Let us collectively think about our future. Fifth, strategy making is a blend of rational and economic analysis, political maneuvering and psychological interplay. It is therefore participatory and highly tolerant of controversy. I have every confidence that a spirited analysis and debate will accompany our effort. But in the end, most importantly, strategic planning concentrates on the fate of the institution above everything else.
Strategic planning places the long term vitality and excellence of the university first.
Strategic planning is not a collection of departmental plans compiled and edited. Strategic planning is for the whole community and for its long term stature and excellence. A university is more than the aggregate of its parts. A strategic plan is something more than a list of individual wants and aspirations. We will be asking all of you to participate in the strategic planning process and our goal at the end of the process will be to have a clear understanding of how KU will preserve its status as the standard for quality in higher education in Kansas.