ESU president reviews accomplishments, outlines strategic planning process

University receives Patriot Award from Department of Defense

A five-pronged strategic plan for Emporia State University will be the focus of meetings taking place throughout the coming year, said the university’s president, Dr. Michael R. Lane. Speaking to ESU faculty and staff at the Fall General Assembly Tuesday, Aug. 19, Lane noted that the plan is the culmination of an effort that began in June, 2007.

“Dozens of meetings and hundreds – if not thousands – of work hours later, I bring you a working draft of the strategic themes and goals of our five-year plan,” Lane told the audience.

The five strategic planning themes are:

• Enhancing academic excellence
• Increasing opportunities for partnerships
• Expanding international learning opportunities
• Improving communication among stakeholders
• Providing an attractive, welcoming and sustainable environment for students, employees and visitors

In outlining the five themes, Lane said ESU will offer many opportunities for input and feedback as the strategic plan is refined. Several open forums will be scheduled this fall, at which campus and community residents will be invited to comment on the university’s strategic planning process.

Lane also outlined several steps that have been taken to improve safety on campus. Among those is development of the Consultation, Assessment, Resource and Education (CARE) Team, which is expected to be operational in December to help respond to potential emergency situations. A text-message system known as Rave Alert is also being tested this fall to deliver emergency messages by mobile phone and email.

Prior to the General Assembly, Lane accepted on behalf of ESU a Department of Defense Patriot Award. The award comes from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, and recognizes ESU for its support in helping students and staff make the transition between their campus responsibilities and active military duty.

Since the fall of 2002, 39 ESU students have withdrawn from classes because they were called to active duty. Two students, with the cooperation of their instructors, have completed their semester courses while they were on active duty.

“At Emporia State University, the very least we can do for these heroes, whether they be employees or students, is to make their transition back to ESU as seamless as possible,” Lane noted in accepting the award on behalf of the university.

Emporia State University’s fall semester classes began Wednesday, Aug. 20.

Last Updated August 20, 2008>