NEWS
SEPTEMBER 17, 2010
SLRP II moves forward with student, staff endorsement
By Ryan Gordy and Abbey Dean
Staff Writer & News Editor
The second Strategic Long-Range
Plan (SLRP II) took another step toward
approval with the endorsement of the CCE
Student Government Association on Sept.
12. Already endorsed and supported by the
Academic/Administrative Staff Support
Association, Community Senate, and the
SLRP committee, SLRP IPs approval now
hinges on input from faculty and final
approval by the full board of trustees.
According to Jeff Favolise, assistant to
the president for planning and manage
ment, the administration is working hard
to involve the entire community in crafting
SLRP II.
"I've been encouraged by support
from faculty as well as from CCE, SGA,
Community Senate and the staff associa
tion," said Favolise. "We've tried very hard
to answer questions and solicit input and
ideas to make every aspect of the plan even
better."
SLRP II follows on the heels of the origi
nal SLRP, but focuses more on improving
the academic environment and overall stu
dent experience.
"SLRP II was conceived with a deep
appreciation of our Quaker heritage, mis
sion, and values," said Favolise. "I believe
the plan focuses on our core business of stu
dent learning and preparation. It builds on
all that is unique and special at Guilford."
One of the most prominent elements of
the plan is the proposal to implement a
January term.
A January term would involve the addi
tion of three to four weeks in the academic
calendar, enabling students to further pur
sue academic interests through internships,
community and service learning, indepen
dent studies, or even faculty-supervised
research specific to a student's area of
study.
"I look forward to the implementation
of a 'J term' for the entire community," said
senior Cordelia McKusick. "It would be an
effective and sustainable route to encourage
Guilford students to volunteer in our com
munity and on our campus."
The January term was a major topic of
conversation during the Sept. 14 and 15
faculty discussions of the SLRP II.
"(The Faculty) appreciate that the J term
is optional and that there are compensation
models. The details of the J term have to be
worked out with their involvement," said
Favolise. "There is still some uncertainty.
We are trying to answer questions and im
prove that aspect of the plan."
Guilford is currently trying to both pro
mote and explain SLRP II, evidence of
which can be seen across campus. Flyers are
posted to help spark student interest, and
there was a survey in the Buzz for both tra
ditional and CCE students to gauge student
opinion about the January term, among
other SLRP II initiatives.
This means SLRP II will affect both cur
rent and future Guilford students. The plan
is designed to prepare students for life and
intends to do this by executing strategic
outcomes such as critical knowledge, com
municating effectively, engaging responsi
bly, and learning experientially.
Professor of Theatre Studies and SLRP
Committee member Jack Zerbe said that
these outcomes go beyond the general edu
cation and disciplinary centerpieces of a
liberal arts education; they are the skills,
knowledge, and values students need to
succeed in the twenty-first century.
"The plan is striving for outcomes of aca
demic experience that produce knowledge
and skill in the way the world is changing,"
Zerbe said.
In fact, some of the programs* meant
to prepare students for life after gradua
tion include those that are already active
at Guilford. Examples of such programs
iriclude the promotion of student intern
ships, semesters of study abroad, the intro
duction of the diversity plan, and a focus
on service learning.
"The focus of SLRP II is to strengthen
Guilford's academic program and its related
parts," said Zerbe. "The outcomes named
in the plan have been chosen because they
prepare students for success after college."
The plan is also intended to further
strengthen Guilford's academic reputation
and faculty visibility.
In the short term, outcomes will provide
a strong academic foundation for students
with the support of its faculty and staff.
In the long term, the plan will aid Guilford
in providing more need-based financial aid,
improve diversity of the student body, raise
faculty and staff pay, increase the number
of faculty and staff, and foster more pro
gram funding.
SLRP II further facilitates improvement
of the academic program and the means
for providing essential support where it is
needed.
In fact, a stated objective is that Guilford
will "strive to increase student participa
tion in service learning and improve links
between these experiences."
This illustrates the importance of student
feedback regarding SLRP II. The board of
trustees only considers the plan for approv
al after the student governments, students,
and other governance bodies have voiced
their opinions.
Therefore, students are a deciding factor
in the content and eventual outcome of the
plan.
"I would like to see more investment
in Bonner and multicultural education
resources," said senior Bonner Scholar
Juliet Carrington. "That way SLRP can
facilitate the dialogue and better support
service learning and the community."
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PROGRESS
(Already approved by senate,
awaiting administrative approval)
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and HeiatiaeA, tea.
Recommendation
for designated
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UPCOMING
(to be discussed at Sept. 22
senate meeting)
Community
Senate Bylaws
Public Safety &
Students
ACCOIIP*
9 LOCATIONS IN THE GREENSBORO
AND WINSTON-SALEM AREAS
TO FIND THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU VISIT JIMMYJOHNS.GOM
Endorsement
in principle of
second Strategic
YOUR IDEAS
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Contact: Senate(g
guilford.edu
or
FREAKY FAST DELIVERY!
Range Plan
Senate President Dana
Hamdan
hamdands@guilford.edu
^2009 JIMMr JOHN'S FRANCHISE. EEC ALL RICHES RESERVED.