A Vision for USM’s Future
President Presents Plan
President Pattenaude unveiled action steps to implement USM's
new strategic plan at the annual breakfast that opened the
academic year, Friday, August 31. That plan, "Achieving
National Recognition for Regional Excellence," contains
a strategy for the next ten years which will “take USM
to a higher level of quality and impact,” Pattenaude
said.
As he welcomed a bumper crop of new faculty and staff at
the breakfast, Pattenaude also gave credit to the dedication,
experience and service of those who have been a part of USM
over the years, saying it takes a wide range of talents and
skills to make a university. “New people bring an influx
of ideas, interests and world views that blend with the valued
experience of faculty and staff who have been here many years,”
he said.
Turning to the long-term plan and the work plan, or action
steps, that will carry it out over the next two years, he
said the goal is to become “such a fine regional institution
that we will gain national attention.” Both plans will
be distributed across campus later this month.
The strategic plan presents a “bold aggressive vision
that will rankle folks statewide,” he said, “but
so be it.” The plan “is a vision of the university
you want. This is what you told us you want to do.” The
vision plan is based on last fall's Board of Visitors' report,
"A Southern Maine Imperative," and on discussions
held on and off campus last year.
The work plan, which will be updated every few years, will
get us from where we are to the vision presented in "Achieving
National Recognition for Regional Excellence.” Pattenaude
expects the plan will result in USM rising in US News &World
Report rankings, Carnegie rankings, and in the respect of
peer institutions. He noted that USM needs to make changes
because, “the institution has evolved faster than our
policies.”
He pointed out that most of the items in the work plan are
low cost. “It’s about ideas and attitudes....”
He noted that we must overcome fragmentation and bring into
dialogue colleagues within the university who have common
interests.
The work plan included a review of all academic programs with
a focus on regional responsiveness, a facilities improvement
program, and a broad-based public awareness campaign, among
others.
Provost Joe Wood will lead academic steps, including reviews
of programs, research, general education, and faculty roles.
The academic review also will include careful selection of
undergraduate and graduate programs to be added and identification
of areas of excellence. (See accompanying story, “Provost
Outlines.”)
Other divisions of the university will move to align resources
with goals by completing the capital campaign, developing
a long-term fundraising strategy, and undertaking conservation
efforts.
USM will coordinate marketing activities now spread throughout
campus, he said, and develop consistency in the presentation
of USM off-campus.
Capital improvement goals Pattenaude identified include finishing
the top floors of the Glickman Library, renovating the Muskie
Building, building a conference center/parking garage, and,
possibly, a music/theater complex. The biggest applause came
in response to his inclusion of upgrades to classrooms.
Finally, to make the university community more welcoming
and affirming to students, the President said he’s asked
Craig Hutchinson, the new vice president for student development,
to lead his division in exploring and planning a broader view
of student life.
Pointing to recent achievements, Pattenaude noted that when
final figures are tabulated in early October, it is expected
that USM's enrollment will total 11,000 for the first time
in the institution's history. “It is amazing”, he
said, “to have enrollment and quality of students increase
at the same time.”
In listing a number of renovations and capital improvements
completed, he announced that the new residence hall in Gorham,
the first in 30 years, will be named for the late USM administrator
Harlan Philippi. Philippi served USM as dean of the College
of Education, dean of LAC, interim president twice, and interim
chancellor. There will be an official naming ceremony at 4
p.m., Friday, September 28.
Cautioning about challenges ahead, Pattenaude said that in
the 2002/03 year, USM will receive only a 2.5 percent budget
increase at the same time that we will face a 45 percent increase
in health care costs. To contain costs, he said, there will
be a wellness initiative led by Tom Downing, director of Lifeline,
and energy and resource conservation efforts led by a new
committee for environmental sustainability, under the guidance
of Dave Early, executive director of facilities management.
Despite challenging short-term economic forecasts, the long-term
strategic plan includes upgrades of library staffing and collections.
To improve campus appearance it recommends increasing the
facilities renovation fund, developing a renovation schedule,
and creating a stewards program to work with DFM on building
upkeep.
Although USM continues to be hindered by inadequate resources,
“Achieving National Recognition for Regional Excellence”
points to USM’s strengths in faculty and staff, good
instruction and small class size, diversity of life experiences
among our students, and growing recognition and support off-campus.
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