Environmental Scan Task Force

Minutes of February 22 Meeting

Environmental Scan Task Force
February 22, 2007
Meeting Notes

Jim Coleman shared a general philosophy in regard to our task -- we need to understand the order of magnitude of the impact and determine data needed to analyze each issue, and then fit that to strategic planning needs.

The discussion leaders reviewed the materials that were submitted in advance for the eight categories. Additional comments are shown below…

Economy
Within 10 years we will likely lose two major plants.
There will be increased pressure on retiree benefits.
Inequality is growing and parts of the populations are being left behind; low-income students percentage has gone down in the last five years.
Noted the unpredictability factor and the rapidity with which you have to react.
Consider adding demographic change in the U.S. (either here or in the population category).

Political
Noted access and affordability specifically as constraints on tuition increases.
Homogenized higher education.
Erosion of agriculture political base.
Culture wars.
Demographics.
Affirmative action.

Academic
(please see graphs from Pat Morton)
Increase in degrees of convenience.
Access issues include third-party payer, e.g. employers.
Note bachelor’s degrees are 1:3 business.
Are we a producer of persons going out into the economy OR producer of faculty members?
Are we competing with others in the state or should we think of MU as part of the whole?
Should we partner with community colleges, e.g., animal health, plant science?
Should we encourage cooperation and synergy even in competition? Are we happy with our position?
Note the wide spread of disciplines is quite different than other parts of the world.
MU competes with privates for faculty (also considered in work force and political categories).
MU competes with privates for scholarship funds.

Population Analysis
Don’t forget our local market.
As we compete in the on-line arena, keep in mind our place-based advantages.
Master’s degree is becoming a credential, no longer just an experience.
We don’t want to be competitive with something we don’t want to be.
For bean counters, can we afford to be that elite university? Number of students at what price?
We need to work with community colleges – A+ program having an impact.
We need to maintain life-long relationships.
Consider adding international programs/study abroad and gender as additional items for Missouri implications.

Work Force
Potential for unionization.
Student body as a source of work force.
More benefits for faculty and staff as opposed to salary increases.
Use large classrooms after hours with incentives to faculty.
What we are doing for the state (perhaps in economy section).
(Will share list from Mardy Eimers.)

Cultural/Social
There is a national anti-intellectual trend -- notably tied to income distribution.
Note H.B. 213 – intellectual “pluralism”.
Missouri is also mid south, pro labor, and urban.

Environmental Resource
Distributed expanded list from Peter Ashbrook.
Infrastructure, including utility/water issues for MU campus.
Environmental regulations.

Technology
(please see list from Dean Mills sent after the meeting)

Miscellaneous
Where do we consider infrastructure in general? Should we add a separate category for physical plant?
It was noted that there is a different learning atmosphere today, especially the sense of entitlement.
We need a process to get “MU good news” to the legislature.
Noted the structure of the University System.
The lists to date include mainly threats.

It was suggested that our final product include items that will inform strategic advantages discussions and strategic planning decisions. Contrary to previous discussions, the subcommittees will not meet in March. We will meet together as a group to brainstorm and narrow down the issues in each category. If the subcommittees would like to meet in advance of the next task force meeting, they might get a start on narrowing down the items and identifying themes. Vicki will poll the group for meeting times in the evening and Saturday mornings in March.