strategic plan 2010-2015

S t r at e g i c P l a n 2 0 1 0 - 2 0 1 5

t h e U n i v e r S i t y o f S c r a n t o n

Over the past several years, The University of Scranton has carefully examined issues that are affecting today’s colleges and universities. We’ve talked about who we are and what we want to be. We’ve used the Jesuit practice of discernment – choosing between the many good things we could do to determine which we should do – to identify strategic directions for our University.

This strategic plan for 2010-2015 presents goals that will help us reach our ambitious vision. The themes of this plan – Cura Personalis, Magis and Rei Solicitudo – present an integrated approach to strategic planning that will build collaboration across our campus.

St. Ignatius Loyola long ago challenged us to go and set the world on fire. We at The University of Scranton take this challenge seriously, and intend to provide a learning experience that ignites the minds and hearts of our students.

The UnIverSITy Of ScranTOn

Strategic Plan 2010 - 2015: Go and Set the World on Fire

IntroductIon

T he University of Scranton, as a Jesuit university, while always alert to the

signs of the times, ultimately turns to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola for direction and guidance with regard to

our mission and planning. The Spiritual Exercises has as its ultimate aim the greater glory of God and the well-being of

humankind – Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam inque hominum salutem. Those two intrinsically related ends animate all that we

do as a university. all of our efforts across the full range of our endeavors are meant to give glory to God and

promote the fullness of life of all members of our community and the wider world. This is especially true of our

academic orientation and the formation of our students.

The Spiritual Exercises promote in us a profound gratitude for God’s love revealed definitively in Jesus christ. Therefore,

in the course of our planning, we want to ask how we can best respond to that love. Our answer is shaped by a

commitment to treating others, especially our students, as God treats us. This is what we mean by Cura Personalis.

In understanding this theme of our strategic plan, the experience of Ignatius Loyola during his conversion is

paradigmatic. Ignatius understood God interacting with him as a unique individual with his own inspirations

and talents, anxieties and weaknesses. This style of interaction is our ideal as we interact with our students, with

one another, and with every member of the University community. Our commitment to Cura Personalis sets

us apart even among other Jesuit universities. at Scranton we choose Cura Personalis as one of the three core

commitments of our new strategic plan.

The second core commitment is also rooted in the dynamic of the Spiritual Exercises. as with Cura Personalis,

our commitment to the Magis grows out of our response to God’s love. The Magis refers to our restless desire for

excellence grounded in gratitude. as we know from the Spiritual Exercises, God loves us so well, and we want to do well

in response. Our commitment to excellence, especially in academics and student formation, is not an end in itself. as

in all that we do as a university, it aims at promoting the greater glory of God and the well-being of humankind.

Gratitude is also the basis for the third core commitment of our new plan: Rei Solicitudo, caring for the gifts we have

been given. This commitment to stewardship guides us with regard to all the resources at our disposal both capital and

especially human. We are fortunate to be the beneficiaries of generous women and men both internal and external to

the University. Looking forward, we want to use these resources to achieve our ultimate purpose as articulated in the

Ignatian exercises: the greater glory of God and the well-being of humankind.

A messAge from University president rev. scott r. pilArz, s.J. }

2 The UnIverSITy Of ScranTOn

MIssIon: the university of scranton is a catholic

and Jesuit university animated by the spiritual vision

and the tradition of excellence characteristic of the

society of Jesus and those who share its way of

proceeding. the university is a community dedicated

to the freedom of inquiry and personal develop-

ment fundamental to the growth in wisdom and

integrity of all who share its life.

V IsIon: to be and be recognized as the finest

master’s-level, Jesuit university in the nation, the

university of scranton will be boldly driven by a

shared commitment to excellence. We will provide

a superior, transformational learning experience,

preparing students who, in the words of Jesuit founder

st. Ignatius Loyola, will “set the world on fire.”

MIssIon & VIsIon

Strategic Plan 2010 - 2015: Go and Set the World on Fire 3

MoMentuM

The University of Scranton was

founded as Saint Thomas college by

Bishop William G. O’hara, the first

Bishop of Scranton, who had always

hoped to provide an opportunity for

higher education in the Lackawanna

valley. In august of 1888, with few

resources at hand, he blessed a single

block of granite as a cornerstone for

his new college.

