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Chico State

From the President: Innovating for our Future

The southeast entrance to campus shows the faces of students, faculty, and staff on pole banners.
Jason Halley / University Photographer

Looking down the First Street Promenade from the east entrance of campus on Thursday, July 21, 2016 in Chico, Calif. (Jason Halley/University Photographer)

I hope your fall semester is off to a rousing start, and that you are as energized as I am for the year to come and all the ways we will innovate to make Chico State the most outstanding University it can be.

As I shared in my fall Convocation address, part of that vision is made possible by our Strategic Plan, Master Plan, and WASC accreditation processes—which will be a prominent feature of our 2018–19 academic year. I encourage everyone to take part in the discussions we will have, because each of you have a perspective and dream for the future of Chico State. I want us to think boldly and creatively, to imagine with aspiration and innovation.

Please take time to familiarize yourself with the University planning webpage. There, you will find a timeline for all three processes, as well as links to upcoming events and ways to engage. But first, I’d like to clarify the three processes, because while they are a unified effort to support our University moving forward, each has unique elements and requires different input.

  • Strategic planning focuses on our identity, values, goals, and priorities. It will help set the direction and character of the University for years to come.
  • Master planning will give shape and form to the physical campus and its buildings as we grow and change over time. We will evaluate the condition of facilities, open spaces, and infrastructure to identify goals and recommendations to enhance the overall campus environment in the future.
  • WASC accreditation reaffirms and reenergizes our commitment to educational and institutional effectiveness and is fundamental for our identity as an institution of higher education.

I invite all of you to attend FutureFest: Innovating for Tomorrow, as we come together during 4 ½ days of engagement sessions in September and October to brainstorm and connect. With a variety of sessions for different audiences, you are invited to attend as many as you would like. I look forward to seeing you at sessions for both the Master Plan and the Strategic Plan, and reading your ideas as you share them online.

The Master Plan Engagement Sessions:

  • Student input open house—September 25 and 26, Noon–1 p.m.
  • Campus and Community open house—September 25, 2:30–4 p.m. and 5:30–7 p.m.

The Strategic Plan Engagement Sessions

  • Broad Vision and Identity*
    • Campus and community open houses will be held throughout the day on October 2–3. See the schedule for session times.
    • *These sessions will focus on where we would like to see the University in 5–10 years, what it will be known for, and how we can innovate to reach those goals.
  • University Priorities and Themes*
    • Campus and community open houses will be held throughout the day on October 3–4. See the schedule for session times.
      * These sessions will feature focused discussions on student success, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, campus climate, civic and community engagement, and regional economic development and growth—although ideas are not restricted to these topics.

Whether you can attend the meetings or not, everyone is also invited to use the Community Mapping tool and voice your thoughts on the Idea Wall of the Master Planning website, and to speak to your vision on the Strategic Plan on our online feedback tool.

Together, we will plan a future for this University that is innovative, creative, and the leading edge of higher education. I can’t wait to see where we take us as we unlock all of our potential!