Strategic Plan 2002 - 2007

STRATEGIC OUTCOMES

Strategic outcomes represent the results the College must achieve, based on choices among its strategic priorities, in order to move firmly and progressively toward the fulfillment of its Vision. Outcomes represent firm, verifiable commitments which are continually tracked and evaluated in order to measure progress.

The College has identified a number of key "outcome areas" which, taken together, encompass the range of our professional activities. What follows are the outcome statements (listed without priority ranking) that represent the commitments that will drive the principal activities of the College of Creative Arts in the current planning period.

Outcome areas are listed in bold type. Measurable outcomes are listed in italics.

FINANCIAL

We will have successfully secured additional funding.
We will exceed Capital Campaign goals in all areas.

Baseline

The original College of Creative Arts Capital Campaign goal of $3.5 million has already been surpassed.
Some component goals within the plan have not reached targeted minimum amounts.

2002-2007

All campaign goals (total and component items) will be exceeded.
New fund-raising activities will focus on securing grants from private foundations and public funds.

We will increase externally funded research monies.

Baseline

No research monies were secured.
Research awards, secured primarily at the initiatives of individual faculty, have been limited.
The College of Creative Arts has identified a development officer with experience in grant writing.

2002-2007

The opportunities for faculty to seek external research funding will be increased.
Working more closely with the West Virginia University Research Corporation, individual Divisions and the College will target and apply for research funding for the arts, the humanities, arts and humanities education, and related support technology.
The College of Creative Arts has established a goal of securing $50,000 in awarded faculty research.

CULTURE/VALUES

We will continue to demonstrate our commitment to social justice and cultural diversity.
We will increase leadership opportunities for individuals from protected and/or minority classes.

Baseline

The College of Creative Arts currently meets or exceeds all targeted employment goals for diversity.
Individuals from protected and/or minority classes are under-represented in the administration of the units of the College.
The College of Creative Arts has promoted one protected class member to the role of Chair of the Division of Theatre and Dance and a second to the position of Graduate Coordinator for the Division of Music.

2002-2007

Interested protected class and/or minority class individuals will be encouraged to attend conferences, workshops, and symposia geared toward the development of leadership skills.
Units will examine internal governance structures to determine and create new leadership/mentorship opportunities for interested faculty and staff.
More protected-class faculty will have leadership roles at the Divisional, College, and University levels.

We will recruit, enroll, and retain students who represent a more diverse student body.

Baseline

Individuals from protected and/or minority classes constitute only a small percentage of the total College of Creative Arts student body.

2002-2007

The percentage of minority students pursuing a course of study in the College will equal or exceed the percentage for the University.
The College will make specific efforts to create a more diverse student body by participating in events geared specifically towards achieving this goal.
The College will host and/or will participate more extensively in University-sponsored special recruiting events intended to promote student diversity.

The College of Creative Arts will continue to present and promote exhibitions,
performances, and presentations that explore issues of diversity.

Baseline

Events, exhibitions, performances, as well as research publications and presentations, have always been a part of College programming.

2002-2007

The College of Creative Arts will further enhance its identification, promotion, and presentations of works that are representative of the diverse heritage and changing demographics of its future constituency. Such events will be more closely allied with similar activities sponsored by other organizations within the University.
We will enhance our success in enabling faculty, staff, and students to contribute to the accomplishment of our Vision.

The College of Creative Arts Partnership Council will continue to guide the implementation of the College’s Strategic Plan.

Baseline

The Council has been instrumental in helping to determine policies in all areas of the College and the Creative Arts Center, including the development of this Strategic Plan.

2002-2007

The College of Creative Arts Partnership Council will continue to be active in assessing the effectiveness of this Strategic Plan.
The Council will continue to work as an advisory board for the Dean and will assist, when appropriate, in determining policy for both the College and the Creative Arts Center.

More College of Creative Arts faculty and staff meetings will be called yearly.

Baseline

Four key meetings (two per semester) are held currently.
Monthly staff meetings are currently held.
The Dean attends at least one regular faculty meeting per semester in each of the three Divisions.

