Board approves energized Eyes High strategy

On Friday, March 17, 2017 the Board of Governors of the University of Calgary approved the final draft of the energized Eyes High strategy, which will guide the university forward from 2017-22. This followed similar approval at the General Faculties Council on March 9,  2017, and was the final step in the document’s journey through the university’s governance process.

From September to December 2016, students, faculty, staff, Board and Senate members, alumni and community members responded to the university’s request to help energize the Eyes High strategy for the coming five years and shape the future of the university. They provided feedback by participating in focus groups, completing an online survey, visiting roving booths across campus, completing weekly polls, and submitting written comments. Over three months, more than 10,000 points of engagement were recorded — 4,000+ of those involved survey completion and/or focus group participation. Summaries of the research results were released in January.

What has changed?

The consultations highlighted broad support from the university community for the three foundational commitments outlined in the original Eyes High strategy (published in 2011): sharpen focus on research and scholarship; enrich the quality and breadth of learning; and integrate the university with the community. “We remain dedicated to these commitments,” says President Elizabeth Cannon, “but we have updated them based on feedback we received from our community. We learned that we needed to enhance them by weaving in an emphasis on the rich and multifaceted student experience we provide and the inclusive, curiosity-driven and respectful campus culture we are building.”  The overarching strategy statement was also updated and the supporting factors under each foundational commitment revised. 

What happens next?

Now that the Board of Governors has approved the refined language, the document will be prepared for publication and formally introduced on April 28, 2017 when we wrap up our 50th Anniversary year and kick off our next half-century. From there, the energized strategy will cascade throughout the university to serve as a guide to planning at all levels. “We are excited to begin the next stage of our Eyes High journey,” adds President Cannon. “It is an evolution of the path we have been on since 2011 and will carry us through to 2022. The refreshed strategy kicks off a newly energized phase of our development and sets us up for success over the next half-century.”

The Board-approved draft is available online now.