Strategic Management Plan

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

December 1, 1997

Revised Fall, 2007

The Strategic Management Plan for the Nelson Rusche College of Business:

1. Provide an enriched, challenging and comprehensive student experience.
   
   
   1. Increase the variety of student educational experiences.
      1. Promote faculty coordination of student cohorts participating in a common semester experience across disciplines. (Track the percent of students participating in such experiences.)
      2. Increase student educational travel involvement. (Track the percent of students participating in the various domestic and international travel activities, such as: Washington to Wall Street, study abroad opportunities, student organization conferences, student competitions, etc.)
      3. Recognize outstanding student accomplishments. (Track the number of awards given for COB student organization projects, class projects, student research, independent studies, etc.)
   2. Promote mentoring and collaborative experiences.
      1. Support faculty/student mentoring opportunities. (Track the percent of students involved in our professional and student organizations, participating in career advising opportunities, academic research and conference presentations, such as the Bright Ideas Conference.)
      2. Encourage student internships and other forms of involvement with business organizations. (Track the percent of eligible students participating in internship opportunities, “shadowing” opportunities, etc.)
   3. Ensure a continuous emphasis on student achievement of learning goals. (Refer to the Learning Goals below)


2. Promote Faculty Excellence.
   
   
   1. Encourage innovative teaching methods.
      1. Utilize guest speakers from cross-disciplinary areas. (Track the number of guest speakers presenting material relevant to multiple disciplines.)
      2. Encourage cross-disciplinary integration of curricula or educational experiences. (Track the occurrence of cross-disciplinary exercises and content in existing curricula and/or Track the number of cross-disciplinary proposals to the undergraduate curriculum committee.)
      3. Encourage the use of the Internet and other forms of technology in course content and delivery. (Track the number of on-line courses, courses using WebCT, etc.)
   2. Encourage faculty development.
      1. Encourage faculty participation in development activities. (Track the percent of eligible faculty submitting and receiving development leave opportunities, internal and external research grants, participation in scholarly/professional meetings, etc.)
      2. Increase faculty implementation of new and effective pedagogies for new or existing curriculum. (Track the percent of faculty collaborating with the University Teaching Center, participating in University Teaching Circles, attending pedagogical seminars, pursuing cross-disciplinary teaching, etc.)
      3. Facilitate faculty involvement with business organizations. (Track the percent of faculty participating in externships with local or regional businesses, participating in professional consulting opportunities, etc.)
   3. Recognize faculty achievement.
      1. Establish additional endowed chair positions. (Track the number of such chairs established in each department.)
      2. Establish a system of merit awards for peer-reviewed publications. (Create a plan for the system, obtain the financial support, and record the average ratio of such eligible publications per tenure-track faculty member.)
      3. Increase the level/scope of recognition for faculty excellence in teaching, research and service. (Tabulate the number of and monetary value of awards for faculty achievements in teaching, research and service; Record the number of marketing and promotion events describing faculty accomplishments, etc.)


3. Produce a Supportive Environment for Continuous Learning.
   
   
   1. Promote ethical conduct and respect for the diversity of people and ideas.
      1. Create a student code of conduct. (Track the development and implementation of a student code of conduct.)
      2. Establish a College of Business Speaker Series to specifically address the issues of business ethics and appreciation for diversity. (Track the development and implementation of a Speaker Series program.)
   2. Provide facilities and infrastructure conducive to learning.
      1. Achieve 100 percent classroom updating with computer/projector and Internet connections. (Track the percentage of classrooms with updated equipment.)
      2. Maintain a scheduled replacement of computer systems for faculty, staff, classrooms, and computer laboratories. (Track the development and implementation of a scheduled replacement plan.)
      3. Upgrade the existing common areas and restroom facilities in the business building. (Track the development and implementation of a renovation plan.)
      4. Construct a commons area conducive to student and faculty interactions and to promote cross-departmental collaborative efforts. (Track the development and implementation of a new commons area construction plan.)

Learning Goals for the Nelson Rusche College of Business

1. Communication: Students will demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
2. Information technology: Students will demonstrate knowledge of fundamental information technology tools and concepts.
3. Ethical understanding: Students will exhibit an understanding of ethics and social responsibility.
4. Critical thinking: Students will apply critical thinking skills by solving problems requiring quantitative and/or qualitative analysis.
5. Diversity awareness: Students will demonstrate multicultural and diversity understanding.
6. Teamwork: Students will demonstrate an understanding of teamwork as it occurs in business situations.
7. Business knowledge and skills: Students will effectively apply knowledge and skills in the functional areas of business.