2002-2007

In an open forum, the Dean or a designated representative, will meet with faculty and staff to discuss pertinent issues relating to the College of Creative Arts and to the Creative Arts Center.
As needed, the Dean or a designated representative will call additional meetings at the College level to assist in the dissemination, review, and discussion of information and issues pertinent to the future of the College of Creative Arts.

More College of Creative Arts student meetings will be held yearly.

Baseline

The Dean of the College of Creative Arts meets regularly with graduate students to discuss ongoing educational concerns.
"Town meetings" are held in all three units as forum for students to address issues specific to individual divisions.
College of Creative Arts student organizations have been active in supporting unit and College activities.

2002-2007

The Dean of the College of Creative Arts or a designated representative will continue to meet with students to discuss issues relating to their educations.

Divisional "town meetings" will continue on a regular basis.
The College will explore the feasibility of increasing student representation on College and Division committees.
Established College of Creative Arts student organizations will continue to meet on a regular basis.
The College will establish a graduate student organization for the purpose of strengthening and enriching graduate student education

COMMUNITY, REGIONAL, AND STATE CONTRIBUTIONS

We will nurture and support College of Creative Arts outreach activities in the community, state, and region. We will raise awareness of the level of professional standards and expectations required in the arts and in arts education.

We will develop partnerships and off-campus educational programs with other institutions within the state.

Baseline

A course in Art Appreciation (Art 101) has been taught at The Museum in the Community. (Putnam County)

2002-2007
• The College of Creative Arts will work to establish programs comparable to those in Putnam County in Beckley, Charleston, Lewisburg, Wheeling, and the Eastern Panhandle.

• The College will assess the need and scope of its extended and off-campus educational programs.

• The College will increase the number of faculty, staff, and students participating in these programs.

• Additional off-campus and distance learning programs will be developed for the Charleston area, through the Clay Center, as well as for the surrounding region. Partnership activities will include educational, performance, workshop, and exhibition components within schools and other institutions.

• The College will explore the possibility of developing partnership programs to encourage qualified high school students to enroll in courses in the College of Creative Arts for credit.

We will, through Creative Arts Center programs, contribute significantly to the cultural and economic climate in North Central West Virginia in order to enhance the quality of life of its citizens.
We will develop innovative ways to assess the cultural and economic impact of College of Creative Arts/Creative Arts Center exhibitions, performances, and programs on our region.
Baseline
• In a 1999 survey completed by the Vision 2000 Arts Initiative of the Morgantown Chamber of Commerce, 91.9% of those surveyed indicated that the Creative Arts Center was meeting the cultural and entertainment needs of the greater Morgantown area.

2002-2007
• In conjunction with Arts Monongalia, the College will develop and conduct new surveys to demonstrate further the continuing significant economic impact of our programming on the community and region.

We will continue to enhance the number and scope of public exhibitions, performances, and presentations.
Baseline
• Using dedicated contributions from private sources, the College has committed itself to fully staged opera and musical theatre productions every year.

• The College of Creative Arts has engaged the public through numerous exhibitions, performances, and presentations of arts events.

• In 1996, the College initiated the Distinguished Artist Lecture Series.

2002-2007
• Audience development will continue to be a major factor in the selection and presentation of major College performances.

• All units will work to enhance programming through the acquisition of external funding, reallocation of resources, and increased inter-unit collaboration.

• The College of Creative Arts will partner more closely with the West Virginia University Arts and Entertainment Division in the development, marketing, and presentation of exhibitions, performances, and presentations.

The College of Creative Arts will provide critical engagement in the arts through outreach activities in local, regional, national, and international settings.
Baseline
• As a part of its ongoing commitment to artistic outreach, the College of Creative Arts has traditionally presented exhibitions, lectures, and performances outside of the University environment.

• The College has budgeted $15,000 to support outreach activities.

2002-2007
• Touring will continue to play a vital role in the College’s outreach programs.

• The College will secure increased funding to support its outreach activities.

• The College will develop partnerships, including an enhanced association with West Virginia University Extension Service, that will jointly support touring and other outreach activities.

