UNION COLLEGE’S UNION COLLEGE’S A SUMMARYOFTHE2013STRATEGIC PLAN 2013 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES www.union.edu

and international from beyond New York andtheNortheast andhave increased theethnic,racial and technologically complex world. institutions inthenation and qualityofapplicants. Ouroverlap colleges are amongthemost competitive For more thanadecade, Unionhasenjoyed significant increases inthenumber activities, contributions through community-based learning projects andresearch inquiry between academics andsociallife. Andit’s inthewaywe act:making knowledge withinandacross disciplines;andtheintertwining ofintellectual in atightly-knit scholarly community; thedistinctive waysinwhichwe connect communication. It’s intheconnections we offer: theinteractions thattake place to buildstudent proficiency inessential skillssuchascritical thinkingand liberal arts:through ourinnovative curriculumthatblends thoughtandaction The UnionCollege experience goeseven further. Itincludeshow we thinkabout emerging area. education, andthe College iscommitted to keeping pace withchangesinthis supports awiderange ofapproaches to integrating technology into aUnion service andcommunity-based learning projects, andathletics. Ourinfrastructure of ourvibrant campus life, ranging from clubsandcampus organizations to and international programs. Outsidetheclassroom, students take fulladvantage engage inundergraduate research andscholarship, andinpremier off-campus to scholarly activities.We alsoprovide excellent opportunitiesfor students to by dedicated faculty; close student-faculty interactions; andfaculty commitment programs intheliberal artsand—distinctively—engineering; high-qualityteaching In theacademic arena, we offer abroad array ofdisciplinaryandinterdisciplinary AS AHIGHLY SELECTIVE LIBERALARTSCOLLEGE. THE 2013STRATEGIC PLANBUILDSONUNIONCOLLEGE’SSTRENGTHS 2013 legacy andstrength oftheCollege andserves asthevehicle for moving us for STRATEGICchange theworld. Thiscollective visionoftheUnioncommunity represents the place where students continue to makeit is,andwhatwillbe—a connections that The 2013Strategic Planreaffirms the core values thatmake UnionCollege what PLAN and bypreparing students to c diversity ofourstudent body. . We have madesignificant strides inattracting students ontribute andwork inadiverse, global

ward.

2013 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES www.union.edu

for allphasesoftherevision oftheplan.Duringwinter andspring201 on therevision process andtimeline.Communitymembers offered suggestions the campus ofthe intention to revise theStrategic Planandinvited comments In January2012,theseniorstaff heldaUnioncommunity meetingto inform College offices aboutthegoalof revising the existing planaffirmedin2007. Executive Committee, departmentchairs anddirectors ofprograms and 2011 term withinitialconversations amongtheseniorstaff, theFaculty The first phaseoftheStrategic Plan revision process beganduringthe fall THE PLANNINGPROCESS provides thecontext withinwhichwe willcarry outour2013Strategic Plan. and emerging learning technologies. Itisthisenvironmental scan that trends, suchasglobalization, sustainability, accountability and campus safety; The environmental scan highlighted demographic changes;highereducation in whichwe operate and how itislikely to changeincoming decades. In thecourse ofrevising ourStrategic Plan,we examined theenvironment OUR EXTERNALENVIRONMENT Plan for UnionCollege wasaffirmedbytheBoard of Trustees inMay. and PrioritiesGroup alsoreviewed theplaninMarch. The2013Strategic Trustees reviewed adraft oftheplanatitsFebruary meeting.ThePlanning suggestions andlanguagechangesthroughout theplan.TheBoard of meetings were heldinJanuary andFebruary 2013,whichresulted in was circulated to theCollege community. Subsequently, seven community 2007 Strategic Plan.InDecember 2012,adraft oftherevised Strategic Plan staff andadministrators were formed to review andrevise sectionsofthe During fall 2012,Strategic Planwritinggroups composed offaculty, retreat, whichfocused ontheStrategic Planprocess. in the2007planwere developed. InJune2012,theBoard ofTrustees helda terms, anenvironmental scan andagapanalysis ofthe32strategic elements

