CALS STRATEGIC PLAN • 2005-2009

a new strategic plan for the calendar years 2005-2009. This strategic plan differs from formats we have grown accustomed to in the university environment. Most plans have a considerable amount of reflection on how good we are, what we want to be, and a series of general goals followed by selected specific objectives. This approach works well in times where we can extrapolate trends and it serves partially as an operational plan by listing specific goals and objectives. But, it frequently misses the larger strategic issues because of the focus on specificity. In this revised strategic plan we concluded that we cannot simply extrapolate trends. While there are some aspects of the future where we are relatively sure what might unfold, there are a number of other things that will only become clear as future events take place. We have therefore provided general guidance in a strategic sense, on where we are going, how we might get there, and what signposts we will use to measure our progress. We also included our subject areas of focus, our audiences, and which principles w