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University sees success in achieving strategic plan goals

5/4/12

Improving student labs and learning centers at University Park, and developing baccalaureate programs that meet regional demand at other campuses are just some of the measures Penn State has taken during year three of the University's strategic plan, the Board of Trustees learned Friday (May 4). The program changes are focused on increasing the number of applicants selecting a Commonwealth Campus as their first choice, Rob Pangborn, interim executive vice president and provost, told the board. Pangborn said much of what was done this past year for the strategic plan took place through the Academic Program and Administrative Services Review Core Council.

Strategic plan implementation, Core Council process showing results

3/15/12

When Penn State President Rodney Erickson addressed the state Senate Appropriations Committee on March 1, he made a point of explaining the land-grant mission that has been part of Penn State since the passing of the Morrill Act in 1863. It's a message he also delivered last fall to faculty and staff gathered to hear an update on the progress of the University's strategic plan and Core Council process. Erickson, then Penn State's executive vice president and provost, told that group, "I think we're in for tough sledding, because the public in general doesn't have a clue about what it means to be a land-grant university. There's just no sense that this really is something that's that important ... and so they would rather support other areas" with their tax dollars.

Erickson said then that a key to changing this is taking a fresh look at the land-grant concept. "Over the years we ended up doing many things that were not necessarily part of our core mission, or they were not directly related back to the strong research that was taking place here. What we do in Extension needs to be connected back here to the University. That's the way we demonstrate our value, not just as a land-grant university, but also as a much more engaged institution."

That sort of re-focusing has been taking place University-wide as implementation of both the strategic plan and the Core Council recommendations continue.

Untitled

Strategic plan's outreach goal encourages public sustainability

10/4/11

Penn State's University Sustainability Council is drafting the University's first strategic plan for sustainability. The council is seeking public input for the five-goal plan during the drafting process. The fifth and final goal of Penn State's Strategic Plan for Sustainability aims to help people throughout Pennsylvania and the world to develop and embrace more sustainable environmental, economic and social systems. "Serving the Commonwealth and engaging with its citizens is fundamental to Penn State's land-grant mission. Our many partnerships with communities in Pennsylvania -- and beyond -- put us in an extraordinary position to help develop innovative solutions to sustainability challenges," said Susannah Barsom, associate director of the Center for Sustainability.

Untitled

Strategic plan's fourth goal supports sustainability research

9/27/11

Penn State's University Sustainability Council is drafting the University's first strategic plan for sustainability. The council is seeking public input for the five-goal plan during the drafting process. The fourth goal of the plan seeks to integrate sustainability into Penn State's research programs. "The creation of new knowledge and its widespread application are critical elements in addressing this important challenge. We are fortunate at Penn State to have all of the ingredients necessary to make remarkable contributions: disciplinary excellence, a culture of collaboration, extensive outreach tools and a model of integrated research and teaching," explained Denice Wardrop, co-chair of the Sustainability Council and assistant director of the Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment. "The challenge is to synergize them and focus a portion of that collective power on sustainability."

Untitled

Strategic plan's third goal bolsters sustainable behaviors, facilities

9/20/11

Penn State's University Sustainability Council is drafting the University's first strategic plan for sustainability. The council is seeking public input for five-goal plan during the drafting process. The third goal seeks to support and recognize efforts to make individual behaviors and facilities more resource efficient as well as celebrate the broader impact of Penn State through alumni and partners. "Goal 3 calls on us to 'walk the talk,' " explained Erik Foley, director of the Penn State Campus Sustainability Office, and member of the council. "Opportunities are everywhere to improve operational effectiveness, promote wellness and control costs through smart sustainability practices in our offices, labs, classrooms, residence halls and dining areas. And because Penn State thrives beyond our walls, especially through our alumni, Goal 3 also asks how we can further engage and recognize their sustainability leadership."

Untitled

Sustainability strategic plan town hall meetings scheduled at campuses

9/12/11

The University Sustainability Council is drafting Penn State's first Strategic Plan for Sustainability and is seeking public input during the drafting process. Several town hall meetings have been scheduled across the University this semester. Erik Foley, director of the Penn State Campus Sustainability Office, and Susannah Barsom, associate director of the Penn State Center for Sustainability, will visit each campus to share the plan in its current form and to listen to input from the campus and the public.