2

2013 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES www.union.edu WHAT’S NEW: 2013 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES KEY STRENGTHS: MORE SPECIFICALLY ONTHREE ON OUR2007EFFORTS BYFOCUSING TO THISEND,THEPLANBUILDS COMPLEX SOCIETY. GLOBAL ANDTECHNOLOGICALLY AN INCREASINGLY DIVERSE, ETHICAL CONTRIBUTORS TO BE ENGAGED, INNOVATIVE AND WHICH EDUCATES STUDENTSTO AS ASCHOLARLY COMMUNITY, FURTHER UNION’SMISSION THE 2013STRATEGIC PLANWILL OF THECLASSROOM. CONNECTIONS, BOTH INANDOUT REGIONALLY ANDGLOBALLY. SOCIALLY, ASWELLLOCALLY, TAKE ACTION, ACADEMICALLY AND AND PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIESTO AND STRATEGICALLY INALLAREAS. ACULTURE THAT ENCOURAGES THEWAY INWHICHWEMAKE OURABILITYTO THINKBROADLY

DIFFERENTIATORS FOUNDATIONS provide aclear andcompelling pathto ensure thatUnionremains thecollege ofchoice for highly qualified students, faculty and staff. the College’s scholarly community. Just aswe didin2007,we have divided theplaninto foundational elements anddifferentiators that make theCollege adistinctive andcontinually improving institution. Itsimplementation willboost Union’s academic reputation andenhance The 2013Strategic Planfor UnionCollege represents thecollective visionoftheUnioncommunity inhow to best buildonourstrengths to residence halls. classrooms, laboratory buildingsand Creates more learning spaces in full-time tenure-track faculty. interaction between students and providing opportunitiesfor close Makes arenewed commitment to that are ofsignificance to humanity. addressing thekindsofquestions curriculum indeveloping skillsfor Engages students throughout the them to make intheworld. for thecontributions thatwe expect curriculum inorder to prepare students Union provides adeepandbroad Focuses explicitly onensuringthat THE 2013STRATEGIC PLAN: Highlights ofthe2013Strategic Plancan beviewed through thelens ofthree essential components ofaUnionCollege education: theabilityto think,connect andact.

A DISTINCTIVE PAST CONNECTED TO ANINNOVATIVE ANDCREATIVE FUTURE INTEGRATIVE THOUGHTAND ACTION FOR THE21 AN ACADEMIC VILLAGE THAT REFLECTS THE DIVERSITYOFTHEWORLD SUSTAINABLE STEWARDSHIP OFRESOURCES THE LEARNINGENVIRONMENT ACADEMIC QUALITY THINK

to guideourfuture. Draws from thestrengths ofourpast careers andbeyond. meaningful plansfor theircollege Equips students to make personally throughout thecurriculum. that combines boththeoryandpractice Provides aneducational experience mind, bodyandspirit. ensure ahealthybalance among wellness ofthe“whole” person to Encourages UnionCollege to promote students’ extracurricular education. active learning component into Focuses ontheintegration ofan not replace it. enhance faculty-student interaction, environment inwaysthatwill can beincorporated into thecampus Explores how emerging technologies THE 2013STRATEGIC PLAN:

CONNECT ST CENTURY

understanding. action, andhow they relate to global understand thevalue oflocal study and offerings ofourlocation to helpstudents Strengthens therole oftherich applies itto allofourresources. Defines sustainability broadly and inside andoutsidetheclassroom. Incorporates socialresponsibility both THE 2013STRATEGIC PLAN: contributions to humanity. they can continue to make important supporting students andfaculty so Creates andsustains new waysof ACT

2013 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES www.union.edu FOUNDATIONS

