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President’s plan enters next phase
President Karen Whitney accepts input for her 500-day administrative plan from numerous sources at her office in Carrier Hall. Caitlin McGill / The Clarion Call
Clarion, Pa. – President Karen Whitney’s 90-day “Hitting the Ground Listening” phase of administration has taken a new turn.
This week Whitney’s online suggestion submission ends, and the analysis phase begins. Whitney estimates 2,000 people have contributed input since mid July.
“The conversations have been very rich and interesting,” Whitney said, “and I think there are some themes developing.”
Whitney uses three standards to categorize the feedback.
Academic concerns include improving recruitment and retention of students, introducing new academic programs and enhancing the Clarion University experience.
Fiscal matters focus on the university’s reaction to Pennsylvania’s decline in funding of public higher education.
If funded at the 2001 level, Pennsylvania would allocate $704 million toward higher education.
This school year, the state allocated $444.5 million, according to a study by the Pennsylvania Association State System of Higher Education.
Within that 10-year time frame, enrollment has risen 21 percent, or about 25,000 students.
The average cost of tuition per student has risen almost $1800.
Whitney said Clarion is very considerate of the cost of tuition for students.
“That has created a stressful environment at Clarion,” Whitney said.
Maintaining CU’s mission of excellence is a standard the highest priority. Whitney said this must be achieved by balancing academic excellence with fiscal responsibility.
Analysis of the surveys and suggestions Whitney has received will be instrumental in creating her 500-day plan.
“I want to keep moving the university forward,” Whitney said, “and if there are things to change, we will try to do that.”
After drafting her 500 day plan, Whitney will be soliciting input from the university and the community.
When this second period of feedback ends, Whitney will present her revised plan to the University Trustees.
“There is way more to be done at a university than one person can do,” Whitney said.
“That’s why I invite people’s thoughts as to how I can best serve Clarion.”
Whitney said she hopes to establish a cycle of efficient planning, action and reflection. This way, the university can accomplish goals and learn from the process, thereby
improving efficiency.
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