The College of Creative Arts will continue to provide outstanding arts education
for the community through the Community Arts Program.
Baseline
• The College of Creative Arts sponsors the Community Arts Programs as a part of its mission to provide arts education and service to the community.

2002-2007
• The College will assess the programs currently offered by the Community Arts Program and continue to nurture their growth through innovations that respond to changing community needs.

PROGRAMS AND CURRICULA

We will refine and enhance curricula and programs in response to changing professional and academic expectations.
We will assess and, where appropriate, develop new courses, minors, and/or areas of emphasis.
Baseline
• Prior to 2001, minors were established in Art History, Dance, Music, and Theatre.

• The Intermedia Arts Program was initiated in 1999.

2002-2007
• A new minor will be established in Arts Management.

• A new minor in Recording Technology will be explored.

• The Puppetry Program will be broadened through more diverse course offerings.

• The new Master of Fine Arts Acting curriculum will be initiated.

• Interdisciplinary Arts courses will be explored and developed.

• We will develop more technology courses where needs are demonstrated.

• We will develop professional liaisons, internships, and/or exchanges as part of the academic programs.

We will increase Teacher Education classes/programs in response to demonstrated need.
Baseline
• Teacher education programs leading to K-12 certification are currently offered in the Divisions of Art and Music.

2002-2007
• A teacher education program leading to K-12 certification in theatre will be developed.

• The College of Creative Arts will offer professional development programs and summer institutes to enrich teacher education in all areas of the arts. These may be taken for credit.

• The College of Creative Arts will collaborate with Marshall University to offer more statewide institutes for arts education teachers.

• The College will establish the "Arts Media Laboratory" which will provide regional K-12 teachers with remote electronic access to established collections of visual and performing arts materials.

• The Division of Art will establish additional programs leading to K-12 Art certification.

We will refine graduate education while in accordance with West Virginia Senate Bill 653.
Baseline
• The College of Creative Arts offers the only nationally accredited graduate programs in Art, Music, and Theatre in the state.

2002-2007
• College graduate curricula will be reviewed and advanced to ensure alignment with the future needs of the profession, ensure quality teacher preparation and continued mentorship of future artists, performers and scholars.

• The College will explore new programs of study that promote lifelong learning and continuing education at the graduate level

We will devise a plan to monitor the careers of College of Creative Arts graduates.
Baseline
• The College policies for tracking alumni/alumnae have not been formalized.

• The College has identified one course of study from each Division that will be monitored as part of the University’s Student Job Placement Tracking program.

2002-2007
• Each Division will establish databases to track alumni/alumnae by profession and location.

• Each Division will develop plans to assess graduate satisfaction with its programs.

• The College of Creative Arts will work with the WVU Career Services Center to access information that may be of assistance in career development and/or employment opportunities for graduates.

• Divisions will design, distribute, collate, and disseminate information concerning satisfaction of alumni/alumnae with their professional preparation.

Access to technology will increase in classrooms, laboratories, as well as faculty
and staff offices.
Baseline
• The College of Creative Arts has invested significant funding in its technology infrastructure to support programming and daily operations.

• Faculty are currently exploring new ways of employing technology in the exchange of learning.

2002-2007
• The College will add an Information Technology position to support needs in this area.

• Three teaching spaces will be renovated as C-Tec electronic classrooms.

• The College will continue to upgrade software, hardware, and other technologies as needed.

• Facilities renovation will include equipping major lecture, recital, and theatre spaces with the infrastructure and equipment to support and deliver most forms of electronic media. Renovation will also include a state-of-the-art graduate seminar room.

• The College will offer more on-line classes and will increase the number of classes with a significant technological component.

• The College will train students in the appropriate use of technology.

• The College will become a regional leader in the use of technology as it pertains to teaching and learning in the arts.

Student representation at national professional conferences, symposia, and events will increase.
Baseline
• Student participation at national conferences and events has been limited.

2002-2007
• The College of Creative Arts faculty will encourage more student attendance at such events.

• The College will develop guidelines for supporting student participation and promote such activity as a part of the student’s professional development.

