When Colorado State University was founded in the 1870s, the people who worked and studied here had a vision of what the institution would become. These founders, and their successors, imagined what Colorado State could be and planted the seeds of what the University is today.
The University has thrived from the foundation they laid. Now, the CSU community is invited to build a new foundation for the century ahead. Share your ideas here.
As Colorado State prepares to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2020, faculty, staff and students are at the center of a University-wide process – Re-Envision Colorado State. Re-Envision Colorado State is designed to supplement institutional strategic planning and look beyond facts and figures to re-envision what the university can be and how it will continue to thrive for the next century and a half.
Supported by the university’s highly regarded Center for Public Deliberation, CSU’s faculty, staff, and student leadership will engage the entire campus in a yearlong process to ask larger questions about what kind of institution those who work and study here would like to see in the decades to come.
“We want everyone on campus and in our extended CSU family to share their ideas – large and small – on how to make the university better, more responsive, and more engaged in all that we do,” Faculty Council Chair Mary Stromberger said. “To help, we’re planning a series of campus conversations, speakers, and listening sessions, and have created a simple, electronic suggestion box so everyone has the opportunity to be part of the discussion.”
Launched at Fall Address
The Re-Envision CSU process was launched by President Frank in his 2015 Fall Address to the University, and will be led by CSU Faculty Council, Classified Personnel Council, Administrative Professional Council, and ASCSU. This leadership team has engaged the Center for Public Deliberation to help guide the campus discussion and solicit ideas and opinions over the coming months.
In forming the group, President Frank challenged the campus to look at its geography, culture, environment, practices, and assumptions and consider potential changes and approaches that would elevate the university and benefit future generations.
This Re-Envision process builds on the cornerstones of CSU strategic planning:
• teaching and learning that is student-centric;
• research and discovery with a global impact;
• engagement and outreach that change lives locally and across the world;
• a strong, inclusive campus culture;
• people as our foundation;
• a commitment to be accountable, sustainable, and responsible.
These are the “stars by which we navigate,” Frank said, “but there is more than one course we can set by those stars.” The purpose of Re-Envision is to chart an innovative and forward-looking path that capitalizes on strengths and opportunities and upholds the university’s commitment to excellence in all areas.
“This isn’t a top-down process,” APC Chair Toni-Lee Viney said. “All of us at CSU have an equal stake, and we are reaching out to all members of our campus community to help create the vision for the CSU of tomorrow.”
“Faculty, staff and students may not always see how their own daily work connects to the strategic vision and plan for the university,” said CPC Chair Stacey Baumgarn. “Our goal is to tap into what all of us see as we go about our work and to learn from that. What are the big ideas that aren’t being heard? How can we leverage our strengths and take advantage of emerging opportunities? What does the future look like and how will CSU continue to have an impact?”
“As students, we are the future – and we have a responsibility to help shape the future we want,” said ASCSU President Jason Sydoriak. “We hope that students across campus will step up and participate in Re-Envision CSU.”
Three phases
The Re-Envision exercise will take place in three phases:
• Phase One: Discovery and Listening – Now through September 2016
• Phase Two: Reflection, Analysis, Prioritization – September through November 2016
• Phase Three: Planning, Budgeting and Implementation – November 2016 and Beyond
Re-Envision ideas can be submitted online. Watch SOURCE for announcements of upcoming Re-Envision speakers and listening sessions.
