November 2009

Strategically Planning the Obvious

Washburn University's current vision statement is:

"... to be widely recognized for academic excellence, evidenced by student and faculty achievement, leadership development, community commitment, and global understanding."

Although that statement still seems valid, the WU Board of Regents determined that it was time to review the statement and make any necessary changes as part of developing a strategic plan.

Higher Education's Mission

So, while investing hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars, the various subcommittees involved in the strategic planning process continue to prepare white papers that put forth the proposed strategic initiatives for WU. The posted minutes of these subcommittees give some indication of the progress being made in this area. Meeting times, substance of the minutes, and updates on the web site indicate a waning interest in the process.

Rating WU's Performance

The WU administrators are always quick to congratulate themselves on a job well done. However, that doesn't mean there isn't any room for improvements. WU is a long way away from being the best it can be.

Rather than reading their own press releases, the administration and members of the WU Board of Regents should be rolling up their sleeves and working on the numerous problems that have been presented over the years through the annual program review process. There has never been a shortfall of challenges faced by specific programs presented in these reports. The shortfall has been in how the administration responds (or more likely doesn't respond) to the presented challenges.

For those that are not familiar with the reports, the 2009 program review reports are available in PDF format by clicking on the links provided below.

Biology (pdf)

The Biology department cited limited elective offerings to biology majors and lack of funds to maintain and improve their equipment as program weaknesses. The lack of funds issue is directly related to the static funding for other operating expenses that has been in place for over ten years under President Farley.

Chemistry (pdf)

The Chemistry department reported lack of sufficient funds also. Most alarming concern - a high failure rate in general chemistry courses - leading to the low numbers of majors also cited as a program weakness.

Physics & Astronomy(pdf)

This program reported HiPACE difficulties, insufficient full-time faculty, and student recruiting outcomes as program weaknesses. A proposed improvement, improving access to/from HiPACE computers could be instantly resolved by removing administrative roadblocks from this academic initiative. No amount of strategic planning is going to fix the problem on campus of administrators that do not understand, appreciate, or support the academic goals of this institution.

Philosophy (pdf)

The Philosophy report went so far as to admit to adopting less rigorous textbooks to address the problems presented by declining student performance over the past five years. WOW!

Honors (pdf)

The University Honors Program received a "Significant Problems" rating after enrollment decreased 32% in one year alone, from AY05 to AY06. VP Bowen's strategic planning presentation in the Academic Programs subcommittee states that WU should establish a strong Honors program that is well-defined and visible with a scholarship advisor. Do you really need a strategic plan to do that?

KTWU (pdf)

KTWU went so far as to cite Washburn bureaucracy as a primary program weakness. Makes one think that perhaps Washburn U would benefit more from new leadership, rather than an extensive, drawn-out strategic planning process.

Mass Media (pdf)

A historically weak relationship with University admissions was cited as a Mass Media program weakness. The lack of proper and adequate software and hardware updates was also a concern.

Theatre (pdf)

Lack of space and money, including limited scholarship and recruitment resources, were cited by this department that serves as one of the University's "public faces".

Education (pdf)

The potential for growth in the Education program is limited by lack of funds, faculty and resources. Although classes are held in a dated building with ADA inaccessibility and inadequate heating, cooling, restrooms and electrical outlets, watch for the Law School's proposed $45 million new building to take priority over other campus building projects.

English (pdf)

The English department cited the underfunding of Mabee Library as one of their program weaknesses. Hopefully the recent renovations of the Mabee Library circulation desk will help alleviate this concern.

Health, PE, Exercise Science (HPEES) (pdf)

Lack of space, lack of faculty (resulting in an overdependence on adjuncts) were cited as program weaknesses. Although the department recommended continuation of routine teaching of classes in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, the Program Review Committee did not concur with that recommendation. No reason for the disagreement was given.

Student Recreation and Wellness Center (pdf)

Interesting to note that this unit is already citing the size of the facility as a program weakness.

Intercollegiate Athletics (pdf)

Again, financial issues are a program weakness.

Strategic Planning for Fundraising

There has been no lack of information provided to this administration regarding what the various WU programs need to strengthen the academic offerings on campus. Although each area has consistently spent a great deal of time and effort to gather the required information and thoughtful analysis every five years, the typical administrative response to these program review reports has been:

"Program operating at an acceptable level. Continue at the current level of activity and resources."

Year after year, the administration has ignored challenges presented in these reports.

However, now that the University is less than five years away from their 150th anniversary in 2015, a strategic planning process in underway. Most likely, the strategic plan will be utilized as the foundation of a major fundraising drive, rather than as a roadmap for real change to improve the academic environment on campus.

Unfortunately, until the Washburn University Board of Regents addresses President Farley's lack of leadership skills, even the best strategic plan is destined for the proverbial task of collecting dust on the shelf.