Untitled

Strategic plan's academic goal teaches sustainability to students

9/12/11

Penn State's University Sustainability Council is drafting the University's first strategic plan for sustainability. The council is seeking public input for five-goal plan during the drafting process. The second goal of Penn State's Strategic Plan for Sustainability aims to educate students about sustainability. "Students are requesting more sustainability instruction, aware that employers are seeking to hire graduates who are knowledgeable about sustainability," said Rob Pangborn, vice president and dean for Undergraduate Education. "Penn State can play a unique role in addressing one of our society's most pressing issues by bringing faculty expertise and emerging research to the classroom, to produce graduates who also can lead in this effort."

Untitled

Strategic plan's first goal aims to integrate sustainability efforts

9/6/11

Penn State's University Sustainability Council is drafting the University's first strategic plan for sustainability and is seeking public input during the drafting process. The first goal of Penn State's Strategic Plan for Sustainability aims to embed sustainability as a core principle and fundamental part of the Penn State experience.

Untitled

Sustainability strategic plan in progress, council seeks public input

8/29/11

Penn State's University Sustainability Council is drafting the University's first strategic plan for sustainability and is seeking public input during the drafting process. "The Strategic Plan for Sustainability will provide the roadmap for ensuring that the Priorities for Excellence goal of increasing the number of academic offerings that incorporate sustainability into the curriculum is met and that sustainability is researched, taught, promoted and practiced," said Rod Erickson, Penn State executive vice president and provost. "It will follow the University's strategic planning framework, and specific strategies and metrics will be developed concurrently at the college, campus and unit levels. Its development will involve students, faculty, staff, leadership, alumni, supporters and corporate partners."

Core Council committee finds millions of dollars in cost-savings

8/28/11

When Penn State's tuition rates were approved by the Board of Trustees in July, the increase was much lower than expected, given the 19 percent cut to the University's state appropriation. Part of the reason the University was able to keep tuition down was the work done by the Core Council, chaired by Executive Vice President and Provost Rod Erickson, and the Academic and Administrative Services Review Coordinating Committee, led by Al Horvath, senior vice president for Finance and Business. Mainly through changes in big-ticket items, including employee benefits and energy savings, the committee identified $10 million in permanent cost-savings for the University - and it's not done yet.

Untitled

Penn State drafting strategic plan for sustainability, seeks ideas

7/25/11

In response to the multiple ecological, economic and social crises affecting the world today, Penn State is drafting its first strategic plan for sustainability. The development of a sustainability plan will involve students, faculty, staff, leadership, alumni, supporters and corporate partners. The council writing the plan wants to hear the public's ideas now to help make it the best possible plan.

Untitled

Board hears about strategic plan and continuing progress

5/13/11

Over the last two decades, Penn State has reallocated $203 million to strategically important academic areas and received approval from the Board of Trustees for the restructuring, elimination or merger of more than a hundred programs and numerous departments. These were just a few of the results Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost Rod Erickson reported to the Board of Trustees Friday (May 13) as he gave an informational report on the progress made in the implementation of "Priorities for Excellence: The Penn State Strategic Plan 2009-10 through 2013-14." Erickson reported that Penn State's enrollment has grown, even as the University has been focused on efficiencies and cost savings. Between fall 2001 and fall 2010, undergraduate and graduate enrollment at University Park, the 19 Commonwealth Campuses and online enrollment in the World Campus has increased by more than 14,000 students.

Untitled

As colleges move through Core Council process, new ideas emerge

2/24/11

A little over a year ago, a University committee started a process of reviewing academic programs, college-by-college, in response to a strategy in goal #2 of the University strategic plan calling for a consolidation of academic programs through targeted reviews. The committee was charged with identifying new ways to maintain academic excellence, while helping Penn State become a more efficient and effective institution. "The process has been fair, relevant and comprehensive," said Smeal College of Business Dean James Thomas. "There's been strategic relevance in the recommendations. Cutting for the sake of cutting isn't good. There needs to be rhyme and reason for the strategic goals of a college in addition to relevance for the University, and that's what we're seeing in this process."

Program changes necessary to capture savings and opportunities

1/26/11

Pennsylvania, like other states across the nation, is struggling with a budget shortfall in the billions. For universities such as Penn State that rely on state support, the picture for the coming year is challenging, to say the least. Penn State officials have been planning for broad changes to help compensate for years of stagnant state support, while still allowing the University to seize new opportunities.

Over the last several weeks, recommendations for some program consolidations and closures have been announced as college deans, chancellors and other budget executives prepare their units for change.

"Closing and consolidating programs is never an easy thing to do, but a decade and more of state appropriation cuts has inevitable consequences," said Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost Rod Erickson. "We can no longer afford to be all things to all people in the Commonwealth." However, Erickson stressed that this process is proceeding in a way that will make the University stronger in support of those programs and functions that will continue.

