IDENTIFIERS *Strategic Planning

Lack of strategic planning by colleges and universities has inhibited higher education's ability to respond to the changing global environment. A majority of institutions plan from year to year, with crisis management becoming the norm. Because the external environment is evaluated infrequently, the institution does not have the broad view necessary to make app Ipriate decisions. Mission statements, rather than serving as a pragmatic guide for the organization's future, simply adorn college catalogs. Strategic planning requires the creation of a specific vision for a college, reflecting decisions in five areas: (1) institutional mission; (2) targeted groups; (3) programs offerings and priorities; (4) comparative advantages; and (5) key institutional objectives. Strategic planning helps to clarl_fy an institution's mission and can link budgeting and planning processes to maximize effective use o