• The College will work to identify and secure additional outside funding to support student travel.

We will seek to recruit, retain, and graduate students of exceptional quality.
The number and quality of students applying to the College of Creative Arts programs will increase.
Baseline
• The number of student applications to the College of Creative Arts programs continues to increase by approximately 5% annually.

2002-2007
• The College will allocate more resources to support increased student recruitment initiatives.

Standards for the basis of retention will be increased and subsequently maintained.
Baseline
• Standards for the retention of students are loosely defined.

2002-2007
• Retention standards and guidelines will be developed, implemented, and communicated to students.

The College of Creative Arts will exceed the University’s retention rate.
• Currently, the University’s retention rate is 76 %. The College’s rate is approximately the same.

• The number of students enrolled and retained in the College of Creative Arts programs has increased annually.

2002-2007
• As a result of more selective admissions policies for all programs (juries, portfolio reviews, interviews, and auditions), the College intends to raise the caliber of students retained by its programs.

We will maintain and/or increase enrollment of non-majors in courses that are part of the University’s Liberal Studies Program.
Baseline
• Annually, the College of Creative Arts provides instruction for approximately forty individual courses as a part of Cluster A of the Liberal Studies Program.

• The College of Creative Arts also offers another nine courses for the support of non-college degree programs.

2002-2007
• The College of Creative Arts, in conjunction with new off-campus and extended learning programs, will offer similar courses at remote regional sites.

• The College of Creative Arts will develop new cluster courses.

FACULTY AND STAFF LEARNING, GROWTH, AND SUPPORT

We will develop strategies to increase the visibility and professional reputation of the faculty through increased support for professional exhibitions, compositions, performances, presentations, and published research.
Publications, articles in refereed journals, juried shows, one-person shows, presentations, and performances will increase at the national and international level.
Baseline
• 64 % of the College of Creative Arts faculty and staff participated at national and international levels.

2002-2007
• The College of Creative Arts will increase funding for faculty participation at such venues.

• Each Division within the College will establish standards of professional research/creative activity appropriate to national and international levels of achievement.

• The number of Creative Arts faculty will have national reputations as leading artists, administrators, performers, and scholars will increase.

We will support more opportunities for faculty and staff to develop professionally.
Percentage of faculty and staff participation in developmental activities will increase.
Baseline
• 52% of the College of Creative Arts faculty and staff participated in grants and workshop activities.

2002-2007
• The College will foster a greater level of faculty and staff professional development through increased awareness of funding and negotiated release time.

We will increase funding for faculty and staff research and/or creative activity and will encourage increased participation and/or attendance at major conferences and workshops.
Baseline
• The College of Creative Arts awards $10,000 annually to faculty and staff for participation in activities associated with professional development.

2002-2007
• The College will encourage all faculty and staff to take advantage of all potential sources of funding for professional development activities.

• The College will work to streamline the application process for internal funding.

• The College will increase available funding for such activities to $25,000 annually.

• Internal budget reallocation will create additional monies to fund such activities.

• As a direct result of the Capital Campaign, more Foundation monies will be made available to support College of Creative Arts faculty and staff professional development activities.

We will enlarge library holdings to support the needs of students and faculty in the areas of teaching and research.
We will increase the number as well as the scope and range of holdings and access will also be improved.
Baseline
• The WVU Libraries currently hold 37,955 volumes on subjects pertaining to the visual and performing arts.

• 140 serials and related materials as well as 3,568 pieces of media (sound recordings and video) are also part of the collection of the WVU Libraries.

2002-2007
• We will increase access to these holdings through use of electronic reserve, streaming audio, and other technologies as these become available.

• We will improve access to College collections.

• Through the development of a specific plan for acquisitions, the College of Creative Arts will collaborate with the University Library to enlarge the scope of the collection in response to specific program areas.

• As part of the Capital Campaign, the College will support additional library holdings.

We will upgrade electronic media and technology infrastructure.
Faculty expertise, professional expectations, accreditation expectations, and university requirements will guide these upgrades.
Baseline
• In response to programmatic needs, the College of Creative Arts faculty and staff have played a significant role in determining the selection, application, and use of technology in the College and within the Creative Arts Center.