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University sees success in achieving strategic plan goals

5/4/12

Improving student labs and learning centers at University Park, and developing baccalaureate programs that meet regional demand at other campuses are just some of the measures Penn State has taken during year three of the University's strategic plan, the Board of Trustees learned Friday (May 4). The program changes are focused on increasing the number of applicants selecting a Commonwealth Campus as their first choice, Rob Pangborn, interim executive vice president and provost, told the board. Pangborn said much of what was done this past year for the strategic plan took place through the Academic Program and Administrative Services Review Core Council.

Strategic plan implementation, Core Council process showing results

3/15/12

When Penn State President Rodney Erickson addressed the state Senate Appropriations Committee on March 1, he made a point of explaining the land-grant mission that has been part of Penn State since the passing of the Morrill Act in 1863. It's a message he also delivered last fall to faculty and staff gathered to hear an update on the progress of the University's strategic plan and Core Council process. Erickson, then Penn State's executive vice president and provost, told that group, "I think we're in for tough sledding, because the public in general doesn't have a clue about what it means to be a land-grant university. There's just no sense that this really is something that's that important ... and so they would rather support other areas" with their tax dollars.

Erickson said then that a key to changing this is taking a fresh look at the land-grant concept. "Over the years we ended up doing many things that were not necessarily part of our core mission, or they were not directly related back to the strong research that was taking place here. What we do in Extension needs to be connected back here to the University. That's the way we demonstrate our value, not just as a land-grant university, but also as a much more engaged institution."

That sort of re-focusing has been taking place University-wide as implementation of both the strategic plan and the Core Council recommendations continue.

Untitled

Strategic plan's outreach goal encourages public sustainability

10/4/11

Penn State's University Sustainability Council is drafting the University's first strategic plan for sustainability. The council is seeking public input for the five-goal plan during the drafting process. The fifth and final goal of Penn State's Strategic Plan for Sustainability aims to help people throughout Pennsylvania and the world to develop and embrace more sustainable environmental, economic and social systems. "Serving the Commonwealth and engaging with its citizens is fundamental to Penn State's land-grant mission. Our many partnerships with communities in Pennsylvania -- and beyond -- put us in an extraordinary position to help develop innovative solutions to sustainability challenges," said Susannah Barsom, associate director of the Center for Sustainability.

Untitled

Strategic plan's fourth goal supports sustainability research

9/27/11

Penn State's University Sustainability Council is drafting the University's first strategic plan for sustainability. The council is seeking public input for the five-goal plan during the drafting process. The fourth goal of the plan seeks to integrate sustainability into Penn State's research programs. "The creation of new knowledge and its widespread application are critical elements in addressing this important challenge. We are fortunate at Penn State to have all of the ingredients necessary to make remarkable contributions: disciplinary excellence, a culture of collaboration, extensive outreach tools and a model of integrated research and teaching," explained Denice Wardrop, co-chair of the Sustainability Council and assistant director of the Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment. "The challenge is to synergize them and focus a portion of that collective power on sustainability."

Untitled

Strategic plan's third goal bolsters sustainable behaviors, facilities

9/20/11

Penn State's University Sustainability Council is drafting the University's first strategic plan for sustainability. The council is seeking public input for five-goal plan during the drafting process. The third goal seeks to support and recognize efforts to make individual behaviors and facilities more resource efficient as well as celebrate the broader impact of Penn State through alumni and partners. "Goal 3 calls on us to 'walk the talk,' " explained Erik Foley, director of the Penn State Campus Sustainability Office, and member of the council. "Opportunities are everywhere to improve operational effectiveness, promote wellness and control costs through smart sustainability practices in our offices, labs, classrooms, residence halls and dining areas. And because Penn State thrives beyond our walls, especially through our alumni, Goal 3 also asks how we can further engage and recognize their sustainability leadership."

Untitled

Sustainability strategic plan town hall meetings scheduled at campuses

9/12/11

The University Sustainability Council is drafting Penn State's first Strategic Plan for Sustainability and is seeking public input during the drafting process. Several town hall meetings have been scheduled across the University this semester. Erik Foley, director of the Penn State Campus Sustainability Office, and Susannah Barsom, associate director of the Penn State Center for Sustainability, will visit each campus to share the plan in its current form and to listen to input from the campus and the public.

