THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO
Vision/Mission Rewrite Team Meeting
June 30, 2006Any minutes from the July 17th meeting would be short since only a handful were able to meet (Lisa Blazer, Patrick Valdez, Carolyn Ellis and me). But, I also met with co-chair Mansour El-Kikhia to discuss the presentation our committee must make next week to the 2016 Central Planning Committee (some of you will be there, too). So... I'm writing notes that sum up both meetings: We agreed to seek confirmation from the Central Planning Committee about charge of our committee (a. examine current mission/vision and propose changes; b. develop collaborative, university-wide process to involve as many people as possible in our efforts). From my discussions with others on the Central Planning Committee, this is our charge. It was agreed (small group again, but I have spoken with a few others on our committee) that we would begin as soon as possible to gather input. 1. Lisa Blazer is willing to conduct focus groups in the fall; 2. Mansour will send correspondence to members of the Faculty Senate (he and I also will communicate with the Staff Council); 3. we discussed using Surveymonkey.com software (at least three offices represented on our committee have used this technology); Also, it was agreed that the core values discussed at the 2016 Retreat are crucial to our work. Although we "voted" on the values at the 2016 Retreat (see tally below), a bona-fide core value identification process is not complete (should involve more individuals at the university), according to some (ie: "where is the value of service?"). And, we discussed the need for our committee to be aware of the efforts of other 2016 committees. Some of us also thought that the next academic year should be labeled "The Year of the Plan." (We'll share that at the Central Planning Committee meeting). Mansour and I will report back after the meeting next week, and we'll send out proposed times for an August meeting for our group. Thanks to all who have attended the meetings — or communicated via email, phone, Blackberry, etc. This is important work. Thanks! David Core Values Vote at the 2016 Retreat: Diversity 14 Collaboration 34 Respect 20 Inclusiveness 26 Innovation 24 Accountability 13 Integrity 51 Excellence 40 Minutes of June 30 Meeting (some may not have received these): Group.. Here is a list of notes & action items from last week's meeting: 1. The team selected Mansour El-Kikhia and me to serve as co-chairs. Thanks, Mansour, for agreeing to do this! 2. We felt that our team's charge was to (a) examine the current vision/mission & propose changes, if we felt changes were needed (we did); and (b) assist senior administrators in an ongoing, University-wide process of reviewing and updating the vision/mission statements; UTSA Vision: The University of Texas at San Antonio is creating the future of Texas by developing leaders for a multicultural society and by building innovative partnerships that will transform the economy of the region. UTSA Mission: The University of Texas at San Antonio is a premier public institution of higher education with a growing national and international reputation. Renowned as an institution of access and excellence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, UTSA is committed to research, discovery, learning, and public service. UTSA embraces the multicultural traditions of Texas, serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources, and is a catalyst for the economic development of Texas. (Note: Vision and Mission as listed in retreat notebook) 3. We all agreed to look for relevant samples of mission and vision statements. All are welcome to send samples to me, and I'll compile in one place. 4. We agreed that we need to review feedback from the Core Values Exercise (Café #6; May 18th). Carolyn Ellis sent this to all committee members yesterday; please let one of us know if you did not receive the document. 5. Two DRAFT mission statements were discussed at meeting: 1. The University of Texas at San Antonio embraces the multicultural traditions of San Antonio that serve as a foundation for our global perspective in our commitments to research and discovery, teaching and learning, creative pursuits and public service. 2. The University of Texas at San Antonio is committed to research and discovery, teaching and learning, creative pursuits, and public service. UTSA embraces the multicultural traditions of San Antonio that serves as a foundation for our global perspective. 6. We set the next meeting: Monday, July 17 at 2 p.m., in Denman Dining Room (JPL). |
September 5, 2006Present: Lisa Blazer, Mark Blizard, Lynda De La Vina, Rich Diem, Gerry Dizinno, Mansour El-Kikhia, Nora Evans, David Gabler, Albert Salgado Absent: Carolyn Ellis, Christian Porter, Patrick Valdez Agenda Item 1: Reviewing Values Discussed at May Retreat Discussion: Group discussed definition of values; and how they reflect UTSA 1. Values represent the core priorities in the organization's culture, including what drives members' priorities and how they truly act in the organization. 