Southern Polytechnic State University
Strategic Planning Template
Strategic Goal # 1
Develop A Physical Environment That Supports A Positive Culture
Strategies/ Action Plan #1:
Develop a Comprehensive Facility Usage Plan
Responsibility:
This plan should be developed based upon the needs of the Academic Departments to add classroom space for additional sections and to provide instruction to a greater number of students.
Time Frame:
Plan should be developed in Fiscal Year 2007.
Resources Required:
VPAA in conjunction with the Deans and the Academic Department Chairs will need to first determine how much additional space is needed. Then Facilities Management will need to budget funding for any needed renovations.
Assessment:
SPSU can track the number of new classrooms that have been added as a result of better utilization of existing space and can count the number of additional students receiving instruction in those areas.
Use of Results:
SPSU should grow in enrollment as new sections and new classes can be added to the current curriculum.
Strategies/ Action Plans # 2:
Update the existing Master Plan and notify the campus community as to its elements.
Responsibility:
This responsibility primarily rests with the members of the Senior Staff with close coordination with the Senior Director of Facilities Management, the System Office and local political leaders.
Time Frame:
Fiscal Year 2007 and ongoing beyond that point.
Resources Required:
Funding will be required from the System Office and from the Foundation with some funding providing through the City of Marietta.
Assessment:
SPSU can track the progress of the plan as an improved traffic flow onto the campus with an information kiosk staffed by upperclassmen in the main entrance becomes a reality. Once the main entrance has been revamped, SPSU can move the Admissions Office and develop a Welcome Center on the north side of the Student Center where adequate parking will be available in front of and near the building entrance.
Use of Results:
Visitors, students, new staff and faculty members will be directed to one area where senior personnel are available to answer questions and direct them to the difficult to find facilities such as the Burrus Auditorium and the Atrium Building. Long term, the campus community will evolve into a more uniform structure where space is better utilized.
Strategies/ Action Plan # 3:
Upgrade existing building environments to include Major Repair and Replacement (MRR) and improvement of grounds keeping.
Responsibility:
The Members of the Senior Staff with input from the Senior Director of Facilities Management and the Academic Chairs.
Time Frame:
Fiscal Year 2007 and ongoing.
Resources Required:
Based on current remodeling costs, the sub-group estimated that it will cost fifty dollars ($50.00) per square foot to renovate interior space. Example: Building B has approximately 9,730 square feet and it would cost approximately $486,350 to renovate that building. Other buildings on campus are in a greater need for renovation to develop more classroom space.
Also, every member of the campus community should be aware of the amount of litter on the campus and employ an “adopt a campus” approach to their area. Any litter that is within 100 yards of your building should be picked up and disposed of properly by the occupants of your building.
Assessment:
SPSU has a number of old buildings that will not be replaced within the next ten to fifteen years. Those buildings can be targeted for MRR to make them suitable for classrooms, laboratories or office space for staff and faculty.
Use of Results:
As each building is renovated, it can be used to better serve the student population and the members of the campus community. Adding additional course sections to be taught in the newly renovated buildings will help to increase enrollment. The physical appearance of the campus will be noticeably improved.
Strategies/ Action Plan # 4:
The campus community should address quality of life issues.
Responsibility:
Human Resources can provide instructional on how one should act on a residence campus as this is their “home” while at Southern Poly. Also, students should be taught how to balance the social and study environment where both activities can be ongoing without one interfering with the other. With so many students from such diverse backgrounds, culture clashes are inevitable. The Counseling Center can provide a series of workshops on cohabitating with someone of a different faith and interests other than your own.
Time Frame:
Fiscal Year 2007 and ongoing.
Resources Required:
Space such as the Student Center Theatre to conduct the workshops and members of the campus community or outside professionals to conduct the sessions.
Assessment:
The campus community can learn what the students want and need from Southern Poly. It may be that video games are preferred over pool and ping pong in the Student Center. Areas of the recreation center may need to be renovated to allow for some activity other than exercise. Classes are typically held in a 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. time frame. Students may desire early classes (7:00 or 8:00 a.m.) so they can get away earlier for the weekend or go to part-time employment. Saturday classes may fit into a students schedule better than scheduling all classes Monday through Thursday. Holding classes later in the day may be more accommodating to students and faculty who are not “morning persons”
Students may desire more “certification” type programs such as medical coding and surveying that they can complete in six months to a year to qualify to sit for State exams in those areas of employment areas. Not all students are interested in spending the time and resources that are required in four, five or six year degree programs.
Use of Results:
SPSU will have a better understanding of the needs and wants of the students from the University and will be in a better position to fulfill those needs. Counseling and workshops to enhance social skills can reduce the number of times conflicts occur between students and among students and University officials.