Langara CoLLege
StrategiC PLan
2009 - 2013
President’s Message
5
Mission, Values, and Strategic Priorities
Vision
Langara College
Strategic Plan
7
9
Opportunities for Learners 11
inStitutionaL CaPaCitY 13
StrategiC PLanning 17 tiMeLine 2009
rePutation
15
CaMPuS WaYfinder 18
President’s Message Growing Our Future Langara College has a strong reputation for quality education that is accessible to the communities we serve. As evidenced by record enrolments in 2009, there are a growing number of learners who are taking advantage of what Langara has to offer. Our many alumni have gone onto further education, fulfilling careers, and are active citizens across our region and beyond. During the past year, over 400 members of the Langara College community took part in a strategic planning process to establish priorities for the next phase of the College’s development. The new vision for the College focuses on further establishing Langara as the leading undergraduate college in the region by building on its existing strengths, while growing new programs and services. To achieve this vision, Langara will focus on three key areas over the next several years as outlined in this plan. First and foremost, are the development and implementation of relevant
programs and services that support our increasingly diverse student body. This includes the provision of necessary resources to support these priorities and initiatives. Secondly, and fundamental to our success, is the need to continue to attract and support leading faculty, staff, and administration to work towards this vision. Finally, we need to build on our regional reputation with the goal to support learners and graduates, fundraise, recruit, and attract the required resources necessary to move forward. With the implementation of this plan, Langara will continue to grow and provide new and innovative ways to serve our learners and communities. Thank you for taking the time to read this strategic plan. We look forward to your participation and support as we begin Growing Our Future. David Ross, Ph.D. President and CEO
Langara College celebrated the official opening of the Students’ union Building (SuB) and ‘C’ Building with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on november 20, 2009.
Vision
Board Chair’s Message
Langara is the leading undergraduate college in British Columbia. Learners choose Langara College because we are well-known and recognized for providing exceptional learning opportunities that lead to future education and career advancement. The opportunities we provide include: •• Program credentials ranging from citations to baccalaureate degrees. All of our students have the opportunity to complete a degree either at Langara College or a partner institution. •• A wide variety of university, career, and continuing studies programs that are innovative and fulfill the needs of a broad range of learners. •• A track record of student success in education completion and career advancement. •• Quality student services that are innovative and recognized for supporting learners with their educational and career goals. •• Experiences and activities that actively engage students and enhance their development and learning. And finally, Langara College is a growing community where we value the dedication and commitment of all our employees and recognize our responsibility to actively contribute to fostering sustainable communities through education.
“Langara College has a strong reputation as a provider of quality education. The Board of Governors is proud of the commitment of our faculty and staff in delivering exceptional education experiences for our students.” David Chiang Board of Governors Chair
as Langara College begins to implement its new strategic plan, i anticipate education Council will be key to ensuring the College continues to provide innovative, relevant, quality regular studies programs and courses. Council supports the continued development of university-level, academically rigorous degrees and programs. to support learners over the longer term, Council will continue to develop effective policies and establish standards and processes, including on-going program reviews.� – Laura Cullen, education Council Chair
Mission
Board Vice-chair’s Message
Langara College provides accessible undergraduate education opportunities that meet the needs of our diverse community. This means the offering of a variety of programs and services focused on university, career, and continuing studies at an undergraduate level.
Values •• Student-Focused Decisions are made with learners in mind. •• Collegial Open and inclusive discussion in a respectful environment. •• Innovative New ideas are welcomed and integrated where possible. •• Accessible Programs and services are accessible to learners across our community.
Strategic Priorities To help us achieve our vision for Langara, over the next five years we will focus on the following strategic priorities: I. Opportunities for Learners II. Institutional Capacity III. Reputation
“Langara has a rich tradition of providing meaningful and topical programs for a broad cross section of the local community. Smaller class sizes, an engaging focus of program delivery, and first class facilities ensure the best possible educational experience for students.” Dennis Dineen Board of Governors Vice-Chair
as a key component of our planning commitments, i was heartened by the focus concerned with opportunities for Learners. the degree Partnerships will help with recruitment and retention and efficient completion of the first half of an undergraduate degree.� – Margaret Heldman, acting dean of instruction
I. Opportunities for Learners Learning is at the centre of what Langara College does. We create opportunities for learners that prepare them for meaningful careers, future education, and active citizenship in our communities and beyond. To achieve these learning priorities, we will focus on the following:
A. Programming Offer a comprehensive mix of programs involving a variety of credential levels with the goal of all Langara students having the opportunity to complete their baccalaureate degree at Langara or through a well-articulated and established laddering opportunity at a partner institution.
B. Learner Success Develop and implement a strategic enrolment management program that focuses on student recruitment and retention, and student success in meeting their educational and career
objectives. Included in this will be an expanding student life program that sets the standard for best practices in an urban college setting.
