illlinois state university

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

Why is planning important?

What are the goals of Educating Illinois and how were they developed?
What is the relationship between Educating Illinois and other strategic planning documents?
Who makes the final decisions regarding implementation of Educating Illinois?
How is Educating Illinois funded?
How will Educating Illinois influence budget decisions?
How does Educating Illinois affect me or my unit?
How has planning made a difference?

 

Why is planning important?

Planning allows the University to chart its course for the future. Through focused strategic planning, the University considers its internal and external challenges as well as its opportunities. The planning processes lead to the development of a plan that identifies priorities for the University and that guides resource allocations and activities.

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What are the goals of Educating Illinois and how were they developed?

The five goals of Educating Illinois are that Illinois State will:

  • Position students to excel in a globally competitive, culturally diverse, technological, and changing environment
  • Demonstrate excellence in scholarship, teaching, and learning at the undergraduate and graduate levels
  • Enhance student, faculty, staff, alumni, and community pride in, and allegiance to, the university

  • Be accountable and fiscally responsible to internal and external stakeholders
  • Promote a healthy, safe, and environmentally sustainable campus

The goals were informed by the Board of Trustees' Vision Statement 2014, input from the University community and an environmental scan. The goals reflect extensive consultation from the University, and have been endorsed by all of the University shared governance constituencies.

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What is the relationship between Educating Illinois and other strategic planning documents?

Educating Illinois serves as the foundation for University planning. The University's strategic plans, Educating Illinois, The Master Plan, Affirmative Action Plan, Information Technology Strategic Plan, and the Academic Plan reflect Illinois State University's vision, values, goals, and highest priorities. The plans are inter-related and build upon one another to further elaborate and advance the University's goals.

IIllustration of planning activities at the University (pdf)

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Who makes the final decisions regarding implementation of Educating Illinois?

Educating Illinois is a product of the University's shared governance system. Implementation is the shared responsibility of all members of the campus community. The plan identifies goals and strategies; individual divisions, offices, and units will identify the actions and activities necessary to carry-out the plan's goals and strategies. Individual efforts by university faculty and staff to focus efforts, dedicate resources, and evaluate results are key to sustained progress.

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How is Educating Illinois funded?

Educating Illinois requires multiple sources of funding. Some priorities will be accomplished by continuing current activities and initiatives. Others will require resource reallocations and the dedication of new resources and/or creativet financing strategies.

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How will Educating Illinois influence budget decisions?

Educating Illinois articulates the goals and priorities of Illinois State University. Budgeting follows these priorities through the allocation of resources to high priority activities and initiatives.

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How does Educating Illinois affect me or my unit?

Implementing the vision of Educating Illinois is a shared responsibility of all members of the campus community. Every area of campus is charged with focusing its priorities to ensure that they align with the priorities outlined in Educating Illinois.

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How has planning made a difference?

Since implementing Educating Illinois in spring 2001, the University has celebrated numerous accomplishments. Here is just a sample:

  • moving faculty and staff salaries closer towards peer group comparisons at other institutions
  • placing in Kiplinger's Personal Finance's top 100 universities rankings for academic quality and value
  • increasing the mean ACT score of first-time freshmen
  • achieving historically high student retention and graduation rates
  • increasing the dollar value for external grants and contracts
  • completing the University's first comprehensive campaign, Redefining "normal" and surpassing the $88 million goal by $8 million
  • doubling the value of Minority Academic Scholarships and enhancing the value of Presidential Scholarships
  • opening the Student Service and Referral Center, Minority Student Academic Center, TechZone, Faculty Staff Commons, and Strength and Conditioning Center in Redbird Arena
  • celebrating the University’s first four endowed chair positions
  • opening the College of Business Building; completing renovations of Schroeder Hall, Wilkins, Haynie, and Wright residence hall, and Linkins dining center
  • awarding of re-accreditation in July 2005 by the North Central Association Higher Learning Commission
  • participating in the American Democracy Project

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