The college was staffed by diocesan

priests and seminarians until 1896

and then, for one year, by the Xaverian

Brothers. from 1897 until 1942

the school, which was renamed

The University of Scranton in 1938,

was administered for the Diocese

by the christian Brothers. In the late

summer of 1942, 18 Jesuits, led by

rev. coleman nevils, S.J., arrived on

campus to administer the University.

The Jesuits restructured and

strengthened Scranton’s traditional

and pre-professional programs with

an emphasis on the liberal arts, which

are the foundation for every program

at a Jesuit university.

The University has flourished under

the Jesuits, growing from a primarily

commuter school with fewer than

1,000 students to a broadly regional,

comprehensive university with a total

enrollment of more than 5,800

students in 86 undergraduate and

graduate programs. Today, Scranton

stands among the top tier of

universities recognized nationally,

with rankings in a multitude of

venues, including U.S. News & World

Report, Princeton review, Barron’s

Best Buys and the carnegie classifica-

tion for civic engagement.

BuILdIng on our foundatIon

} not long after saint thomas college was founded in 1888, classes began in the “old Main” building on Wyoming avenue.


In the summer of 1942, 18 Jesuits, led by rev. coleman nevils, s.J., the newly appointed president, arrived on campus to administer the university.

commencement 2010 marked the largest graduating classes in scranton’s history, with nearly 1,620 bachelor’s and master’s degrees conferred.

“this new building is designed to encourage students and faculty from different existing departments to interact with each other in research, teaching and social settings. these interactions serve as the basis of effective intellectual collisions - interactions that lead to a deeper understanding of the diversity of thoughts and ideas from faculty and students across campus.”

– george gomez, Ph.d., associate Professor, Biology

during the unified science center’s construction, steel workers placed a purple beam with the inscription “ad Majorem dei gloriam.“ the Latin motto means “for the greater glory of god.”


rendering of the unified science center scheduled for completion in the fall of 2011.


MoMentuM

“ the International service Program engages students in living our Jesuit and christian mission. as we continue our efforts to enact faithfully the call to be men and women for and with others, we foster a growing relationship with our international community. It is this relationship that is defining to the mission-

based service that we offer as an enriching experience for our students.”

– Elise gower, International Service Programs Coordinator

“our campus has changed dramatically over the last few years, a sprint forward in what has been a long period of significant campus development. More subtle are the transitions in curriculum and faculty. In the last five years, thanks to growth, attrition and a window-plan to assist senior faculty into their retirement, the university of scranton has hired more than 100 new faculty.”

– dr. Harold Baillie, Ph.d., Provost & Vice President for academic affairs

since 2005, students in the Panuska college of Professional studies have completed more than 78,000 hours of service learning.

since 2005, three university of scranton faculty have been awarded fulbright scholarships to study in the nations of Mauritius, germany and Kazakhstan. during that period, the university has hosted three fulbright scholars, visiting us from cameroon, Mexico and Malaysia.

alumni reunion has drawn record-breaking numbers in the past two years, with 1,235 alumni and guests returning to campus for reunion 2010 and 1,321 for reunion 2009. In total, almost 6,600 alumni and guests have attended reunion in the past five years.

for five consecutive years, scranton has been recognized among the nation’s top producers of fulbright students, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education. sixteen scranton students have received the highly-competitive fulbright fellowships in the past five years.

since 2005, the university has committed nearly $5 million each year to faculty development and scholarly support initiatives, providing more than $22 million in grants, release time for research, sabbatical support, teaching enhancement and travel.

since 2005, the university has invested nearly $200 million in campus improvements. Major projects completed or under way include the denaples center, condron Hall, dionne campus green, a new unified science center scheduled for completion in the fall of 2011, and a new apartment/fitness center complex, also scheduled for completion in fall 2011.

to date, the university has received more than $116 million in donations and pledges toward its $125 million Pride, Passion, Promise capital campaign.

since 2005, the university has received more than $20 million in generous gifts to provide scholarships for our students.

scranton faculty are actively engaged in research, scholarly writings and professional presentations. scholarly activity of faculty from 2005 - 2010 includes: • Articles Published: 668• Books Published: 94• Book Articles Published: 97

• Book Chapters Published: 134

• Book Reviews Published: 204

• Creative Activity: 117• Editorship: 56• Fellowships: 8• Grants: 142• Patents & Patent applications: 33

• Peer Reviews: 340• Scholarly Presentations: 1,435

• Proceedings: 57

since 2005, almost 500 students have taken part in the faculty/student research program. More than 800 students have completed an internship over the past five years.