C. Flexibility Deliver programs and services which are offered in ways that address a variety of student needs. This includes increased online delivery options, programming targeted at mid-career learners, postgraduate offerings, a wider of variety of course scheduling options, and other innovative approaches that support learners in reaching their goals.
D. International Develop international opportunities that allow learners, employees, and Langara community members to gain international perspective and experience. This is central to success in the interactive, global society we live in. This means that Langara will actively participate in recruitment, exchanges, partnerships, programs, and other international initiatives relevant to our learners, employees, and communities.
along the way, we have to remain open to new ideas, be willing to take risks with new ways of doing things, and yet still retain what is best about Langara. in short, we have to be learners. as eric Hoffer said, ‘in a time of drastic change, it is the learners who inherit the future. the learned usually find themselves equipped to live in a world that no longer exists.’ ” – Kevin Paul, dean of Student Support Services
II. Institutional Capacity People, facilities, and additional resources are all fundamental to better serving the Langara community. To continue to grow Langara, we will focus on these resource priorities:
A. People Continue to develop career opportunities and a working environment that values and supports our current employees and allows Langara to be known as the preferred employer for faculty, staff, and administrators. This will be accomplished by providing a variety of career options and opportunities that reflect changing requirements for all groups. Through this, the institution will also address succession planning, leadership development, and professional advancement that supports the College and its employees, and the recruitment and retention of the best individuals across all positions.
B. Facilities Develop the facilities required for the delivery of our current programming and services, taking into consideration the ongoing growth and development of the institution. This means that we have the required space to support our learners, employees, communities, and the opportunities we offer.
C. Technology Establish technology as a strategic imperative of the institution. This will be reflected in the ongoing implementation of technology in a timely way that keeps Langara on pace with advances in educational technology, communications, and other initiatives relevant to post-secondary education.
D. Financial Resources Continue to be a fiscally responsible organization that is financially resilient and sustainable. This means there will be an ongoing expansion of current revenue generation activities in order to provide the financial flexibility required for innovation, development, and the ability to take advantage of new opportunities. This requires the development of a college advancement program that provides the fundraising capacity for facilities development, scholarships and bursaries for students, and other needs as required.
langara thinKs green
Langara College aims to foster and provide leadership to create more environmentally sound, socially just, and economically vibrant communities. green highlights include: • designing our new buildings to Leed (Leadership in energy and environmental design) gold standards. these buildings include the Library/Classroom Building, ‘C’ Building, and the Students’ union Building • offering biodegradable consumer food packaging, plates, and utensils made from compostable materials like sugarcane, cornstarch, and bamboo • Maintaining an on-site worm compost for over 10 years in summer 2009, Langara College hired an energy manager through the BC Hydro energy manager program. the energy manager will help Langara carry on its mandate to become more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. “over the past 10 years, Langara has completed audits, retrofits and voluntarily designed new buildings to high environmental standards. i am excited to work with an institution which understands the benefits of energy management.” – Patricia Baker, Langara College energy Manager
III. Reputation Langara will be well-known regionally. The institution will also be known nationally and beyond, in circles that support the institution’s vision and strategic priorities. The college will build on its local reputation with the goal of supporting fundraising, graduates, recruitment, and attracting the required resources to build towards our vision. To achieve this, we will focus on the following:
A. Communications and Marketing Establish a leading communications and marketing department that is integrated across the institution and is focused on supporting the strategic priorities of the College. This will be accomplished through an integrated approach that includes a dynamic and interactive website, a renewed Langara brand, timely communications strategies, and the creative use of a variety of media and support materials that reflect the institution’s vision, advantages, and priorities.
B. Community Involvement and Partnerships Expand community involvement by engaging a broader base of community members in a variety of College activities. This will increase the College’s value to its communities while expanding their understanding of what Langara has to offer. The College will also expand its partnerships with leading community groups, educational institutions, and employers. This partnership network will be local, national, and international in scale, yet focused and reflective of the strategic priorities.
C. Advocacy Develop an advocacy program that allows for dialogue with community leaders in support of the College’s opportunities and challenges. This engagement needs to take place on a regular and as-needed basis and will be accomplished through planned meetings, regular communications, and an ongoing effort to place the College’s priorities in front of key decisionmakers.
D. Sustainability Support sustainability initiatives as they relate to education and an urban college setting. This means the communication of sustainability efforts while advancing new initiatives where feasible.
