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Strategic Planning for 2012 Where are we and where do we want to be by 2012? That’s a question we are all being asked as part of UVI’s strategic plan- ning for the next seven years. For the first time at UVI, everyone is invited to help shape the future of our institution by participating in the strategic planning process. Participants include the entire UVI community and our key ex- ternal stakeholders, including ed- ucators, businesses, nonprofit or- ganizations, government agencies and legislators and major donors. Additionally, the community-at- large will have the opportunity to contribute by attending town hall meetings held on each island. Special Assistant to the Presi- dent Deborah C. Fontaine, Ph.D., who is leading UVI’s Strategic Plan 2012, said she is respond- ing to the Board of Trustees’ request for full participation in the planning process with a series of meetings with all stakeholder groups. Other components of the Welcome to the first issue of UVI Strategic Directions. This newsletter is designed to keep you, the University of the Virgin Islands community, in- formed of the progress we are making as a group to move UVI in the right direction over the next seven years. As President, I am excited to be a part of UVI’s future, a future that is full off promise and opportunity. Strategic Plan 2012 will serve as a tactical roadmap, providing focus and direction for everything we do at the University. As I mentioned during Spring Convocation, the process of creating Strategic Plan 2012 will be a col- lective effort, requiring creative thinking from UVI fac- ulty, staff, students, alumni and the Board of Trustees, as well as our key external partners. I am thrilled that everyone will have the opportunity to participate in this important process. I admit that it is a challenging endeavor. As I often say, the institution is like a gym and if we want a high- er state of health, we’re going to need to pump some weight. Training is hard and people have a tendency to want to quit. But I am confident that if we work together, stay focused on our mission, and be open to change, we will succeed in making the University stronger, more competitive, and more responsive to the communities we serve. Let’s get to work. President LaVerne E. Ragster, Ph.D. UVI Strategic Directions | Strategic Plan 2012 Newsletter Strategic Plan 2000-2005 Strategic Plan 2000-2005 was UVI’s second exercise to look at the University in a more comprehensive, focused way. The follow- ing is a summary of some of UVI’s accomplishments over the past five years. • 21% growth in enroll- ment (2000-2003) • Established Commu- nity Engagement and Lifelong Learning unit • Established Research and Technology Park on St. Croix campus • Increased private dona- tions 135% since 2001 • Sold $22 million in bonds for new and renovation construc- tion projects • Received BBB invest- ment grade rating • Created “Specializing in Futures” branding theme • Assessed community perceptions of UVI • Grant and contract awards up 54% since 2001 to $24 million • Increased collaborative teaching projects • Hosted 3,000 students in summer programs since 2000 • Assisted the Depart- ment of Education in meeting federal man- dates, such as “No Child Left Behind” A Look Back President’s Message strategic planning process include an external environmental scan, and a student satisfaction survey of academic and student services. Meetings with UVI staff mem- bers and key external partners were completed in February and March. (See “Focus Groups Explore UVI’s Past and Future,” back page.) Upcoming meetings are with faculty members, stu- dents, alumni and the communi- ty-at-large. Groups are reviewing the University’s mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities and directions, which are all essential to the strategic planning process. “The groups have been won- derful, which reaffirms the pro- cess,” Dr. Fontaine said. “We are asking everyone to be open and “We are asking everyone to be open and honest about where we are and who we are as an institution. What we do well, we need to celebrate. What we don’t do well, we need to fix.” UVI Strategic Directions University of the Virgin Islands | Strategic Plan 2012 Newsletter April 2005 honest about where we are and who we are as an institution. What we do well, we need to celebrate. What we don’t do well, we need to fix.” The UVI community will be asked to review the mission, vision, values, and strategic priorities and directions before they are submit- ted to the President’s Cabinet for approval. Strategic Plan 2012 will be submitted to the Board of Trust- ees this summer. (See “Timeline,” back page.) “I am confident that we can reach a consensus by this sum- mer,” Dr. Fontaine said. “We will present the Board with a blueprint to continue the transformation of the institution. Now is the time to move the University to the next level of excellence.” UVI Strategic Directions is published by the Office of the President, University