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•scranton students take part in service trips across the globe, including El salvador.

S t r at e g i c P l a n 2 0 1 0 - 2 0 1 5

t h e u n i v e r S i t y o f S c r a n t o n

cura PErsonaLIsMagIs

rEI soLIcItudo


cura PerSonaliS }

cura PerSonaliS }


We will be distinctive in the formation of students in the Ignatian tradition,

emphasizing discernment, excellence and service. The individual attention

we provide to students and families will be reflective of a university

community that manifests respect and mutual support in keeping with

our catholic and Jesuit identity.

cura PErsonaLIs

cura Personalis

stratEgIEs

} We will offer a world-

affirming, transformational

education in the spirit

of St. Ignatius across the

breadth of our curriculum,

rooted in personal atten-

tion, developed within the

freshman seminar, and

growing through academi-

cally rigorous programs that

will include internships and

mentoring opportunities

born of collaboration

among academic advising,

career services and alumni.

• We will challenge, empower

and engage our students

through a community-wide

commitment to offer an

unparalleled learning and

living experience across all

years of study, preparing them

to be leaders for change. Of

necessity, this will demand

new and stronger collabora-

tions between academic and

student affairs.

• We will integrate interna-

tional study, service and

research opportunities for

students, faculty and staff.

We will increase the diversity

of our campus and expand

opportunities for multicul-

tural experiences for our

community.


cura Personalis

stratEgIEs


• We will, as a faculty, staff

and administration, respect

and care for each other,

encouraging the individual

growth and development of

all members of the University

community. In so doing,

we will model our decision-

making on the method of

discernment set forth by

St. Ignatius.

• We will make support for

mission part of our hiring

practices at all levels and

will provide faculty and staff,

especially those who are new

to our community, with

opportunities to help them

understand and appreciate

the sacred and centuries-old

work of catholic and Jesuit

education.


MagiS }

MagiS }


Grounded in gratitude, we will commit ourselves to excellence,

especially in academics and student formation, for the greater

glory of God and the well-being of humankind.

MagIs

Magis


} We will embody an

interdisciplinary and

civically engaged philoso-

phy of teaching and

scholarship that inspires

students to apply their

knowledge to the joys and

hopes, the grief and

anguish of the people of

our time, especially of those

who are poor or afflicted.

• We will ensure the vitality of

academic programs at all

levels, adding new and

innovative undergraduate and

graduate options that are in

character with our mission

and responsive to the market.

This includes the integration

of technology and sustainabil-

ity into the curriculum.

• We will establish structured

approaches and programs,

beginning in the first year,

that will engage undergradu-

ate students across all majors

to provide a more rigorous

and enriched educational

experience. This includes

greater attention to support-

ing students as they pursue

prestigious fellowships and

scholarships, and seeking

opportunities for pre-profes-

sional internships.

• We will seek out and

promote opportunities for

our faculty and students

to engage in high-quality

research and scholarship

that promises the opportunity

to improve materially the

capabilities and reputation

of our institution and lead

to increased resources.

stratEgIEs


• We will expand the breadth

and depth of our reputation

and recruitment, ensuring

enrollment success and

sharpening our efforts to

share the Scranton story by

focusing more keenly on

admissions, marketing and

communications, athletics,

and parent and alumni

engagement.

• We will continuously

improve our University by

assessing, reflecting and

acting in ways that are

aligned with our mission

and goals so that we can

better demonstrate the value

of a Scranton education.


rei Solicitudo }

rei Solicitudo }


We will refine financial planning and management practices,

cultivate the talents of our people, and invest in our campus

environment in order to sustain and enhance the University

we have inherited for future generations.

rEIsoLIcItudo


rei solicitudo

stratEgIEs

} We will be sensitive to

the financial pressures

facing students and families

by moderating increases

in tuition and by providing

appropriate financial aid

and scholarships.

• We will achieve our strategic

aspirations and maintain

essential operations through

integrated financial planning,

efficient and sustainable use

of resources, and opportunis-

tic approaches to generating

new revenue that are consis-

tent with our mission.

• We will build a culture

of philanthropy and grant

writing that stirs the broader

campus community to

embrace efforts to secure gifts

and grants. We will successfully

conclude the Pride, Passion,

Promise campaign and

prepare for the next campaign,

in which support for

pedagogy, research and

endowed chairs is a priority.

We will express our deep

gratitude to our many

generous benefactors.