Strategic Planning Timeline 2009 January The College begins a strategic planning process to clarify its mission and vision. The independent consulting firm Kwela Leadership and Talent Management is retained to assist with planning. February 9th The first meeting of the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee is held. The committee’s mandate is to provide the College executive with advice and direction in the development of a comprehensive strategic plan. The Strategic Planning Advisory Committee members included: •• David Ross President (Chair) •• Wayne Decle CS Manager, Creative and Applied Arts, Langara College Administrators’ Association (LCAA) •• Julia Denholm English Department, Langara Faculty Association (LFA)
•• Deanna Douglas Vice-President, Administration and Finance •• Martin Gerson Dean of Instruction •• Reba Noel Aboriginal Education, CUPE Local 15 - Vancouver Municipal, Education and Community Workers (VMECW) •• Peter Norwood Department Chair, Bachelor of Business Administration •• Ajay Patel Department Chair, Human Kinetics •• Ken Pawlak Division Chair, Creative Arts, Social Service and Education •• Sheryl Song Student February 10th to 16th The strategic planning survey is conducted. 245 college employees participate.
February 16th to 25th Survey data is compiled and contextual analysis is done by Kwela Leadership and Talent Management to identify major themes. February 26th A survey summary report is distributed to the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee. Survey results identified three key priorities: •• Improving branding, marketing, and promotion of the College •• Exploring new programming and delivery methods to meet the needs of the local market •• Enhancing human resources through more effective employee recruiting/retention and succession planning for an aging faculty February 27th and 28th The College Board participates in a strategic planning retreat.
May 4th and 5th The draft of the Strategic Plan is distributed to the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee. Committee reviews questions for the focus group as well as the planning process. May 6th The Strategic Planning Survey Summary is distributed college-wide. A draft of the Strategic Plan is distributed college-wide. Employees are invited to participate in focus groups to provide additional feedback. May 12th and 13th Four focus groups (approximately 50 individuals per group) are held. A broad cross-section of Langara College stakeholders participate including employee groups, students, donors, and key business partners.
Participants are divided into small working groups and asked three questions relative to the proposed strategic vision, mission and values, and institutional priorities: •• Question 1: What have you heard? •• Question 2: How does it strike your sense of identification? Do you feel you can own it? If no, how would it have to change for you have a sense of ownership? •• Question 3: What role can you play to help us implement the Strategic Plan? June 19th The revised draft of the Strategic Plan, which incorporated feedback received from the focus groups, is presented to the Strategic Advisory Committee. June 25th The Strategic Plan is finalized and approved by the College Board.
‘C’ Building
Library
Gymnasium
Daycare
CaMPus Wayfinder ‘a’ Building features and Services: alumni relations, anthropology Labs, atM, Biology Help Centre, Biology Labs, Cafeteria, Chemistry Help Centre, Chemistry Labs, Classrooms, College advancement, Computer Labs, Continuing Studies, Cooperative education, CSiS Help Centre, design formation, employee Lounge, faculty offices, fine arts Labs, geography Labs, Homestay, information & educational technology Services (ietS), information Kiosk, instructional Media Services (iMS), international education, Journalism Labs, Lecture Halls, Meeting rooms, newberry Hall, nursing Labs, Photocopiers, Photoimaging Labs, Physics Help Centre, Physics Labs, Publishing Labs, Security, Studio 58, theatre arts Labs, tim Hortons.
‘B’ Building features and Services: Building Services, Classrooms, Computer Labs, Counselling, deans of instruction offices, disability Services, division Chair offices, facilities and Purchasing, faculty offices, finance, financial aid, Health Services, Human resources, Lockers, Meeting rooms, reception office, registrar’s office, Services for aboriginal Students, Student accounts, u-pass, Wireless internet. ‘C’ Building features and Services: BC College and institute Library Services, Boardroom, Bookstore, Classrooms, College Board, College executive offices, Communications and Marketing, Computer Labs, education
‘A’ Building
‘B’ Building
Langara Students’ Union Building
technology Centre, Math/Stats activity Centre, Meeting rooms, Multi-Purpose room, Wireless internet, Writing Centre. daycare features and Services: toddler and 3-5 year old programs, outdoor Playgrounds, Playrooms, resource room. gymnasium features and Services: Changing rooms, g103 and g109 Classrooms, gymnasium, Lockers, Showers.
Langara Students’ union Building features and Services: accounting Services, Bicycle Station, Binding and faxing Services, Book Buyback, dave Pearson native Student Centre, dukes restaurant, dissident Café, Jumper Cables, Kitchenette, Langara Students’ union office (LSu), Lockers, LSu Health & dental Plan, ombudsperson, Student Lounge Space, Wireless internet. Library features and Services: Classrooms, Computer Labs, Library, Media rooms, Meeting rooms, Private group Study areas, Starbucks, Study Spaces, a variety of study resources, Wireless internet.
www.langara.bc.ca Copyright Š 2010 Langara College Edited, designed and produced by Langara College Communications & Marketing Services (CMS)