Smith College: Strategic Planning


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OPEN DOORS TO WOMEN OF PROMISE


1	Invest in admission marketing and outreach in the South and West to build awareness of Smith.

2	Build "feeder school" relationships in specific targeted areas, such as the arts, sciences and engineering, etc.

3	Acknowledge and address the preparation of entering students:

Ensure that learning centers for writing and quantitative skills are prepared to provide appropriate support to these students.
Review pre-major and major advising systems in light of changing student needs.
Embrace opportunities to support students with weaker backgrounds with innovative programs and new approaches to entry-level courses.
Provide additional support for low-income students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including an educational brochure and appointment of a non-faculty adviser to develop sensitive and creative programming for students on a tight budget. (Sid Dalby) SD7-1
Expand (double number) orientation programs to include all entering first-year students and blend pre-orientation into the required orientation program to provide all students with an interest-based, small group experience. (Rae-Anne Butera) SD7-2
Establish Science, Engineering and Math Scholars program to enhance academic achievement among under-represented minorities and low-income students through recruitment efforts, pre-enrollment and academic year programming, curricular reform in gateway courses, improved peer and faculty mentoring, and assessment. (Jaynie Barnes, Maria Bickar, Lizmarie Lopez, Laura Katz, and Kate Queeney) SD7-8
Provide a “bridge” course for disadvantaged students, to be taken during the summer before they enter, and designed to prepare the student for her first semester’s courses at Smith. (Maria Bickar) SD7-9
Establish an optional host family program, which could be especially useful for low-income, international, Ada Comstock, and graduate students. (Sid Dalby) SD7-1


4	Improve Smith’s Web site and develop a virtual tour.

5	Increase use of merit aid to yield top-ranking lower-need students.

6	Launch a residential program for exceptionally gifted women of high school age. (Stephanie Schoen) SD7-3

7	Support the emerging and currently grant-funded Center for Women in Mathematics. (Ruth Haas) SD7-4

8	Conduct a facility audit and program review to develop plan for compliance with disability non-discrimination obligations. Develop a specific plan for assuring compliance with program accessibility requirements under Section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act and for other facility improvements. (Common Ground Diversity Committee, Laura Rauscher) SD1-4, SD7-5

9	Strengthen capacity to serve students with learning disabilities as well as students with range of undiagnosed, but significant learning challenges through a collaborative effort among the Jacobson Center, Disability Services, and Educational Technologies. (Laura Rauscher) SD7-6

10	Establish a student research program (Student Scholars Community) that would be more accessible to a wide range of students than fellowships already on campus and that will offer students greater opportunities to accomplish the research they desire. (Common Ground Diversity Committee) SD1-4

11	Develop scholarship program to bring a cohort of students to Smith each year from developing countries. (Laura Katz) SD7-7

Strengthen Essential Student Capacities

Promote a Culture of Research, Inquiry,
& Discovery

Encourage Purposeful Engagement with Society’s Challenges

Deepen Students’ Awareness &
Appreciation of
Other Cultures &
Global Issues

Prepare Women for Rewarding Lives in a Rapidly Changing
World

Support & Promote Environmental Sustainability

Open Doors to
Women of Promise

Extend Smith’s
Impact on the World

Other Proposals