RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVING THE FIVE PRIORITIES AND ASSOCIATED GOALS OF THE COLLEGE’S STRATEGIC PLAN,
BECOMING LAFAYETTE: A VISION FOR OUR THIRD CENTURY
WHEREAS, in January 2023, in recognition of the fact that almost 15 years had passed since the College embarked on a strategic planning process that engaged the entire community, the College launched a comprehensive, campus-wide strategic planning process with the aim of building on the strong foundations of Lafayette’s liberal arts mission and accomplishments and moving the College forward into its third century with clarity and confidence;
WHEREAS, in March 2023, the Strategic Planning Steering Committee was formed in order to guide the strategic planning process;
WHEREAS, since its creation, the Strategic Planning Steering Committee has undertaken a series of actions to ensure its work has embraced the principles of academic excellence, shared governance, inclusivity, and iteration, moderated discussions for faculty, staff, students, alumni, trustees, parents, and community members, and collected qualitative data from listening sessions through online surveys;
WHEREAS, consistent with the embrace of the principles of academic excellence, shared governance, inclusivity, and iteration, more than 2,000 people completed online surveys; more than 700 people participated in discussion forums, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni; peer and aspirant school benchmarking was conducted; and more than 10% of the College’s faculty and staff were involved in five campus-wide working groups, including over 30 faculty members;
WHEREAS, the work of the Strategic Planning Steering Committee and the campus-wide working groups has culminated in priorities and goals being released to the community in September 2024 and presented in open listening sessions and on-line for debate and discussion over several weeks;
WHEREAS, from those listening sessions and comments, the priorities and goals were revised and a draft narrative for the College’s Strategic Plan, entitled Becoming Lafayette: A Vision for Our Third Century, was released to the College community in November 2024;
WHEREAS, following release of the draft narrative and further revisions based on invited feedback, all members of the College community, including students, staff, alumni, and faculty, were invited to endorse the five priorities and associated goals of the Strategic Plan;
WHEREAS, the Student Government endorsed the five priorities and associated goals of the Strategic Plan unanimously;
WHEREAS, the Alumni Association Board and its four regional Councils endorsed the five priorities and associated goals of the Strategic Plan unanimously;
WHEREAS, the staff endorsed the five priorities and associated goals of the Strategic Plan 244-3;
WHEREAS, the faculty vote on the motion to endorse the five priorities and associated goals of the Strategic Plan ended with a split vote of 66 to 73, with 12 abstentions;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees is confident that the issues raised by faculty immediately prior to its vote can and will be addressed during the implementation of the Strategic Plan in a process that will respect Lafayette’s tradition of shared governance;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees commends the President, the Strategic Planning Steering Committee, campus-wide working groups, and the Feasibility and Implementation Committee for all their contributions to the strategic planning process;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees also commends all members of the College community who participated in and contributed to the strategic planning process with their thoughtful comments and ideas;
WHEREAS, the Charter and Statutes of the College charge the Board of Trustees with the “management, direction and government” of the College;
WHEREAS the strength of ambition articulated by the Strategic Plan and the vision captured therein give the Board of Trustees confidence in the Strategic Plan’s ability to drive the comprehensive campaign currently underway;
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees has reviewed and determined that the five priorities and associated goals of the Strategic Plan will build upon the strong foundations of the College’s liberal arts mission, academic excellence, and accomplishments as it enters its third century and will commit Lafayette to be one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY:
RESOLVED, that the five priorities and associated goals of the Strategic Plan, Becoming Lafayette: A Vision for Our Third Century, are approved; and it is further
RESOLVED, that the President and Administration of the College are authorized and directed to take all appropriate actions necessary to implement the Strategic Plan in a manner consistent with the principles of academic excellence, shared governance, inclusivity, and iteration; and it is further
RESOLVED, that the President, Administration and entire College community shall have the full and enthusiastic support of the Board of Trustees in implementing the Strategic Plan.