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Strengths and Weaknesses:
The following notes were submitted by our
planning consultant, David McFarland, as a
result of his meetings with multiple
constituencies on September 14-16, 2009, along
with this comment: "I did not mention an issue
unless it was endorsed by at least two people.
The issues are not mine but given to me
frequently from the many groups I interviewed."
Strengths:
Faculty, students and academic programs
Reputation/image
Integrity of what we do
Buildings and grounds
Technology
Working environment/collegiality
Supportive campus life for students
Accreditations
Strong alumni
Increasing fundraising
Sense of pride
Learning-centered environment
The "Center of Everything"
Class size
Financially a very good value
Weaknesses:
Organizational structure in some areas
such as information technology, academic
divisions, community
development/advancement, graduate program
Resources
Student affordability in a time of
fiscal stress
Racial/ethnic diversity/inclusion – a
focus exists, but challenged to implement
More efficient technology- restructuring
Level of collaboration between units and
between the community - do to some degree,
but could be much more
Very parochial in units, divisions and
as a college
Interdisciplinary Center of Learning–has
much potential but the bureaucracy needs to
be repaired and stimulus added.
No acceptable place to gather informally
for food and conversation
Support for graduate education is
inadequate and not organized; no dean or
unit
A general resistance to change
Need more support for new faculty
including a much more comprehensive
orientation.
Would like more outside benches and
places to sit and talk when the weather is
good
Little social connection outside of
individual departments
Lack of identity
Perceived lack of transparency
No real system for the evaluation of
adjuncts
Morris Hall is underutilized; could be a
gathering place
A number of faculty members believe that
"academics" takes the back seat.
Department chairs not as empowered as
they need to be to be fully effective
Last Updated: September 25, 2009
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