ACADEMIC QUALITY F1.2: Sustain a broad and deep F1.6: Continue to develop the Minerva curriculum that provides an exceptional House system as an integrative and FOUNDATION 1 education for students. The curriculum will innovative learning experience for students. evolve to reflect new developments while F1.7: Continue to recruit students What we’re going to do: maintaining the highest academic quality who value strong academic programs in all programs. We will use emerging We will attract diverse, talented, and can contribute across all of our technologies in ways that support our accomplished and creative students, departments to a culturally rich, diverse academic programs. faculty and staff. and dynamic college experience. We will ensure that our students F1.3: Engage students in innovative graduate with deep and broad knowledge. and creative projects that contribute THE LEARNING to the broader intellectual community. We will offer students opportunities that We will facilitate student and student- ENVIRONMENT will allow them to graduate with excellent faculty collaboration and integrate critical thinking and communication skills; FOUNDATION 2 undergraduate research and creative the ability to work independently and projects throughout the curriculum. collaboratively; strong technological and What we’re going to do: visual expertise; the ability to discover F1.4: Set high expectations for Design our residential communities in and create an appreciation for a culturally students in all academic programs, ways that enhance and support intellectual diverse world; and a strong ethical using clear and consistently communicated engagement. understanding and basis for action. standards, including the academic Develop our students’ ability to succeed honor code. Students, faculty and staff will contribute in a complex, multicultural world by to the improvement of the human condition, F1.5: Ensure that Union’s facilities improving their cultural competencies. both locally and globally. support our academic programs Offer a range of co-curricular programs by creating innovative and energy- How we are going to do it: that will help students develop a sense of efficient new and renovated space. F1.1: Attract, support and retain their “whole” person. a high-quality, diverse faculty committed to outstanding teaching and scholarship, and our mission as a residential college. How we areHow we goingto doit: with theacademic mission will develop programming thatisintegrated to Unionasawhole. to thinkbroadly abouttheircontributions We willencourage Greek organizations perfect Union.” student accountability infostering a“more defined modelsofgovernance to increase of leadership activities.We will useclearly and helpstudents understand thevalue civic engagementprograms andservice, of theircommunity. Unionwillexpand students themselves definethe standards campus, we willpromote theideathat with individualGreek intellectually engagedbehavior. Working sets astandard for civil,open-mindedand intellectual life. for socializing,studying andinformal continue to useMinervas asa“third space” multi-purpose diningspaces. We willalso ments andasenseofcommunity through halls to create optimallearning environ- communities. We willrenovate residence spaces thatencourage student learning

F2.3: F2.2: F2.1: Beginningintheirfirst year on Ensure thatGreek life atUnion Develop well-maintained organizations, we of theCollege.

What we’re goingto do: FOUNDATION 3 RESOURCES STEWARDSHIP OF SUSTAINABLE How we areHow we goingto doit: of UnionCollege. resources to benefitandsecure thefuture represented withinourcommunity. identities, perspectives andvalues plishments to awide range ofaudiences. opportunities to showcase theiraccom- and provide itspeople andprograms by publicizingitsinstitutional qualities and spiritbalance. as awayto establish ahealthymind,body promoting wellness ofthe”whole” person Athletics, Unionwilldevelop aprogram for Human Resources andtheDepartment of among theWicker Wellness Center, diversity andtherichspectrumof that promotes collective responsibility for

We willmaximizeandsustain all ofour

F2.5: F2.4: F3.1: Enhance Union’s reputation Usinganintegrated approach Nurture acampus environment

decision-making. management, budgetingandinstitutional process bylinkingplanning,time- beyond tuition. of cost andenhancements ofourrevenues daily operations. runs throughout ourcurriculumand sustainability isacommon thread that footprint bycreating aculture inwhich efficient facilities and infrastructure. position through dependency andenhance ourfinancial use oftimeandtalent. which allows for anefficientandeffective dedicated anddiverse workforce, and attracts andretains ahighly talented, recognition to theCollege. Union’s strengths andbringattention and These efforts willboost awareness of

F3.6: F3.5: F3.4: F3.3: F3.2: Reduce Union’s environmental Invest insustainable and Facilitate theassessment We willstabilize ourtuition Foster anenvironment that new initiatives, mindfulness

2013 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES www.union.edu DIFFERENTIATORS

