Approvals:
11/28/05
USF-SM Campus Board

2/20/06 ACE Work Group

3/2/06
USF Board of Trustees

THE FRAMEWORK IN WHICH STRATEGIC PLANNING OCCURS

The Mission Statement, adopted in January of 2002, is the document guiding strategic planning.  It identifies the Sarasota-Manatee campus as a part of a major research university with a mission of providing high-quality upper division, graduate and continuing professional education to the citizens of the greater Sarasota-Manatee region.  It affirms a commitment to faculty career development commensurate with the University’s research mission and a commitment to service that advances the cultural, social and economic well-being of our communities.  This mission statement is congruent with the mission statement of the University of South Florida.

Strategic planning at the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus must also be accomplished within a larger university system and fit local goals into the larger institutional frameworks of which the regional campus is a part.  These agencies, structure and procedures include:

Florida Board of Governors (BOG): The BOG has a strategic planning committee that commenced operation in November of 2004.  The BOG has specific interests in geographic access, degree production and targeted degree, and the cost per degree.  The conclusions reached in the BOG Strategic Planning Committee’s deliberations will have an impact on all institutions in the State University System.  Specific accountability measures of interest to the BOG are: highest student achievement, seamless articulation and maximum access, skilled workforce and economic development, and quality, efficient services.

The University of South Florida System (USF System): In March of 2005, the University of South Florida was designated a “university system,” which is defined as “an evolving multi-campus system of higher education with fiscally autonomous yet complementary campuses in Tampa (including the USF Health Sciences Center), St. Petersburg, Sarasota/Manatee and Lakeland.”  The shape of the new USF system in terms of bylaws and operating procedures is currently being defined by the Office of the President.

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS): The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) governs all issues of accreditation.  The USF Sarasota-Manatee campus is legislatively charged to seek separate accreditation.  This will involve issues of readiness.  To begin to meet SACS’ requirements, the Sarasota-Manatee campus will need to demonstrate it has matured in the twelve (12) core competencies in terms of academic programs and support services.

The 2 + 2 Partnership with Manatee Community College (MCC): USF-SM and MCC have enjoyed a strong relationship in the Suncoast educational service region. Over the years, about 70% of MCC graduates who go on for their bachelor’s degrees choose to attend the University of South Florida. Recently, MCC and USF Sarasota-Manatee partnered to offer 2 + 2 programs, consisting of two years of course work at MCC for the associate’s degree and two years at USF Sarasota-Manatee for the bachelor’s degree. This seamless system to allow students to complete both degrees in our region was jointly developed by the two institutions to draw on the local institutional strengths of convenience and national reputation.  This partnership allows both institutions to collaborate in educating the regional population without competing with each other for students and programs. It can also save students time and money in reaching their educational goals without having to leave the region. In addition, MCC shares its Venice Campus with USF-SM for courses at our South County site.

Inter-Campus Academic Regulations (ICAR): Developed over a two-year period and finalized in January of 2005, these regulations are designed to achieve uniformity in academic procedures and processes among the Tampa, Sarasota-Manatee and Lakeland campuses.  The procedures deal with presentation of academic programs, hiring and credentialing of adjunct faculty, and the hiring, granting of tenure and promoting of full-time faculty.  Perhaps most significantly for faculty, the document is explicit on issues of providing support for faculty in order that they can conduct research agendas consistent with expectations at a Carnegie classified doctoral extensive research university. 

 Professional Accrediting Agencies: Many disciplines have their own specialized accrediting bodies that provide the guidelines for the development, staffing and presentation of academic programs.  Currently, the Sarasota-Manatee campus needs to be responsive to the accreditation requirements of: the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

The Florida Legislative Mandate of 2001 (S.B. 1162, 2001 Florida Statute 240.5275, Recodified: 2002 Florida Statute 1002.34): In 2001, the Florida Legislature mandated the Sarasota-Manatee regional campus to seek separate accreditation using the SACS guidelines.  The legislature has provided funds to support program development with that ultimate goal in mind.  The University notified SACS in July 2002 that the process was being initiated with no end date specified.

Continuing Relationship with New College of Florida (NCF): The existence of a Memorandum of Agreement and a special Memorandum of Agreement regarding the Cook Library ensures that USF Sarasota-Manatee and New College of Florida will engage in a collaborative relationship for the long-term future.  This relationship requires attention and constant oversight.

Financial Considerations in Strategic Planning: Finally, the strategic planning process must account for the financial resource base that is likely to be available from state funding, tuition revenue, grant income, and discretionary giving from private sources.

The strategic plan of the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus is consistent with all of these conditions, variables, and obligations.