• We will plan for and invest

in technology and facilities,

embracing principles of

environmental sustainability,

that will enhance educational

excellence and serve the

evolving needs of our

students and community.


• We will strive to recruit,

retain, develop and reward

talented faculty and staff,

being recognized as an

employer of choice in our

region and beyond.

• We will invest resources

to promote the well-being

of our students, staff and

faculty, developing support

services and personal growth

opportunities that will help

them meet their individual

and collective needs, and

aid them in their service

of others.

adMInIstrators’ confErEncE 2010-2011

Mrs. Paula K. Barrett ’81Mr. William J. Brady ’83Mrs. ellen h. caseyMr. christopher M. condron ’70 - ChairMr. Thomas J. Davis ’69Lisa Denaples, D.M.D.Mrs. Donna M. Dohertyrev. James Duffy, S.J., M.D. ’88Ms. Mary Beth farrell ’79Mrs. Michele finn

Mr. Matthew Geiger ’81Marie a. George, Ph.D., G’78Mr. Michael P. Glinsky ’66rev. edward Glynn, S.J.rev. Otto hentz, S.J.Joseph J. Kadow, esq. ’78Mr. eugene J. Kane, Sr. ’54Mr. James J. Knipper ’81Mr. Lawrence Lynch ’81Mr. George v. Lynett, Jr.

rev. ryan Maher, S.J.Margaret Q. Mariotti, au.D.Mr. Dennis J. McGonigle ’82Mr. James f. Mullery, Jr. ’86Mr. francis J. Pearn ’83 – Vice ChairKaren L. Pennington, Ph.D. ’76rev. Scott r. Pilarz, S.J.rev. robert e. reiser, S.J.rev. Thomas roach, S.J.Kathleen c. Santora, esq. ’80

Joseph Sebastianelli, esq. ’68Ms. Teresa M. Schafer ’81Patrick W. Shea, esq. ’78Mr. Joseph L. Sorbera, Jr.Mr. Thomas J. Sullivan

Mr. John a. Walsh’66

trustEEs EMErItIarthur J. Kania, esq. ’53hon. Joseph M. McDade

Board of trustEEs 2010-2011

Chair: Mr. Jerome P. DeSanto ’75, G’78, Vice President for Planning & CIODr. harold W. Baillie, Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Gerald Biberman, Professor, Kania School of Management Dr. vincent carilli, Vice President, Student AffairsMs. Patricia a. Day, Vice President, Human Resources Mr. James Devers ’95, Assistant Vice President for Facilities Operations rev. Terrence Devino, S.J., Vice President, University Ministries Ms. robyn Dickinson, Associate Vice President, Planning & Information ManagementDr. Joseph Dreisbach, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Mr. robert B. farrell, esq., Executive Director of Community Relations, General CounselMs. Marise Garofalo ’83, Executive Director of Development Dr. Steven Jones, Associate Provost for Civic Engagement and Academic Mission Mr. Mark Murphy, Assistant Director Utilities & Plant; Staff SenateMr. Joseph Quinn ’11, Student Senate PresidentMr. edward J. Steinmetz ’81, Vice President for Finance/TreasurerDr. robert Waldeck, Professor, College of Arts & Sciences; Faculty Senate PresidentDr. William Wallick G’95, Associate Professor, Panuska College of Professional Studies Dr. W. Jeffrey Welsh, Dean, College of Graduate and Continuing Education Ms. Kathryn yerkes G’04, Director of Planning Mr. Gerald c. Zaboski ’87, G’95, Vice President, Alumni & Public Relations

unIVErsIty PLannIng coMMIttEE 2009-2010

rev. Scott r. Pilarz, S.J., President of the University Dr. harold W. Baillie, Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. vincent carilli, Vice President, Student AffairsMs. Patricia a. Day, Vice President, Human Resources Mr. Jerome P. DeSanto ’75, G’78, Vice President for Planning & CIO Mr. robert B. farrell, esq., General Counsel Dr. Patrick Leahy, Executive Vice President Mr. Thomas Mackinnon, Executive Assistant & Chief of Staff to the President rev. richard G. Malloy, S.J., Vice President, University Ministries Mr. edward J. Steinmetz ’81, Vice President for Finance/TreasurerMr. Gerald c. Zaboski ’87, G’95, Vice President, Alumni & Public Relations

strategic plan 2010-2015

Documents

jesuit university

plan cura personalis

spiritual exercises

university community

strategic planning

new strategic plan

experience of ignatius

strategic directions