We have mixed emotions regarding the university's creation of a new strategic plan. The proposal - which is currently more a bunch of ideas than a written, specific policy - is likely to become the long awaited replacement to former President Ben Ladner's November 2001 15 Point Plan.
Although university administrators have made abundantly clear their desire to include students in this policymaking process, The Eagle has its reservations. The last thing AU needs is another document loaded with broad statements and ill-defined goals, a plan that substitutes specific policies with ambiguous and unhelpful prose. The current plan, available on AU's Web site, doubtlessly suffers from the same fatal flaw. A measly paragraph does little to explain how AU intends to turn many of its ideas into action, not to mention how it plans to address those actions when it produces unwanted results.
That said, the old 15 Point Plan accomplished most of its main purpose: It expanded AU's international presence, introducing many new and popular abroad programs. We can only hope that the new strategic plan builds upon that same foundation. But as much as AU made great strides in international education, did it do so to the detriment of the abroad office? Not to say that AU should scale back its programs, but did a lack of specifics in Ladner's 15 Point Plan merely create the many staff problems The Eagle identified last semester? There is certainly a plethora of other potentially more important reasons for students to demand a more explicit strategic plan, especially since it's their money at stake. But regardless of their motivations, students should expect more than just excellent speech material. They should demand a detailed plan that allows them to hold the university accountable for any infringements and shortcomings- something it cannot do under the shroud of ambiguity.
We commend the university for including students' opinions in the plan's development. We encourage everyone to reflect on the university's progress and submit suggestions either online or in person at one of the scheduled town hall meetings. Indeed, the plan's success is contingent upon its specificity.