of the Virgin Islands LaVerne E. Ragster, Ph.D. President Deborah C. Fontaine, Ph.D. Special Assistant to the President Apryl Flynn Gilliss Editor www.uvi.edu 340-693-1000 University of Virgin Island staff and key external partners recent- ly participated in informative and interactive meetings as part of UVI’s strategic planning process. Deborah C. Fontaine, Ph.D., presented the strategic planning process, UVI’s institutional pro- file, and accomplishments from Strategic Plan 2000-2005. Consultant Elyzabeth Hol- ford led staff members through exercises to facilitate discussions on what values are important to UVI. Breakout groups were asked such questions as, “What is UVI’s purpose?”, “What is important to UVI and the community?” and “Where should we focus our en- ergy and resources in the future?” Overall, staff members reacted positively to the meetings. “The strategic planning meet- ing I attended achieved its goals in getting everyone to participate and focus on where the University should be going,” said Jennifer Jackson, Chancellor and Acting Chief Information Officer. “Stra- tegic goals will never be fully real- ized unless all staff members are committed. The appropriate level of participation helps to build such commitment.” Linroy Freeman, Associate Director of the Small Business Development Center, said, “It was interesting how widespread and similar the opinions, frustrations and recommendations were. It appears that most of us have truly Focus Groups Explore UVI’s Past and Future February 2005 • UVI Staff Meetings March 2005 • External Meetings • UVI Faculty Meetings April 2005 • UVI Alumni Meetings • Town Hall Meetings • UVI Student Meetings May 2005 • UVI Community Review Mission, Values, Vision and Strategic Priorities and Directions June 2005 • Present Strategic Plan 2012 to the Board of Trustees July 2005 • Finalize and Publish Strategic Plan 2012 August 2005 • Present Strategic Plan 2012 at UVI’s Fall 2005 Convocation identified with the challenges and opportunities facing UVI. The environment and format of the meeting encouraged interac- tive dialogue and brainstorming. There were lots of positive ideas and suggestions provided that if evaluated and consolidated can offer tremendous gains for UVI in the short and long term.” When asked what she thought of the meeting, Michelle Albany, Upward Bound Assistant Director, said, “It was not what I expected. Instead of an informational ses- sion, which tend to be dry and dull, it was very interactive. We felt like we were contributing in a major way to the decisions that will take place at UVI. Not only did we work together to respond to the needs of the University, but we had fun doing it; it was a pleasure to go beyond the ‘call of duty,’ so to speak.” Meetings with key external partners included interaction with President LaVerne E. Ragster. Ilene Garner, Director of Com- munity Engagement and Lifelong Learning (CELL), presented information on CELL and also co- facilited group discussions with Dr. Fontaine on UVI’s role in the com- munity and future directions. Myron Alleck, St. Croix Renais- sance Group’s Vice President of Operations, said, “I was pleased that UVI took the initiative to invite a broad spectrum of commu- nity groups, including businesses, for input into their strategic plan.” Dilsa Capdeville, Director of Kidscope, Inc., agreed. “I thought it was wonderful that the Univer- sity was interested in listening to the community. There was a lot of excitement and creativity in the meeting and the feedback was very innovative. Dr. Ragster was able to answer the group’s questions. I was pleased that UVI seems inclined to consider the recommendations UVI Strategic Directions | Strategic 2012 Plan Newsletter The Strategic Plan Steering Committee has more than 30 members representing all areas of the University, including faculty, staff and students. Deborah C. Fontaine, Ph.D., is Committee Chair. Since joining UVI two years ago, Dr. Fontain has worked with the University community to realize objectives mandated by Strategic Plan 2000-2005. She has also been involved with a variety of activities, including the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Outcomes Assessment (COA) pro- gram. The COA program has resulted in more than 20 projects that have improved operations and enhanced institutional effectiveness, including online faculty grade reporting and campus ATH machines. Previously, Dr. Fontaine served as Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at Elizabeth City State University, N.C. For more information on the Steering Committee or the strategic planning process, contact Dr. Fontaine at dfontai@uvi.edu or 693-1003. “It appears that most of us have truly identified with the challenges and opportunities facing UVI... There were lots of positive ideas and suggestions provided that if evaluated and consolidated can offer tremendous gains for UVI in the short and long term.” Timeline UVI Strategic Directions | Strategic Plan 2012 Newsletter April 2005 Strategic Plan Steering Committee