Untitled

Strategic plan's academic goal teaches sustainability to students

9/12/11

Penn State's University Sustainability Council is drafting the University's first strategic plan for sustainability. The council is seeking public input for five-goal plan during the drafting process. The second goal of Penn State's Strategic Plan for Sustainability aims to educate students about sustainability. "Students are requesting more sustainability instruction, aware that employers are seeking to hire graduates who are knowledgeable about sustainability," said Rob Pangborn, vice president and dean for Undergraduate Education. "Penn State can play a unique role in addressing one of our society's most pressing issues by bringing faculty expertise and emerging research to the classroom, to produce graduates who also can lead in this effort."

Untitled

Strategic plan's first goal aims to integrate sustainability efforts

9/6/11

Penn State's University Sustainability Council is drafting the University's first strategic plan for sustainability and is seeking public input during the drafting process. The first goal of Penn State's Strategic Plan for Sustainability aims to embed sustainability as a core principle and fundamental part of the Penn State experience.

Untitled

Sustainability strategic plan in progress, council seeks public input

8/29/11

Penn State's University Sustainability Council is drafting the University's first strategic plan for sustainability and is seeking public input during the drafting process. "The Strategic Plan for Sustainability will provide the roadmap for ensuring that the Priorities for Excellence goal of increasing the number of academic offerings that incorporate sustainability into the curriculum is met and that sustainability is researched, taught, promoted and practiced," said Rod Erickson, Penn State executive vice president and provost. "It will follow the University's strategic planning framework, and specific strategies and metrics will be developed concurrently at the college, campus and unit levels. Its development will involve students, faculty, staff, leadership, alumni, supporters and corporate partners."

Core Council committee finds millions of dollars in cost-savings

8/28/11

When Penn State's tuition rates were approved by the Board of Trustees in July, the increase was much lower than expected, given the 19 percent cut to the University's state appropriation. Part of the reason the University was able to keep tuition down was the work done by the Core Council, chaired by Executive Vice President and Provost Rod Erickson, and the Academic and Administrative Services Review Coordinating Committee, led by Al Horvath, senior vice president for Finance and Business. Mainly through changes in big-ticket items, including employee benefits and energy savings, the committee identified $10 million in permanent cost-savings for the University - and it's not done yet.

Untitled

Penn State drafting strategic plan for sustainability, seeks ideas

7/25/11

In response to the multiple ecological, economic and social crises affecting the world today, Penn State is drafting its first strategic plan for sustainability. The development of a sustainability plan will involve students, faculty, staff, leadership, alumni, supporters and corporate partners. The council writing the plan wants to hear the public's ideas now to help make it the best possible plan.

Untitled

Board hears about strategic plan and continuing progress

5/13/11

Over the last two decades, Penn State has reallocated $203 million to strategically important academic areas and received approval from the Board of Trustees for the restructuring, elimination or merger of more than a hundred programs and numerous departments. These were just a few of the results Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost Rod Erickson reported to the Board of Trustees Friday (May 13) as he gave an informational report on the progress made in the implementation of "Priorities for Excellence: The Penn State Strategic Plan 2009-10 through 2013-14." Erickson reported that Penn State's enrollment has grown, even as the University has been focused on efficiencies and cost savings. Between fall 2001 and fall 2010, undergraduate and graduate enrollment at University Park, the 19 Commonwealth Campuses and online enrollment in the World Campus has increased by more than 14,000 students.

Untitled

As colleges move through Core Council process, new ideas emerge

2/24/11

A little over a year ago, a University committee started a process of reviewing academic programs, college-by-college, in response to a strategy in goal #2 of the University strategic plan calling for a consolidation of academic programs through targeted reviews. The committee was charged with identifying new ways to maintain academic excellence, while helping Penn State become a more efficient and effective institution. "The process has been fair, relevant and comprehensive," said Smeal College of Business Dean James Thomas. "There's been strategic relevance in the recommendations. Cutting for the sake of cutting isn't good. There needs to be rhyme and reason for the strategic goals of a college in addition to relevance for the University, and that's what we're seeing in this process."

Program changes necessary to capture savings and opportunities

1/26/11

Pennsylvania, like other states across the nation, is struggling with a budget shortfall in the billions. For universities such as Penn State that rely on state support, the picture for the coming year is challenging, to say the least. Penn State officials have been planning for broad changes to help compensate for years of stagnant state support, while still allowing the University to seize new opportunities.

Over the last several weeks, recommendations for some program consolidations and closures have been announced as college deans, chancellors and other budget executives prepare their units for change.

"Closing and consolidating programs is never an easy thing to do, but a decade and more of state appropriation cuts has inevitable consequences," said Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost Rod Erickson. "We can no longer afford to be all things to all people in the Commonwealth." However, Erickson stressed that this process is proceeding in a way that will make the University stronger in support of those programs and functions that will continue.