The following is the first "In-line Editorial" posted by me, Dan Prowse, unafraid. The In-line will run commentary on the most recent Press Release from College of Lake County, the first of its kind, actually. Never in the colleges history has the Faculty Orientation Speech EVER been publicly reported , let alone from "the inside". So, now that it has, I can actually comment on it. And it needs comment. The Paste:
8.14.2006
Strategic planning process launched at staff orientation session
The College of Lake County today officially kicked-off a comprehensive strategic planning process called “Quest for the Best” at opening sessions of a fall semester orientation week program for employees.
And I know who thought of that name...bribe me!
And I know who thought of that name...bribe me!
Added 10-4-2006: MY new name for it is, "Quest for the Best - Take a Rest!" - because the whole project has been scrapped for at least a year.
The strategic planning process was authorized by the CLC board of trustees at its July 25 meeting, and the name “Quest for the Best” was selected by the trustees and leaders of college governance groups at a retreat Aug. 7.
Retreats can be fun, too!
Added 10-4-2006: Time to retreat, more.
The strategic planning process was authorized by the CLC board of trustees at its July 25 meeting, and the name “Quest for the Best” was selected by the trustees and leaders of college governance groups at a retreat Aug. 7.
Retreats can be fun, too!
Added 10-4-2006: Time to retreat, more.
"Quest for the Best" will engage the college in taking a comprehensive look at almost everything it does, leading to setting priorities for the next three, five and seven-plus years, according to CLC President Richard W. Fonté.
How do they put that cool ` over the 'e' - and the other direction?
Speaking at the first orientation session on Aug. 14, Fonté told employees that the college is conducting the strategic planning process “because it is simply time for it.” He cited the fact that Lake County has changed radically in the 10 years since CLC last conducted a strategic planning effort and further changes are projected for the next 10 years.
He means that literally - CLC does this Strategic Planning EVERY 10 years since it began- no real surprise here.
Added 10-4-2006: Ooops.
Fonté said that demographic changes, particularly in the northeast quadrant of Lake County, have changed the profile of the students the college serves and the community needs it must be prepared to meet.
Frankly, I don't agree with the focus of the numbers. The largest Hispanic growth has clearly been in the North WEST of Lake County over the last 20 years. I don't think anyone has even talked about that over coffee (thereby not violating the "Open Meetings Act", an Act to be sure, and always a fun oxymoron in the Real World.
Then again, perhaps I haven't done enough cursory research - I know how he gets when you don't do any research: we only have ourselves to blame.
He also indicated that the college will probably be challenged with continued declines in the percentage of funding coming from the state and with anticipating what students will need to learn in five or 10 years in a world “where technology seems to change almost in nanoseconds.”
As I was actually present, I kind of giggled in my headset when he said "nanoseconds": that's when my super asked me to shut of my mic (he doesn't like to hear grown men giggle on headsets). "Honestly, Venessa, nanoseconds. I mean...that's really, really fast, isn't it?" Fake Austin Powers quote - haha, I said Austin! I knew I could work Austin into this commentary!
To anticipate and meet future student and community needs, the college is conducting the strategic planning process, he said.
Fonté said that demographic changes, particularly in the northeast quadrant of Lake County, have changed the profile of the students the college serves and the community needs it must be prepared to meet.
Frankly, I don't agree with the focus of the numbers. The largest Hispanic growth has clearly been in the North WEST of Lake County over the last 20 years. I don't think anyone has even talked about that over coffee (thereby not violating the "Open Meetings Act", an Act to be sure, and always a fun oxymoron in the Real World.
Then again, perhaps I haven't done enough cursory research - I know how he gets when you don't do any research: we only have ourselves to blame.
He also indicated that the college will probably be challenged with continued declines in the percentage of funding coming from the state and with anticipating what students will need to learn in five or 10 years in a world “where technology seems to change almost in nanoseconds.”
As I was actually present, I kind of giggled in my headset when he said "nanoseconds": that's when my super asked me to shut of my mic (he doesn't like to hear grown men giggle on headsets). "Honestly, Venessa, nanoseconds. I mean...that's really, really fast, isn't it?" Fake Austin Powers quote - haha, I said Austin! I knew I could work Austin into this commentary!
