STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE

FOCUS GROUP SUMMARY

DATE:  April 5, 1999
TIME:  3:00 PM
PLACE:  CMU 208
FACILITATOR:  Nathan Davis
NOTE-TAKER:  Michelle Redepenning

STRATEGIC GOAL: TRANSITIONS

1.  Based upon any information you have, how would you assess Moorhead State's performance regarding the transition goal?
Dragon Days, FYE - good programs to continue.  Good start has been made assisting and retaining students.  Also, the supplemental instruction program has been very successful in helping freshman and sophmore students.

2.  How could transitions to MSU be improved?
Need to educate students in the University environment; tardiness- late test taking.  Need to emphasize academic/intellectual experience on campus.   Study/compare transition statistics at other universities nationally.

3.  What barriers exist for students in their transition to MSU?
Need more support services with transition issues.  Need to build the university community and a universal collegiate experience.  Need to keep off-campus students involved on campus.  Better assistance with international students is needed.

4.  How could MSU excel to a greater extent in terms of meeting the needs of students?
August advising
Programs in time management, studying for exams
Again, need to make students feel like they are part of their college community.
Needed equipment funds are not strategic in nature.

5.  How could MSU excel to a greater extent in terms of productive faculty and student interaction?
Community builders: have opening convocation on the first day of classes beginning with a parade to Nemzek.  Integrated plan to assist students read certain books and discuss cultural activities.

6.  How could MSU excel to a greater extent in terms of academic advising?
Establishing an advising center for undeclared majors.  Advice to faculty on how to be friendly to their advisees.  Revising advisor handbook.  Spread advising periods over a semester.  Liberal studies requirements should be re-examined.

7.  If you were to identify a new strategic goal for MSU, what would it be and why?
Create Community: Internally and externally
Getting students involved in events
More open forums between faculty and students

ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION NOTES

Bigger impression in regional community with faculty outreaches ie. commencement speeches at high schools.
Image and education should not be seen as opposite issues to PR and marketing.
Dealing with community will drive other issues.

Other questions raised:
How are we going to market MSU?
What are the driving forces behind our institution?
How to become more involved in the lives of our students?

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