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To: The ASU Community

From: David Cox, Chair, on behalf of the Strategic Planning Council

 

An electronic strategic planning survey with open ended questions was available to faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni for a two week period from October 8 to October 22. During that time frame responses were received from 105 faculty, 54 staff, 40 alumni, 19 administrators, 13 community members, 5 students, and 4 Emeritus faculty (total of 240 respondents). (The primary target groups were faculty, staff, and administrators; a different survey is being developed for students.)

 

Here are some highlights from the data (also available as an attachment):

 

Question 1: Core values are the qualities Arkansas State University stands for, what it considers good and important. Please name 2 or 3 core values that you would like to be associated with Arkansas State University. Relatively high frequency counts were associated with the following responses:

 

  • Quality Education/Quality Teaching/Student Centered Learning (131)
  • Service to Community – Local, State, National or all (39)
  • Fairness, Honesty, Candidness, Respect (39)
  • Quality Research (21)
  • Academic Integrity (18)
  • Multiculturalism/Diversity (18)
  • Strong Academic Reputation/High Standards (15)
  • Quality at Reasonable Price/Affordable/Accessible (15)
  • Family Atmosphere/Feeling of Community (12)

 

For a more detailed report, click on Survey Question 1

 

Question 2: What are 2 or 3 distinctive strengths or attribute for which Arkansas State University is known and respected?

 

  • Specific programs (147) – e.g., Communications (30), Education (23), Nursing and Health Professions (23), Fine Arts (15)
  • Faculty (48)
  • Service and community relationships (48)
  • Commitment to students (42)
  • Location (37)
  • Nothing (26)
  • Size (23)
  • Affordability (19)
  • Teaching (17)
  • Undergraduate education (14)
  • Vision (11)
  • Friendliness (11)
  • Students and alumni (10)
  • Athletics (10)

 

For a more detailed report, click on Survey Question 2

 

Question 5: What are 2 or 3 strategic directions (i.e., initiatives or goals) in which you think Arkansas State University should be moving over the next five to six years?

 

  • Enhance/increase research support (24)
  • Enhance sense of community/shared governance (14)
  • Focus on undergraduate/select Masters/Specialist programs (13)
  • Technology in teaching and learning (12)
  • Increase salary and perquisites (12)
  • Tougher standards/selective admissions (11)
  • Enhance recruitment of students (11)
  • Involve students in direction setting/be student focused/care for students (10)
  • Find our unique role/niche in our region (10)

 

For a more detailed report, click on Survey Question 5

 

Question 6: What is the single most important thing that needs to be done for Arkansas State University to rise to the next level in terms of reputation and stature?

 

  • Focus on academic excellence (11)
  • Increase state funding/funding equity (11)
  • Continue to support and improve development of athletic programs (10)
  • Place academics above athletics (8)
  • Increase number of doctoral programs (7)
  • Increase faculty salaries/equity (7)
  • Provide better incentives to attract and retain high quality faculty (7)
  • Promote improvement of faculty scholarship (7)
  • Improve communication from administration (7)

 

For a more detailed report, click on Survey Question 6

 

Question 7: As you envision Arkansas State University in the year 2009, for what would you like it to be widely known and respected?

 

  • Academic excellence (79)
  • Highly qualified graduates (44)
  • Outstanding teaching (30)
  • Outstanding research (in selected areas) (21)
  • Outstanding faculty (16)
  • Student friendly (16)
  • Affordable (14)

 

For a more detailed report, click on Survey Question 7

 

Question 8: Please list any other ideas or issues you would like to share with the Strategic Planning Council.

 

  • Better communication with administration (21)
  • Mutual respect/trust needed (14)
  • Take the strategic plan seriously (14)
  • Academics over athletics (11)

 

For a more detailed report, click on Survey Question 8

 

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