To anticipate and meet future student and community needs, the college is conducting the strategic planning process, he said.
Added 10-4-2006: Yes, in the future!
“Over the next year, we’ll be looking at almost everything the college does—from academic programs to facilities needs, from technology to business practices. We’ll look at best practices, whether they are own or those of other institutions. We’ll be about the business of learning, at every level of the college,” Fonté said.
Let's just hope he doesn't "look" here! Well, as he has said, "I cannot COMMAND it to stop, I can only hope.". True, very true.
Added 10-4-2006: But, as I recall, he also said that CLC should be about the business of teaching - I am confused!
“Over the next year, we’ll be looking at almost everything the college does—from academic programs to facilities needs, from technology to business practices. We’ll look at best practices, whether they are own or those of other institutions. We’ll be about the business of learning, at every level of the college,” Fonté said.
Let's just hope he doesn't "look" here! Well, as he has said, "I cannot COMMAND it to stop, I can only hope.". True, very true.
Added 10-4-2006: But, as I recall, he also said that CLC should be about the business of teaching - I am confused!
Workforce preparation issues and academic programming at the Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan and Southlake Educational Center in Vernon Hills will be included among the areas of special focus, Fonté said, emphasizing the continuing need for the college to bring high quality programs and services directly to Lake County residents, “where they live, so they can access them in a way that fits their lives.”
Shouldn't we also be looking at Wauconda/Crystal Lake/Antioch areas for growth and facilities?
Because CLC is a community college, the initiative will include broad-based community involvement by business leaders, community organizations, local advisory groups and civic leaders, among others, Fonté said, adding that the effort will also involve a goal of “100 percent involvement by employees.”
Their recent contract with Dell for our computers should make these collaborations very tedious.
Fonté stressed that the “plan to plan” — the method for conducting the strategic planning process — is still a work in progress with “not every ‘T’ crossed or ‘I’ dotted,” and he invited employees to provide feedback and guidance on the process.
And by that, we can only hope that "work in progress" stays just that - work in progress. You cannot commit to one way of planning as that notion ruins plans.
Added 10-4-2006: Not one survey or meeting has been devoted to this process of guidance - so far.
Following Fonté’s remarks, Dr. Nancy McNerney, assistant vice president for institutional effectiveness, planning and research, provided an overview of a suggested approach to conducting the strategic planning process that had been developed with input from the board of trustees, leaders of college governance groups and other employees.
Well, Mr. Carrigan, although I didn't "...give a drum solo..." for the crowd, Nancy did come up with a cute Microsoft Drummer. Hey, you have to break up the boring number crunching with something - it might as well be a drumsolo from a computer icon.*
This approach would involve faculty and staff teams in(sup) looking at a variety of issues crossing departmental lines as well as individual departments and units looking at their own operations and priorities.
Yep, units.
Community feedback would come from focus groups or open forums with community and civic groups as well as meetings with specialized audiences such as educators, industry representatives and members of the Lakeshore Campus and Southlake Educational Center advisory groups, McNerney said.
Well, that might work as long as we don't get sucked into the same mentality that was reported as present in the AQIP 9-pointer (point 9). Which points out that focus groups with area High Schools proved somewhat dismal, at least in sheer attendance. I am not suggesting that the quality was in any way shaded.
Issues addressed would include such topics as planning for the college’s future facilities' needs, academic programming at the Lakeshore Campus and Southlake Educational Center, workforce preparation, summer session programming, the freshman experience offered to students and much more.
"facilities needs"? OK, maybe when Lakeshore gets remodeled, we can look at Student Activities & Counseling & Financial Aid areas expanding. You can only "go vertical" so much! I'm not bitter, I just don't want to have to go through another Presidential Search Process so soon.
BTW, the Main Lobby Fountains of Youth look really nice. As nice as my underwear.
“Whether you’re in the English department or the payroll department,” McNerney told employees, “you’ll be asked to look at what the future holds for your area and what we should be doing to prepare.” Who doesn't do that everyday at lunch?