2002-2007
• The College of Creative Arts will work with faculty, staff, and students regularly to assess needs in this area.

• Based upon faculty, staff, and student input, the College will formalize plans that addresses the ongoing needs for continuing technological upgrades.

The College of Creative Arts will establish an Arts Media Laboratory.
Baseline
• The College of Creative Arts currently maintains and staffs an inadequately equipped listening library and slide room.

2002-2007
• Through the reallocation and renovation of internal space, the College of Creative Arts will create an electronic arts library in which art, music, theatre and dance materials will be stored in digital and electronic formats.

• The Arts Media Laboratory will serve as a resource for College faculty, staff and students.
• The College will make these resources available to the region’s K-12 teachers through remote electronic access.

The College of Creative Arts will establish partnerships with Academic Computing.
Baseline
• Discussion has been initiated to explore issues of shared resources, staff, and space.

2002-2007
• During the end of 2002, this partnership will be formalized.

FACILITIES

We will provide appropriate space for the arts and will address other space needs as resources permit guided by the Vision of the College.
Renovations to the College of Creative Arts will be completed.
Baseline
• The Vivian Davis Michael Theatre renovation was completed in 2001.

• The Gladys G. Davis Theatre renovation was completed in 2001.

• Plans for the renovation of the Concert Theatre, Choral Recital Hall, and the graduate seminar room are nearly complete.

2002-2007
• We will complete plans for the renovation of the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre during 2002.

• We will complete the installation of the Blaney Graduate Seminar Room during 2002.

• We will complete the renovation of Room 427.

• We will complete the renovation of the Bloch Learning Center (200A) during 2002.

• We will complete the renovation of the Creative Arts Center lobby area and Mesaros Galleries.

• We will upgrade and expand the outdoor sculpture yard.

• We will establish a theatre crafts lab.

• We will work, in conjunction with Mathes-Brierre Architects and the West Virginia University Physical Plant, to assess further facility upgrades, renovations, and enhancements.

• We will establish procedures and time lines for continuing technological upgrades.

• We will attempt to provide a full compliment of technicians to support the Creative Arts Center performance spaces.

Space reallocation will occur within the Creative Arts Center.
Baseline
• The College of Creative Arts empanelled the Space Allocation Committee to make recommendations for the future use of space within the Creative Arts Center.

2002-2007
• The College will review proposals made by the Space Allocation Committee and will initiate the reallocation of selected spaces within the Creative Arts Center.

• By 2004, the initial phase of reallocation of space will be completed.

The College will fulfill health, safety, and housekeeping requirements.
Baseline
• The facilities report completed by Baker and Associates identified specific issues of concern relating to health and safety.

• The College of Creative Arts has improved its communications with the West Virginia University Physical Plant.

2002-2007
• Faculty and staff who regularly use teaching and studio spaces will be expected to employ proper health, safety, and housekeeping protocols. Such protocols will include the proper use, storage, and/or disposal of all chemicals.

• We will review and reevaluate health, safety, and housekeeping procedures and protocols regularly.

• We will continue to improve our communication with the West Virginia University Physical Plant with the intention of achieving more timely and efficient resolution of issues pertaining to facilities and maintenance.

We will create or annex new spaces as resources permit, In conjunction with or independently of the Creative Arts Center renovation.
Baseline
• The College of Creative Arts is currently exploring the feasibility of creating facilities for an art museum, a new recital hall, and new classroom, studios and/or rehearsal spaces.

2002-2007
• Based on the assessment of space and the availability of resources, the College will begin to examine alternative spaces outside of the Creative Arts Center for teaching, studio, and storage spaces.

• The College will explore the possibility of creating an Art Museum that will exhibit works from the West Virginia University Art Collection and curated exhibitions.

• The College will explore the feasibility of creating additional performance and/or recital spaces.

• The College will explore the feasibility of creating and/or renovating spaces to enhance the Creative Arts Center’s performance capabilities.

SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES

We will reconfigure the process of communicating information both internally and with the University, community, region, and nation.
We will develop and implement an effective marketing plan.
Baseline
• Although individual effort has been made at the Division level, the Creative Arts Center has been largely ineffective in marketing itself to all members of its constituency.

2002-2007
• During 2001-2002, the College of Creative Arts will work with the University to develop and maintain an effective marketing plan that promotes the College’s programs and activities on local, regional, and national levels.

• By 2003, the College will introduce new Web pages that will communicate the College’s academic programs, exhibitions, performances, research opportunities, schedules, and highlight the achievements of successful alumni/alumnae.

• The College will implement the use of an interactive CD-ROM as one of its major forms of communication with potential students, donors, faculty, and staff.

We will simplify scheduling systems.
Baseline
• Current scheduling systems do not allow for centralized access to all Creative Arts Center rooms and performance spaces.

2002-2007
• During 2001-2002, the College will work to streamline and centralize its scheduling procedures.

• During 2002, an updated calendar of events will be available on the College of Creative Arts Web pages.

RECOGNITION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

We will better publicize the accomplishments of our faculty, staff, and students.
We will examine and improve the College of Creative Arts public relations structure in order to ensure greater timeliness and success in placement of news items.
Baseline
• Although individual efforts have been successful, the effectiveness of the College of Creative Arts/Creative Arts Center current public relations efforts have been limited.

2002-2007
• Beginning in 2002, the College will outline and formalize new procedures that will centralize, streamline, and expedite all public relations releases from the College.

• Beginning in 2002, the College will unify all printed materials associated with the College in accordance with University guidelines.

• Each Division of the College will work directly with the College’s public relations office in the promotion of all events including exhibitions, performances, and presentations.

• The College will update its media contact list for disseminating information.

• The College will implement new methods of communicating with the media.

Alumni/alumnae will play an increased role in the College.
Baseline
• College of Creative Arts alumni/alumnae play an occasional role as guest artists and/or advisors for the College.

2002-2007
• During 2002, the College of Creative Arts will identify alumni/alumnae successfully working in the professions and publicize their success as a reflection of the value of the College’s programs.

• Successful alumni/alumnae will be encouraged to participate in special events that will enrich the educational programs of the College and connect the success of the individual with the benefits gained through study at WVU.

• The College will sponsor events to honor its alumni/alumnae.

We will disseminate information concerning faculty, staff, and student achievements on a regular basis.
Baseline
• Such reporting primarily occurs in the Marquee and Palette and in standard University reports.

2002-2007
• The Marquee and Palette will be redesigned and reformatted as a scholarly journal on the arts in the College of Creative Arts.

• The College of Creative Arts will create a semi-annual newsletter for alumni/alumnae, patrons, and donors of the College.

• The College will work with the WVU Office of Institutional Advancement to gain greater coverage and promotion of College faculty, students, and staff, particularly through University-produced publications.

• The College will establish an electronic newsletter as a means of regularly communicating the accomplishments of its constituency.

We will enhance the reputation of excellence for the College of Creative Arts in the state, region, and nation.
Baseline
• All College of Creative Arts programs, with the exception of the dance minor, are nationally accredited.

2002-2007
• We shall increase the quality and expand the geographical diversity of the student applicant pool.

• Each Division will develop and implement a plan that identifies goals for achieving recognition at the state, regional, and national levels.

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

We will increase the recognition of our international programs.
Division faculty will continue to develop distinctive international program opportunities.
Baseline
• The College of Creative Arts currently has programs with China, Ghana, and Germany.

2002-2007
• The College will assess the effectiveness and scope of its international programs.

• The College will work to develop and fund new programs with Cuba, Mexico, Italy, and other nations through the initiative of College faculty.

• The College will broaden and promote its international programming and curricula.

• The College of Creative Arts will host more internationally recognized guest artists, performers, and scholars to enhance the global perspectives of our students, staff, faculty, and members of our community.

• The College will strengthen its partnership with the WVU Office of International Programs.

• We will increase funding for international programs.

NEXT (Addendum)