AN ACADEMIC VILLAGE We will expand experiential opportunities D1.7: Foster innovation that will allow THAT REFLECTS THE such as internships, civic engagement, faculty, staff, students and alumni to community-based learning and connect and collaborate across the world. DIVERSITY OF THE WORLD engagement, and study abroad. DIFFERENTIATOR 1 D1.3: Broaden our understanding of INTEGRATIVE THOUGHT the resources and historical significance AND ACTION FOR THE What we’re going to do: of Schenectady, Albany, the Mohawk and Hudson valleys, and the Adirondacks to 21ST CENTURY Increase the diversity of our campus strengthen awareness of the importance community. DIFFERENTIATOR 2 of place. Enhance and promote a richer under- D1.4: Advance our efforts to recruit What we’re going to do: standing of local and global knowledge. for a diverse community, building a Provide opportunities for students to Help students ”find their place in the learning environment that fosters take advantage of the full spectrum world” by enhancing their personal, democratic values, social responsibility, of disciplinary, interdisciplinary and social and academic development. ethical understanding and consciousness multidisciplinary learning options. How we are going to do it: that will ultimately attract a broader range of student applicants. Offer students the opportunity to use D1.1: Continue the development of both critical thinking and expertise to a collaborative, coherent and integrated D1.5: Create an environment that develop skills that can be applied across approach to mentoring and advising that retains and nurtures talented faculty, disciplines and in future careers. recognizes a broad range of aspirations staff and students of all backgrounds. How we are going to do it: and encourages students to explore a We will also assess and develop programs variety of curricular and extracurricular and processes to enhance the campus D2.1: Provide curricular support for opportunities. climate and make all members of the Union a rigorous integrated experience. community feel welcome, supported and D1.2: Enhance opportunities for D2.2: Build on the differentiating able to access all aspects of our living, students’ personal and academic presence of having ABET-accredited learning environment. development through academic programs engineering programs in partnership with including small First-Year Preceptorial D1.6: Internationalize the campus to our other liberal arts offerings. We will and Sophomore Research Seminars, provide an academic, research and work also ensure that the practical application to research and scholarly opportunities, environment that embraces a global education. problem-solving is shared across disciplines. and senior capstone experiences. oriented projects. multidisciplinary team andteam- learning through actionandprovide innovation. We willbuildabaseof that encourages socially responsible What we’re goingto do: DIFFERENTIATOR 3 CREATIVE FUTURE INNOVATIVE AND CONNECTED TO AN A DISTINCTIVE PAST collaborative learning. to promote interdisciplinary and both physical andprogrammatic, How we areHow we goingto doit: ways we prepare ourstudents for thefuture. innovative andcreative approach inthe responsibility. development oftheirpersonal andsocial both insideandoutsidetheclassroom.

Incorporate thestrengths ofourhistoric Engage students more effectively inthe Use technology inmore innovative ways,

D3.1: D2.4: D2.3:

Nurture aculture andcommunity Create andsustain structures, Advance opportunitiesfor

opportunities to share innovations. creative thinkingandactivity,create experiences, provide physical spaces for We willfacilitate collaborative learning a culture thatencourages risk-taking. ethical andcultural realities andcreates knowledge thatconsiders social,historical, of makingvisions realities. Union’s tradition andlong-standing legacy curiosity andquestioning, we willnurture values ofUnionCollege. To generate pride, the historic andlivingmission, visionand off campus. and enhance interactions bothon and and programming to create efficiencies learning, andusetechnology, management programs thatfoster creativity andshared with external partners. We willsupport partnerships to allow students to engage experiential learning andcooperative We willprovide opportunitiesfor learn outsidethetraditional classroom. support thewaysinwhichstudents enhance student learning. embrace technologies andtools to encouraged to experiment withand on historical strengths. Faculty willbe teaching andlearning while relying

D3.2: D3.4: D3.3: Engage thecommunity with Recognize, encourage and A dopt innovative waysof

NOW ANDINTHEYEARSAHEAD. CONTRIBUTIONS TO HUMANITY, WHO MAKEIMPORTANT PRODUCING GRADUATES LEARNING ENVIRONMENT, STRENGTHEN OURDISTINCTIVE OUR ASPIRATIONS, WEWILL TOGETHER TO FULFILL AND ACT. BYWORKING US TO THINK,CONNECT THE FUTURE,ENCOURAGING SETS ABOLDAGENDA FOR FOR UNIONCOLLEGE THE 2013STRATEGIC PLAN CONCLUSION

2013 STRATEGIC PRIORITIES www.union.edu 807 UNION STREET | SCHENECTADY, NY 12308 | WWW.UNION.EDU