Not to be taken lightly - The English and Payroll departments will be the first to gather info.
Sorry, that's not right! I forgot, Nancy was talking. She was being general.
McNerney indicated, as did Fonté, that components of the strategic planning process are still a work in progress. The preliminary schedule calls for completing a draft of the college’s strategic plan in February 2007.
Again, with the "work in progress", didn't I already hammer that nail home?
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The Cut:
Well, wasn't that fun? I thought so. My comments were in Blue "Ink".
*Yeah, I kind of digg the fact that Mr. Carrigan puts forth effort to say hello to me in front of big CLC crowds - not that anybody would notice, nor do I care all that much for the "notoriety" - if any (none perceived) - but, that's just one more vote positive for the Board accepting any decent future proposal to license the puppy for Educational FM Broadcasting.
And of course, I am missing the point.
Due to recent policy and job description changes, Dr. Fonte is probably going to be designated the only one necessary for FM decisions to be adopted. The Board may decide to not get too involved in the first place, which is their right (IF they vote on that issue alone, first) and that kind of decision is usually sanctioned by FCC regulations regarding Educational Broadcast license holders for an educational institution, anyway.
Following Fonté’s remarks, Dr. Nancy McNerney, assistant vice president for institutional effectiveness, planning and research, provided an overview of a suggested approach to conducting the strategic planning process that had been developed with input from the board of trustees, leaders of college governance groups and other employees.
Well, Mr. Carrigan, although I didn't "...give a drum solo..." for the crowd, Nancy did come up with a cute Microsoft Drummer. Hey, you have to break up the boring number crunching with something - it might as well be a drumsolo from a computer icon.*
This approach would involve faculty and staff teams in(sup) looking at a variety of issues crossing departmental lines as well as individual departments and units looking at their own operations and priorities.
Yep, units.
Community feedback would come from focus groups or open forums with community and civic groups as well as meetings with specialized audiences such as educators, industry representatives and members of the Lakeshore Campus and Southlake Educational Center advisory groups, McNerney said.
Well, that might work as long as we don't get sucked into the same mentality that was reported as present in the AQIP 9-pointer (point 9). Which points out that focus groups with area High Schools proved somewhat dismal, at least in sheer attendance. I am not suggesting that the quality was in any way shaded.
Issues addressed would include such topics as planning for the college’s future facilities' needs, academic programming at the Lakeshore Campus and Southlake Educational Center, workforce preparation, summer session programming, the freshman experience offered to students and much more.
"facilities needs"? OK, maybe when Lakeshore gets remodeled, we can look at Student Activities & Counseling & Financial Aid areas expanding. You can only "go vertical" so much! I'm not bitter, I just don't want to have to go through another Presidential Search Process so soon.
BTW, the Main Lobby Fountains of Youth look really nice. As nice as my underwear.
“Whether you’re in the English department or the payroll department,” McNerney told employees, “you’ll be asked to look at what the future holds for your area and what we should be doing to prepare.” Who doesn't do that everyday at lunch?
Not to be taken lightly - The English and Payroll departments will be the first to gather info.
Sorry, that's not right! I forgot, Nancy was talking. She was being general.
McNerney indicated, as did Fonté, that components of the strategic planning process are still a work in progress. The preliminary schedule calls for completing a draft of the college’s strategic plan in February 2007.
Again, with the "work in progress", didn't I already hammer that nail home?
---------------------
The Cut:
Well, wasn't that fun? I thought so. My comments were in Blue "Ink".
*Yeah, I kind of digg the fact that Mr. Carrigan puts forth effort to say hello to me in front of big CLC crowds - not that anybody would notice, nor do I care all that much for the "notoriety" - if any (none perceived) - but, that's just one more vote positive for the Board accepting any decent future proposal to license the puppy for Educational FM Broadcasting.
And of course, I am missing the point.
Due to recent policy and job description changes, Dr. Fonte is probably going to be designated the only one necessary for FM decisions to be adopted. The Board may decide to not get too involved in the first place, which is their right (IF they vote on that issue alone, first) and that kind of decision is usually sanctioned by FCC regulations regarding Educational Broadcast license holders for an educational institution, anyway.
