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Strategic Plan College vs. University
My daughter is in Grade 12 and is interested in going to University in Ontario so we are driving to Toronto tomorrow as most of the Universities in Ontario will be represented at the Convention Centre.
My son has expressed interest in going to College as opposed to University and one he has singled out is Fanshawe College in London, ON. London also is home to the University of Western Ontario. Both are well recognized institutions.
I decided to compare their Strategic plans. Fanshawe's plan can be accessed at http://www.fanshawec.ca/assets/pas/plan2008.pdf The Western plan can be accessed at http://www.uwo.ca/pup/stratplan/
Quite frankly, I was shocked at the difference between the two. Realistically, one would think that there are potential students and parents of potential students (makes me a stakeholder) who may look at these sites and plans in depth in order to make quality decisions about where to invest their time, effort, and money in order to begin the journey to quality education.
That being said, would not a portion of the philosophy about these plans be marketing for the purposes of recruitment?
Both sites and plans have vision and mission statements. Western incorporates both into one.
I thought that the overall Fanshawe plan and their vision was professionally done. It provides an Executive Summary, discusses their successes achieved, and talks about their challenges and emerging issues. Fanshawe is committed to providing a workplace where employees are proud to contribute and grow. Overall, the plan and their vision impressed me as it described an organization that desires to contribute and grow.
I did not get the same feeling from the University of Western Ontario. Their plan states that this was a document about change and that a true university is in perpetual transition. Their transition appears to be budgetary challenges. Budget seemed to be the key word in their plan. If this plan was tagged then budget would definitely be the key word.
Western is struggling with maintaining academic excellence in the face of budgetary restraint. I found their plan to be open, candid, and honest, but the overall impression I felt after I reviewed it was that Western is not an institute that would be a good investment for my daughter when it comes to continuing her education.
I wonder if we will get the same feeling when we speak with them at the convention centre tomorrow?
Am I wrong in thinking that a plan should really offer a positive vision?
Cheers,
Al
Comments
Hi Elenor,
Thank you for your excellent response.
I took note of the portion about the button to access the IT help desk but did not comment on it because of the length of my blog so I'm glad you brought that up.
I note that some of the Ontario colleges are making it mandatory for learners to have laptop computers in the class with them.
Cheers,
Al
Hi Al,
I enjoyed reading your post. I went to the University of Western Ontario in London -- as well -- as many others -- and your impression of Western U hits the mark.
Recently I'm wondering about Ontario's economic situation -- as on the news it said how Ontario was having serious challenges -- as compared to Alberta. I think the financial challenges are everywhere -- and it is only one factor.
Sometimes the smaller colleges are better in which to start out. I took some classes at Western that were so large I couldn't see the information clearly -- and some professors were approachable -- and would direct me to a tutor and some were very rude -- and did not like students who asked questions. One of my brothers went to Western for a year -- at the same time as me. We both did not go back, but I think my brother was not bothered by the big classes -- he just was a self starter. Later Western offered him an honourary degree -- but he did not accept it -- as he did not see the point.
A lot of your daughter's decision is based on her values and style of learning.
How did it go? Jo Ann
Hi Jo Ann,
To answer the easier question, my daughter has narrowed the selection process down to 4 universities, Wilfred Laurier, Brock, Western and Carlton. In order to help her with her decision we will be attending their open houses during the next month or so.
The funding question and "crisis" that all educational establishments are making us aware of is real, they are getting less government funding.
I don't profess to know a lot about this topic but up until recently my wife worked at the University of Waterloo as a fundraiser. She travelled across North America because she worked for the Math department. She called on corporations like Microsoft and others to solicit their corporate donations. I believe Microsoft contributed $5 million. A private sponsor donated $25 million a few years ago.
Again, I am not an expert in this field but I believe all Universities have fundraisers in their employ to offset the reduction in government funding.
Cheers,
Al
Hi Al,
Thanks Al for this informative and thought-provoking post about your daughter's choices (Wilfred Laurier, Brock, Western and Carlton), your wife's work in terms of fundraising, and the financial fund raising realities of universitites. Those donations are crucial to these departments -- I imagine.
My son is really into math and after U of A -- thinks of going to the Math department at Waterloo U. He will apply to go to the Physics Camp (with some math) at Waterloo next summer -- offered to 16 year olds and up with good physic marks -- Highschool students. Waterloo University has an outstanding math department, I believe.
I think that with the drop of the 700 billion dollar bailout -- there will likely be a lot of "hurting" universities over the next while -- even in Canada -- since there will likely be some spill over. I think reality hits big time.
However I also think that lifelong learning will be a major help to many people who will need new jobs in a changing market.
Jo Ann