SIUE has a long history of planning, although it has not previously adopted a formal “strategic plan.” In 2001, SIUE joined the Academic Quality Improvement Project (AQIP) of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. One of SIUE’s four AQIP action projects is to develop a comprehensive strategic plan.
SIUE began the AQIP strategic planning process in spring 2001, bringing together over 80 members of the SIUE community—faculty, staff, students, administrators, alumni, and Foundation Board members. The work of this group continued into early 2002, reviewing and revising SIUE’ s statements on values, vision, mission, diversity, and its long-term goals. These revised statements were shared with the larger community through open hearings in Alton, East St. Louis, and Edwardsville. The SIU Board of Trustees approved a revised mission statement for SIUE at its February 2002 meeting.
SIUE operates in the larger context of higher education in Illinois as reflected by the policies and priorities of the Illinois Higher Board of Education (IBHE). Likewise, SIUE operates within the context of SIU and the policies, priorities, and goals established by the Office of the President and the Board of Trustees. This document combines components from the IBHE, SIU, and SIUE to provide the context for a strategic plan for SIUE.
An SIUE strategic plan, like any other, will need to be reexamined and modified periodically. Accordingly, this plan includes a timetable for periodic review.
The plan assumes steady enrollment, that there will be new State resources available over time, and that there will be no radical mission shift.