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President Carol T. Christ is holding small-group
conversations with students, faculty and staff about positioning Smith most successfully
for the future. Here's a summary of one of the discussions.
Following a welcome and introductions, President Christ gave a summary of the strategic
planning process, noting that it is intended to coincide with the college’s
re-accreditation review. An overall goal is to arrive at six to 10 important issues
for the college to address that will have a significant effect on the excellence of
the college. She posed the following questions as a point of departure:
President Christ noted that in the course of conversations with alumnae this fall,
which she described as “a rich source of input,” Smith graduates have
said that the capacities they consider most important and have less to do with their
academic experiences than with other learning experiences they had at the college.
The president went on to outline areas that the Board of Trustees recently identified
as priorities for the college:
After discussion opened to the audience, the following
proposals were offered:
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Smith should be
a “moral model” in its personnel policies, as a way of teaching
students how to be more compassionate and sensitive to those who are disadvantaged.
It was suggested that the college should offer benefits to temporary employees. |
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Enhanced education
about issues of diversity, including classism. |
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Sustainability and responsible
energy use as part of the college’s strategic plan and curriculum. |
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Improvements to the condition
of the houses, as well as overall support for the house system as a learning
environment and for a greater range of residential options within the house
system. |
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Attention to increased workload
among academic assistants. This broadened to a conversation about work-life
balance and the messages being sent to students about their ability to “have
it all” -- without a consideration of tradeoffs. It was pointed
out that success needs to be defined and measured in many ways, including
being a good citizen, interacting respectfully with others, and being open
to difference. |
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Cultivation of a culture of
respect. |
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Stronger, and better funded,
programs in public speaking, communication, and quantitative skills. |
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A possible return to “mandatory” events,
so that the campus community develops shared moments and experiences. Concern
was expressed about “an overwhelming number of events that are poorly
attended.” |
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An effective mission statement. |
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Essential
Information
Questions
to Consider
Organization &
Structure
Process & Timeline
Assumptions
About
the Planning Process
Planning Updates
NEASC
Reaccreditation
Join
the Planning
Process
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