated by the objectives themselves.

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:

• With the assistance of the alumni associations of the campuses of the Montana University System, meet with groups throughout the State and continue the dialogue about the desired structure and role of higher education for the social and economic development of the State.
• Initiate a special conference in Missoula or other appropriate location to identify new approaches to funding public higher education.
• Collaborate closely with the Economic Development Action Group and assist with the implementation of Leadership Montana to help to prepare leaders for tomorrow.
• Participate actively in a public dialogue about the critical importance of State-funded student financial assistance in the wake of significant tuition increases.
• Collaborate to integrate differential tuition into the funding model used by the Montana University System by 2005.
• Monitor closely the results of approved tuition discounting.
• Work closely with The University of Montana Foundation to secure private support for the Missoula and Helena campuses; assist the other two campuses in similar efforts, as appropriate.
• Continue to identify ways for auxiliaries to contribute to the ongoing operational support of the University campuses.
• Implement a comprehensive marketing program for the multi-campus University.

Specific Activities:

All specific activities are clearly indicated by the identified objectives.

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.
• Maintain an efficient and responsive internal audit function to assure compliance with Regents’ policies and State law.
• Implement the University budget for 2003-2004 approved by the Board of Regents and develop responsive reporting mechanisms, especially concerning the one percent tuition increase for quality.
• 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.
• Assure adequate contingency funds to deal with unforeseen contingencies that may arise on any of the campuses of The University of Montana.
• Implement approved plans to eliminate and prevent budget deficits on any of the campuses of The University of Montana.
• Stand accountable for the stewardship of all University resources.

Specific Activities:

The identified objectives indicate the specific activities.

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 and the nation.
• Bring the resources of the University to bear in the effort to revitalize and restructure the Montana economy.
• Explain to faculty, staff, students, parents, and external constituencies the meaning and significance of the concepts of “a single University with a presence in several communities,” and “functions are central, services local.”
• Articulate how the restructured University System functions as a System and meets the needs of the people of Montana.
• Develop and articulate widely the benefits received from foundations that serve the campuses of The University of Montana and explain the use of donated funds.

Specific Activities:

The identified objectives indicate the specific activities.

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.

c: Chancellors
Executive Officers

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