Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is strategic planning ?

A: Day-to-day planning happens all the time that is activity-centered in reaction to an event, problem, or situation. What makes planning strategic is when it focuses on outcomes and how to achieve pre-determined outcomes. Strategic planning sets goals and the incremental steps to attain those goals.

Q: What is the goal of strategic planning?

A: The goal of strategic planning is to improve the organization. Improvements are made through purposeful change that takes into account the resources of the college -- namely, the financial, people, and physical plant resources.

Q: What is a SWOT analysis?

A: The acronym stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Through data and personal interviews an analysis can be done of the college's areas of strength and weakness. Likewise, the information gathered can delineate areas of opportunity for the college. 'Opportunities' is a broad term that includes any number of things: for example, new program offerings, innovative student recruitment efforts, and fund raising activities. 'Threats' is another broad term that signifies areas of challenge for the college. A hypothetical example would be if one of Nazareth 's competitors began to aggressively recruit students for an athletic team that is new to that college but is a sport in which Nazareth has already established a winning reputation.

 

Q: What is the job of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee?

A: The Steering Committee is an advisory team to the President. It is meaningful to begin a description of the work of the steering committee by stating what the steering committee does NOT do. The committee does not set goals, prioritize goals, or write a strategic plan document. The committee does : (1) keep the process moving forward, (2) ensure that communication is flowing between all constituents regarding the process, (3) maintain an open and inclusive process, and (4) initiate celebrations of successes.

Q: What time span does the strategic plan for Nazareth College cover?

A: The objective is to have specific goals and an action-item plan to attain each goal for a five year period; in other words, it will be a plan for what the college will be like in the year 2011. The final strategic plan document will also outline directions for the five year period that follows so that it will provide the college with goals for the next ten years.

Q: When implemented, will the progress of the strategic plan be monitored and assessed?

A: Absolutely! And the process for how that takes place will be a part of the strategic plan itself.

Q: Is there opportunity to modify the strategic plan if needed?

A: Yes. In order to ensure success of the strategic plan, adjustments to the goals and the action plans may be required. Likewise, monitoring the progress on its implementation may determine that modifications are needed.

Q: How were members of the steering committee chosen?

A: Recommendations for steering committee members were given to the President by the Senior Staff, Staff Welfare Committee, and Faculty Executive Committee. It is important to note that the membership of the steering committee was not intended to be a group that proportionately represented different divisions of the college; instead, the intention was to build a group that would creatively and effectively work as a team to move the strategic planning process forward.

Q: Will I have a chance to participate in the strategic planning process?

A: Yes! All community members who choose to participate will, and are encouraged to do so. The consultants meet with groups of faculty, staff, students, and alumni during Phase I of the process to gather input on their perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of the college as well as their vision for what the college will be like in five years and ten years. Phase II includes roundtable discussions which will include community representatives for gathering reaction to, and further input for, the discussion paper. In Phase III the consultants will draft the Strategic Plan document. Phase III will also then involve another set of roundtable discussions focusing on the Strategic Plan draft. Therefore, you will have several opportunities to participate throughout the process.

Q: How will the President and the Steering Committee update the college community on what's happening with strategic planning?

A: Many methods of communication will be employed throughout the process. First and foremost, this web site will be updated continuously throughout the process. In addition to the web site, be looking for updates through e-mail, electronic newsletters and community meetings.

Q: Why is Nazareth College engaging in a strategic planning process?

A: The College has not had a strategic plan for the last 10 years. Strategic planning is an opportunity for an institution to examine itself and plan for the future, and it helps to keep an institution healthy and forward-looking. Middle States provided the platform for assessing the college and its functions. Now, a strategic plan will move forward the recommendations for action of the Middle States report as well as more goals and initiatives that will position Nazareth securely in the local, national, and global communities.

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