2. Team agreed to establish (DRAFT) four to six core values for UTSA. This was agreed by team members as to how we "would like members of the UTSA community to operate." Team considered values of students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community. Results of Core Values vote at May 19 retreat: Integrity 51 Excellence 40 Collaboration 34 Inclusiveness 26 Innovation 24 Respect 20 Diversity 14 Accountability 13 Team members propose following six values (Sept. 5): Integrity (includes accountability) Excellence Inclusiveness (includes diversity) Respect (includes dignity) Collaboration Innovation Conclusion: Team members discussed above-listed values, with general agreement that the individual words did not adequately reflect how values should be/are integrated into an academic community. As result, the team proposed a draft values statement for UTSA. DRAFT Values Statement: UTSA encourages an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered (or expected, encouraged, promoted, nurtured, valued,) Action items: 1. Continue values discussion at next meeting (Sept. 19). 2. Meet with Vision 2016 facilitators (Mansour and David) to discuss best method to incorporate discussion of team's work at September 22 Vision 2016 Retreat. Agenda Item 2: Developing a DRAFT Vision Statement for UTSA Discussion: Team agreed to use these two paragraphs as references during discussion of a vision statement: 1. A vision is a guiding image of success formed in terms of a contribution to society. If a strategic plan is the "blueprint" for an organization's work, then the vision is the "artist's rendering" of the achievement of that plan. It is a description in words that conjures up a similar picture for each member of the university of the destination of the group's work together. 2. A vision statement should be realistic and credible, well articulated and easily understood, appropriate, ambitious, and responsive to change. It should orient the university's energies and serve as a guide to action. It should be consistent with the university's values. In short, a vision should challenge and inspire members of the UTSA community to achieve its mission. And achievement of the plan should be measurable. Group discussed current Vision Statement: The University of Texas at San Antonio is creating the future of Texas by developing leaders for a multicultural society and by building innovative partnerships that will transform the economy of the region. NOTE: Consensus was easily reached that the existing vision statement did not adequately reflect UTSA at this time. Group discussed current Vision Statement:DRAFT Vision Statements (proposed Sept. 5): To become a premier public research university. To become a premier internationally recognized public research university. To become a nationally-/internationally-recognized research university (institution). To become a nationally and internationally recognized public university. To become a premier public research university advancing knowledge for the public good. (.through innovations in teaching and learning.) Conclusions: Team agreed that TO BECOME A PREMIER PUBLIC RESEARCH UNIVERSITY most accurately reflects the institution's vision at this time. Much discussion focused on the "nationally and internationally respected" phrase in two of the proposed statements. For instance, whose recognition are we waiting for to reach achievement of the vision? The general public's recognition? recognition from academies? recognition by other faculty?, governmental leaders? all the above?? And, how is recognition measured? To prepare for next Vision 2016 Retreat, team discussed ways best to communicate the process that led to the proposed Values Statement and Vision Statement. Agenda for Sept. 19: Team will review Values Statement and Vision Statement; discuss presentation of material to larger group (Sept. 22), discuss/plan involvement of additional stakeholders; Next meeting date: Tuesday, September 19 @ 3:30 p.m. in MB 4.106 Meeting on Mission Statement UTSA's current Mission Statement: The University of Texas at San Antonio is the premier public institution of higher education in South Texas, with a growing national and international reputation. Renowned as an institution of access and excellence at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, UTSA is committed to research and discovery, teaching and learning, and public service. UTSA embraces the multicultural traditions of South Texas, serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources, and is a catalyst for the economic development of Texas. Proposed "draft" Mission Statement (9-19-06): The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. UTSA embraces multicultural traditions, serving as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development - for Texas, the nation, and the world. Considerations of Vision/Mission Committee members: Not necessary to mention "national and international reputation" Similar sentiment for "renowned" Need reference to "civic engagement" Do we need to mention our "region?" no Committee eliminated "access," as group felt this was covered by both "public institution" and "catalyst for socioeconomic development" Did not need to mention "undergraduate" or "graduate" "economic development of Texas" is very limiting Current mission statement contains repetitive phrases Mission statement should not be explicitly tied to accountability measures (ie: those of THECB or UT System) Some items (ie: global education, etc.) will be covered by Strategic Plan, which will ensure what we are doing is aligned with our Mission, Values & Vision Guidelines used in refining UTSA's mission statement: Conveying the overall purpose of UTSA, a mission statement should say what our university is, what we do, what we stand for and why we do it. It should be three to four sentences long at the most. It should be clearly written - without jargon. The statement did not need to mention specific separate the mission of UTSA from other universities. |