SPECIAL MEETING OF EMPLOYEE COUNCIL – May 2, 2000

TOPICS DISCUSSED

 
UNIVERSITY's SWOT

The Employee Council met for a special meeting to discuss the University Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats that were listed on a memorandum from the Strategic Planning Committee, dated 4/24/00. After discussion, council members voted for their top five Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. The following five strengths were selected by Employee Council members (in priority order):

1. Beautiful and comfortable campus and living environment; safe
2. Small class size
3. Size -- big enough to offer a diverse curriculum, but small enough not to get lost in
4. Good computer technology infrastructure
5. State of the art facilities in Science facility and Black Hall The following five weaknesses were selected by Employee Council members (in priority order): 1. Ineffective delivery of student support services (financial aide, student advising, and academic skills)

2. Insufficient resources (operating and capital) and inconsistent funding of areas/departments

3. Building utilization particularly during the off hours and offering programs when desired (night and weekend classes/programs)

4. Administrative structure, size, and cost are excessive and poorly structured

5. Inefficient decision-making, planning, and systems thinking; inconsistent application of policies; and inability to foresee consequences.

 The following five opportunities were selected by Employee Council members (in priority order): 1. Recognition for selected high quality programs (academic programs, CHCI, & SOURCE)

2. Market CWU through outreach program such as conference center activities, hosted camps, and special programming

3. New president -- give us a new image

4. Use of connectivity for recruiting, advising, meetings (establishing our Internet site for one-stop shopping, i.e., admission to university, apply for financial aide, register for classes, contact advisor via e-mail, etc.)

5. Statewide/consortial degree programs

 The following five threats were selected by Employee Council members (in priority order): 1. Enrollment instability and retention

2. Reduced state funding and increasing operating costs

3. Successful competitors for students (other schools & healthy job market)

4. Development of certificate program particularly in the Puget Sound area and Increasing perception that broad liberal arts is not viable

5. Lack of strong champions anywhere in political arena

 ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.

NEXT REGULAR MEETING

The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 18th SUB 209. All representatives need to attend, alternates are always welcome. If you are a representative and cannot make the meeting be sure to let your alternate know so that they will attend.

Present:

Paula Moffatt, Business & Admin Support: Unit B
Marilyn Thompson, Housing & Residential Services
Kariann Taylor, Instructional Support: Unit A; Chairperson
Leona Johnson, Library Services; Secretary
Ann Arango, Library Services
Dorothy Tenney, Plant & Facilities
Ginger Linnell, Enrollment Management & Marketing
Carola Alden, Student Services & SUB