Plan aims to improve campus image

Vision 2001 developed handle budget cuts, redefine community standing

While budget recommendations for the 1995-96 academic year at Cal State Long Beach are not expected until June, plans that affect that budget have been underway for months with a focus on academics and student relations, said Cher Thomas, interim director of academic planning for the California State University.

According to the 32-page CSULB 1995-96 strategic plan, six main priorities have been outlined to improve the university's image as "the campus of choice in Southern California."

The strategic priorities include, emphasis on high quality undergraduate liberal education, a student-centered environment with excellent services and operations, an aggressive campaign to attract academically talented 18-22 year old students, continuing fund raising efforts, striving to be recognized as an urban university with strong regional partnerships, and to improve retention and graduation rates.

Looking toward the future is commonplace for universities, but increased forecasting at CSULB came in 1992 under then president Curtis McCray. He designed the Vision Planning Group, which later developed into Vision 2001 Ñ the program that has shaped current strategic plans.

Thomas said that the focus of planning has been to take a proactive, rather than reactive, stance to budget cuts.

"We want to get word out about our values and priorities, it's not about money," Thomas said.

She added that parts of the plan are already in place at CSULB. "We want to continue with programs that we know work."

Once the budget is in place and new plans are implemented, it will take several months before results can be examined, said Cynthia Johnson, director of strategic planning for CSULB.

Both women expressed concern over student involvement in strategic planning and both felt student input is extremely important in the planning process at CSULB.

Johnson said, "Get involved."