DSU to Hold Open Forum for New Plan Development

DSU to Hold Open Forum for New Plan Development

Thursday, February 26th, 2015 As Dixie State University continues work toward creating a new strategic plan, the institution will host its third open forum to give all university stakeholders an update on the progress made since the last open forum in early February. The forum will be held in the DSU Gardner Center Ballroom on Wednesday, March 4, from 2-4 p.m. The session is free and open for all to attend. Dixie State has also provided a way for individuals who are unable to attend any of the public sessions the ability to participate in the process and provide comments or ideas online. All stakeholders are invited to visit www.utahtech.edu/strategicplanning for more information and to provide feedback. Dixie State held previous public forum meetings in December and January, which included several internal campus meetings and a community town hall event. After receiving input from many stakeholder groups, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, business and community leaders, the institution's strategic planning committees have been working to sort and categorize all the information gathered from those meetings. Campus strategic planning subcommittees completed work on drafts of mission, vision and value statements, as well as lists of short and long-term goals and broad objectives, based on the information provided. Wednesday's forum represents the point at which all the committees begin to transition from broad objectives to specific actions. DSU President Dr. Richard B. Williams announced plans for the creation of a new strategic plan during his Inauguration address this past Oct. 23, noting that the plan would serve as the future foundation of the university. During his address, Williams invited all university stakeholders to help create a "plan that will put Dixie State University on the map." DSU has partnered with Penson Associates, Inc., a research and consultation firm with experience in higher education strategic planning, to assist the institution throughout this process. President Williams noted late last year that the planning process would be very collaborative and transparent. One more public meeting is slated to take place in April. The process is anticipated to be completed and ready for implementation by July 1, 2015.