New University Plan raises questions at BFC

IU is moving forward with plans for the organization of the University Strategic Plan. When finished, it will outline goals for IU-Bloomington and its seven satellite campuses.

“(IU President Michael McRobbie) wants a plan to be made because IU has a multi-campus system,” said Michael Rushton, director of strategic planning.

The plan will be compiled from the Bloomington campus plan, the Indianapolis plan and the regional campus plans as well as other individual departments, said John Applegate, executive vice president for university academic affairs.

“What I expect is that it’ll be an integrated whole that really positions us in a direction for the bicentennial,” Applegate said.

It’s unclear as to how this new plan will affect the Campus Strategic Plan, and if the Strategic Plan will have to be changed after the University Plan is finished.

“It’s a little too early to say, but I would not expect huge changes in the Bloomington campus plan,” John Applegate said.

Some of IU’s faculty have concerns that the Campus Strategic Plan will become obsolete.

“I think that their concern, basically, is what would happen if something in the University Strategic Plan is ultimately not compatible with parts of the Bloomington, or any other campus, strategic plan,” said Herb Terry, president of the Bloomington Faculty Council.

Terry said he doesn’t think that’s likely to happen.

“What I really hope the University Strategic Plan emphasizes is: what is the president going to be doing that falls under his authority?” Terry said.

Applegate said he thinks the Strategic Plan will be very important input into the University Plan.

“We’ve had a couple informal brainstorming sessions with various faculty groups about it,” Applegate said.

There will not be a committee system to put together the University Strategic Plan. Instead, there will be a draft made for public comment in the fall, Rushton said.

“I don’t think it’s the president’s intent to come up with something that’ll upset the campuses,” Terry said. “The campuses do the work.”

Follow reporter Kathrine Schulze on Twitter @KathrineSchulze.