Strategic Planning Process: Defining the present

Where are we now?
Internal and external review and analysis of the current conditions and environment of the institution give the University community the opportunity to reflect on the core factors that give the institution its vitality and on the factors that will shape the University's ability to move along the appropriate path into the future.

Positive Core
As part of its activities, the Strategic Planning Group created a shared view of the essence of Saint Louis University. By drawing on memory and compiling and organizing their individual stories, the Group identified the positive core of the University that must be carried into the future. It is this core that gives the University health and vitality and sustains an environment where creativity is fostered.

Environmental Influences
To gather perceptions on the complex and constantly changing external and internal trends that are having impact on the University in the present, the University engaged in several activities.

• SWOT Studies
  The University community was invited to offer their perceptions on SLU's current strengths and weaknesses and the opportunities and threats (SWOT) that may affect the University's future. The SWOT questionnaire was available online and on paper between October 5 and November 15, 2001. A total of 489 people responded to the questionnaire: 231 students, 138 faculty, 104 staff, and 16 administrators. Similar to the university-wide SWOT, colleges and schools conducted SWOT studies and environmental scans to collect information as they began their planning processes for program and services.
  

• External and Internal Scans
  Two committees (External Scan Committee and Internal Scan Committee) composed of faculty and staff were selected based on their expertise in the scan areas. Their charge was to scan the environment and report the factors currently affecting the University and the trends the members foresaw as bearing influence on the institution in the future. Internal scan categories included: undergraduate, graduate, professional, and medical school education; research; student life and support services; facilities; human resources; finances; and technology. External scan categories included: higher education, medical school education, research, demographics, economics, social issues, the Church, and technology.
  

• Map of Trends
  The Strategic Planning Group created a visual map that illustrated the complex and constantly changing external and internal trends that are having impact on the University in the present. These trends were then rated in terms of priority and examined in greater detail from the perspectives of small groups representing various parts of the University. Click here to see a photo of the mind map.