BY EARNEST WINSTON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS -- Strengthening its curriculum, taking advantage of its metropolitan-area location and further promoting multiculturalism are among the things Northern Kentucky University will strive for over the next five years.
The ideas were unveiled Wednesday by President James C. Votruba as part of NKU's five-year strategic action plan.
The presentation marked the culmination of the president-appointed panel "Vision, Values and Voices." The panel of faculty, staff, students and community members conducted more than 30 community dialogues with about 500 people over the past several months.
Retaining students and faculty, as well improving recruitment, were cited as priorities, Dr. Votruba said.
A more aggressive and comprehensive strategy for marketing the university also will be crucial for success.
"We need to tell our story better," the president told a nearly full Greaves Concert Hall.
Part of NKU's more aggressive recruitment efforts will focus on Indiana.
"It's a growing area. It's a bedroom community of the Greater Cincinnati area," said Meg Winchell, director of admissions. Strengthening the university's relationship with alumni was also cited as a goal.
Sophomore Ragan Martinez, 20, who attended the presentation, said she enjoys NKU's small classes but thinks the university should do more to inform high school students about financial aid and scholarships, as well as increasing the profile of part-time faculty.
The strategic plan calls for building and retaining highly qualified and diverse faculty through targeted hiring and competitive compensation.
The strategic priority for the 1998-99 academic year will include investing about $4.4 million into areas such as hiring full-time and part-time faculty, enhancing student recruitment and retention, and improving campus facilities.
The money also will be used for a strategic investment fund and to create a position of associate provost for outreach, whose main duty will be to help implement the university's strategic plan. About $150,000 of the $4.4 million has already been allocated to hire several faculty members.
"This represents a tangible commitment to what we say we want to be," Dr. Votruba said. As NKU works to accomplish its goals, it must be guided by several core values, including being "learner-centered," focusing on high standards, engaging the public, spawning intellectual and creative freedom and multiculturalism, Dr. Votruba said. "I believe that this university is positioned to accomplish something very, very special," the president said, adding that he wants to become less dependent on state funding.
The final open forum to discuss the strategic plan is 2 to 3:30 p.m. today in Greaves Concert Hall.
