Voices of the Strategic Process

The word university is derived from the Latin universitas magistrorum et scholarium, roughly meaning “community of teachers and scholars.”

We all have our own ideas about how the world should be. It is the sharing of these diverse opinions and beliefs that creates strength in unity.

A university, as the Latin reminds us, is a community of idea sharing between the learned and the learning, and it is together that we must construct a plan for the future of NC State.

We now find ourselves well on the way to seeing the strategic planning process take effect. The first Chancellor’s forum was held, we’ve formed the nine task forces and they’ve begun to meet, and we had our first administrative leadership meeting. As the conversation continues about the future of NC State, I encourage and invite everyone to make his or her voice heard.

Each task force is currently engaging the campus community as they prepare their recommendations for the strategic planning committee. This process is to be an open and engaging discussion that actively seeks to holistically improve the university. This can only be accomplished by widespread involvement that accurately represents our diverse community.

NC State is moving fast. Our nation’s economy isn’t. The strategic plan will allow us to focus on our top priority, ensuring the success of NC State students, while steering the university not only through the economically troubled waters of today, but at a faster pace toward an innovative vision of tomorrow. The current economic climate paves the way for a problem-solving institution like NC State to emerge as one of the top universities in America, if the proper foresight can be had now.

Our new strategic plan will set the course for how we make decisions and invest resources. To ensure accountability, we will establish clearly articulated, measurable benchmarks and goals. Throughout this process, it is imperative that each voice be heard. Each organization with a vested interest in the future success of NC State must be engaged in this process.

Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend the upcoming Chancellor’s Budget Forum, the Chancellor’s Installation and the Strategic Planning Town Hall Meeting. Each of these gatherings will help clarify the strategic planning process and allow individuals the opportunity to share their own ideas about the future. I welcome and encourage all to make use of the online feedback form found on the strategic plan Web site, or to let me know what you’re thinking through the Ask the Chancellor link on this page.

I’m looking forward to hearing what each of you has to share.

Go Pack!

Randy Woodson
Chancellor
NC State University