Because a quorum was not present at the meeting, following are notes of what was discussed:

I. Rosemarie Hoopes raised the question: With changes in administration, who's job is it to monitor the college's progress towards completion of elements of the college plan? Discussion placed that responsibility on the Planning Council. The establishment of three year terms for some members and sustaining terms for others has created a continuity. Each year the council, using information from Institutional Effectiveness and reports from the units and divisions, should review the status of all elements of the plan. This review provides some of the information needed to determine whether a college strategic goal or strategic objective has been achieved or the current status of the college as it moves toward completion of the goal or objective. After evaluation, the council incorporates this information into modifications, if any, of the current goals and objectives. Where needed, additional strategic goals can be developed.

II. Overview of the status of the 1997 - 1998 college plan A. As of the date of the meeting some units are still completing their plans. Pulling together the college plan cannot occur until all units complete and submit their plans.

III. Discussion concerning how to develop strategic goals: The majority of the meeting was spent discussing a change in how the college planning council develops the strategic plan.

One part of the college plan needs to contain strategic objectives that establish levels of achievement in areas we must address as part of the mission of a community college. The creation of the categories, instruction...student support...administration...etc., and the development of strategic objectives with measures, standards and completion dates is addressing this first step. Each year, based on a report from the Institutional Effectiveness Committee, the Planning Council needs to review the measures, standards and completion dates for appropriateness. Modification should be made based on the data supplied.

The big change is that the Planning Council needs to be looking five to ten years in the future and based on statistical information, internal and external trends data, information from other sources, focus group, college community, etc., develop strategic goals. These strategic goals should help focus the energy and resources of the college. As these goals are developed, the appropriate strategic objectives are linked to the goal, and additional strategic objectives are developed as needed.

To do this, the Planning council needs to be more global in its deliberations. Members of the council need to move out of their day to day roles and job specific activities, to think at the college level. In effect, when council members come to meetings, they need to move into a different way of looking at the college.

The development strategic goals should not be rushed. Development of a strategic goal should result from a detailed understanding of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that will impact the college in the next five to ten years. Before a goal becomes a part of the strategic plan for the college, it should be clearly understood by the college community and recognized by that community as a valid direction for the college. If only one strategic goal is developed next Fall, that is OK.

There should be no specific number of strategic goals. The final number of goals should be determined by our understanding of where we need to be.

That council members might be able to make reasoned strategic decisions, each member of the council needs to be informed. Because of the wide diversity of membership on the council, individuals should be exposed to diverse information that will impact the college as we move into the next century. This information should flow from each member to each member. To facilitate that flow, information given to the chair will be distributed to all. Members are to begin gathering that information for distribution.

A. Use of Focus group information

B. Use of Statistical information

C. Use of Institutional Effectiveness information

IV. Plan is on the Web. The chair has developed a web page for planning. The address is http://www.accd.edu/sac/instplan/planning.htm. You can access it through the ACCD homepage or SAC homepage as well. The web site contains the membership of the council, both last year and this, the college mission and vision, the 1996 - 1997 college goals and objectives, the planning philosophy statement, and the "fixit" plan. Additionally, there are links to other college plans. This page is being developed as the web is explored.

V. Town meeting to "Cuss and Discuss the SAC Planning Process" - February 17, 2:00, VATC 120. All planning council members are invited to attend this first general discussion of the SAC plan and planning process. The results of a survey on the plan and planning process, distributed to all unit managers, will be made available at the meeting.

VI. Next Council Meeting: April 14, 1997, 2:00 - 4:00, VATC 120 A. Meeting Goals:

1. Finalize 1997 - 1998 Comprehensive College Plan

2. Review the planning process including information from the survey and the "Cuss and Discuss..." meeting.

3. Review the SAC vision and mission statements.