Merced Community College District
Strategic Planning
Merced College is embarking on a strategic
planning effort that will set the stage of direction for the District for
the next several years. The District is facing some daunting
challenges as we look forward to our 50th anniversary in 2012. We
believe that as we engage in the strategic planning process we can
reprioritize our activities and efforts by reviewing and updating our
vision, mission, goals and objectives. As we develop our Plan we need
to recognize that our time, attention and resources must be used effectively
and efficiently if we are to address the challenges we currently face.
The process we have initiated requires
input. Input from a variety of sources. The students we serve,
the faculty that provide meaningful classroom content, our staff that
support the many activities throughout the District, our Board of Trustees
that provides us oversight, and the constituents we serve, the communities
within and outside our District boundaries. It is only through your
participation that we will develop a strategic plan that enables us to set a
direction, a course of action for the next several years.
Your input to this process is imperative as
the product needs to accurately reflect the challenges and concerns we have
at all levels. It is only with your insight that we will move forward
together with confidence and assurance in our common outcomes.
Strategic Planning at Merced College
The Who, What, When, Why and Where of the Process.
What is “strategic” planning?
Strategic planning is a process of gathering evidence and seeking different
perspectives in order to ascertain where the institution should be headed,
and how it is going to get there. It takes into consideration
economic, geographic and social constructs in which it functions. The
strategic planning process is not static, rather dynamic, iterative and
flexible in order to address changes within and outside the institution.
It is “overarching” and looks to the long range nature of planning. At
the end of the process, it provides the basis for the “Strategic Plan” of
the institution. The document developed sets the shared vision and
mission for the institution, along with a set of clearly stated goals and
key objectives. More detailed operational objectives are based on the
strategic plan. These operational plans provide more detail along with
specific measures or indicators that monitor progress and determine success.
Why does Merced College need a strategic plan?
It has been some years since Merced College developed a strategic plan.
With challenges at hand we need to take stock of where we are now; reassess
our strengths and weaknesses; take stock of how we operate and how we could
change over the next few years; and then determine where we want to be in
the future and how best we could get there. This will allow us to
manage and allocate resources more effectively and to make key decisions
within a clear strategic context.
Why should I get involved in the strategic planning
process at Merced College?
Your input, as a student, faculty or staff member, community member or other
interested party, is vital to insure that we address all the issues and
challenges that are relevant to the Merced Community College District
(MCCD). Without your input we will be unable to develop a plan that is
appropriately representative of the constituencies we serve or reflective of
their needs. It is an opportunity for you to have a voice in the
future direction of the Merced Community College District, and we value your
thoughts, suggestions, and comments.
Who will be involved in the development of the Merced
College strategic plan?
A number of
“charrettes” ( – “open forums”) have been planned (see below) where you
will have an opportunity to provide input. We have structured the
forum opportunities for the various constituency groups.
Who will be listening to my input?
An eleven member Strategic Planning Committee will be formed, representing
seven constituent groups: students, faculty, staff, management, the District
Superintendent/President, Board of Trustees, and community.
Who do I contact if I have questions?
First, please contact your area Vice President or the President via phone or
email. You could leave questions on the Merced College Facebook page,
or make comments and suggestions. The page will be regularly viewed.
Additionally, an FAQ (frequently asked questions) web page will be developed
as the process unfolds.
How will the strategic plan be developed?
The Strategic Planning Committee will be reviewing all materials collected
during the charrettes and will be synthesizing these materials into a
cohesive strategic planning document.
Where will the all this work take place?
A variety of venues have been identified where the charrettes will be taking
place (see schedule below).
When will the process take place?
Please note the invitee’s for each forum. Additionally, you may use
the electronic charrette option.
|
Group
|
Location
|
Date
|
Time
|
|
Los Banos Campus – all constituents
|
LB-A-103
|
10/08/10
|
1-4 PM
|
|
Merced Campus Students
|
Staff Dining Room
|
09/16/10
|
2-4 PM
|
|
MCCD Management Team
|
Staff Dining Room
|
09/16/10
|
9 AM-12 PM
|
|
Merced Campus Classified Staff
|
Staff Dining Room
|
10/13/10,
10/15/10
|
1-4 PM,
9 AM-12 PM
|
|
Merced Campus Faculty
|
Staff Dining Room
|
10/13/10,
10/15/10
|
6-9 PM,
2-5 PM
|
|
Community Members
|
Business Resource Center
630 West 19th Street, Merced
Parking: M and 19th Street
|
10/14/10
|
6-9 PM
|
|
Board of Trustees
|
Board Room
|
10/12/10
|
6:00pm - 8:00pm
|
In addition to the planned forums additional work will be
conducted.
|
Group
|
Location
|
Date
|
Time
|
|
Strategic Planning Committee
|
TBD
|
Early November
|
TBD
|
|
Follow-up and Facebook input from all stakeholders on draft plan
|
TBD and Facebook
|
Tentative Early December
|
TBD
|
|
Draft plan submitted to the Board of Trustees
|
Board Room
|
Tentative Early January
|
TBD
|
|
Adoption of Strategic Plan by Board of Trustees
|
Board Room
|
Tentative Early February
|
TBD
|
Web links to some useful information
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