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Academic Plan at California State University, Fresno
I. Introduction and Goals for 2011
It is imperative that the academic mission of the university be central to the next iteration of the strategic planning process. Yet, to date, we have not tackled the chore of putting to paper an Academic Plan and action steps to fulfill the plan. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs proposes a series of steps that will result in a comprehensive Academic Plan and asserts their centrality of the academic mission of California State University, Fresno.
This proposal is based on ongoing discussions with the faculty and administration in Academic Affairs. It tackles the chore of putting to paper what many of us have traditionally assumed our mission is at the university. Formalizing this plan provides a direction for academic affairs and outlines some exciting opportunities that result from having a common vision for the mission.
We can consider the goals of this plan best by considering what California State University, Fresno will look like if they are achieved. Selecting our campus centennial as our goal or target date, by 2011we will have:
- Created a learning-centered environment of active learning by engaged students that provides an integrated approach to learning and development;
- Improved graduation and retention rates, each by 5 to 10 percentage points;
- Worked successfully with K-12 to reduce the need for remedial classes for new students by 20 percentage points;
- Reviewed and strengthened our Master’s Degree programs, established a target or ideal ratio of graduate to undergraduate students in 2005-2006, increased the number of graduate students by at least 10% by 2011, and launched four doctoral programs;
- Significantly increased the number of our students who have had an international experience;
- Established our continuing ability to raise funds for Academic Affairs by means of successfully completing the Comprehensive Campaign;
- Reviewed faculty work and teaching loads, established internal practices for determining their equity, and attempted to lower overall average workload by one WTU;
- Strengthened faculty and staff professional development opportunities in order to increase adoption of effective teaching methods such as active learning, experiential and service learning, collaborative learning, and the effective use of technology in the classroom and curriculum;
- Developed the university’s research infrastructure, focus and capabilities sufficiently to lay the groundwork for meeting the criteria for Carnegie Research Intensive status;
- Strengthened our research and sponsored programs capabilities by raising $150 to $250 million in sponsored projects and increased our indirect cost recovery by 5%;
- Expanded peer reviewed and refereed publications by 5 to 10% in volume by an expanded number and percentage of the faculty, gaining increased recognition for the scholarly productivity and supporting graduate and undergraduate research on our campus;
- Strengthened the collaboration between Academic and Student Affairs to provide an integrated learning environment and ensure that student success is the responsibility of all units on campus;
- Opened the new Madden Library, a community center for academic programs that provides for the intellectual, cultural and research needs of the university and the region;
- Created additional informal gathering spaces on campus for dialog and interaction among students, faculty, and staff;
- Advanced as a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University—Intensive institution with the special designation of Engaged Community Campus and established ourselves as a Premier, Regional Interactive and Engaged University;
- Increased percentage of faculty engaged in our region and gained national recognition as a public institution fully engaged academically and practically in the resolution of community challenges; and
- Once this Academic Plan is developed and endorsed, each School/College, Department, and unit will have implemented the goals, values and principles in support of the Academic Plan.