Strategic Conversations

Strategic Conversations

Friday, October 27

8:30am - 5:30pm
Caplan Recital Hall, 17FL Terra

On This Page
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Friday, October 27 for Strategic Conversations. We are working on gathering all of the great content that was generated, and organizing it to share back with the community. We will notify all faculty and staff once content is ready to be shared.

Faculty & Staff Strategic Conversations
Friday, October 27
8:30am - 5:30pm, Lunch provided.
Caplan Recital Hall, 17FL Terra

Join us for a day of strategic conversations. The purpose of our conversations is to foster options, possibilities, ideas and questions. We will discuss the conditions we find at UArts and will propose a future ideal state that we would like to achieve. Please come with an open mind and a sharp intellect. Be willing to think and analyze a situation from various points of view. Be willing to think of all the opportunities that will answer the question of "how do we get there?" 

Sessions will run all day, and afternoon conversations will build on the work of the morning groups. Those who are able are encouraged to attend all day, though participation in morning-only or afternoon-only sessions will be possible.

Can't make it in person? No problem. We will be offering a livestream of the morning kick-off and afternoon wrap-up sessions. We will also use a digital audience engagement tool allowing for those who can't attend in person to still contribute to the conversations of the day. Bookmark this page and return on Friday, October 27 to engage. No need to RSVP if you plan to engage online only.

We will begin at 8:30am, take lunch at 11:30am, and wrap up by 5:30pm.

RSVP by Monday, Oct 23 

Please note: the university will remain open for a full day of business. Faculty and staff should consult within their departments and with their supervisor to determine what attendance will be feasible. Staff are encouraged to organize a ‘skeleton crew’ to cover basic needs in order to maximize participation. Participation in the strategic conversations is a work day activity.

TIME ACTIVITY

8:30am
 

 Check-in & Breakfast
We'll begin in the 17th floor Lobby, Terra Hall
 

9:00am
(livestream)

 Welcome & Setting the Stage
An overview of the day and strategic planning process.
 

10:00am

 

 

 SWOT Analysis in small groups
A SWOT is the process of documenting an organization's Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. We'll divide into small groups and tackle topics university-wide.
 
11:30am
 		 Lunch & Review of SWOT
 

12:30pm

 

 

 Surfacing exercise
Based the SWOTs and working in small groups, we'll identify and 'surface' the opportunities that have the most potential to positively impact the future of the university, and use the 5-Why exercise to refine them. 
 

1:30pm
 

 

 

 Solving exercise
Next - and still in our small groups - we'll explore both incremental and radical methods of implementing change, and recommend next steps to take action on the opportunities we identify.
 
3:00pm
 		 Short coffee break
 
3:15pm
(livestream)

 		 Summary presentations by each group
Each group will present on the opportunities surfaced, and recommended next steps. 
 
4:30pm
(livestream)


 

Wrap-up & Next Steps
We'll discuss findings as a large group and how the work of the day will be captured and utilized in writing a strategic plan. We'll also share upcoming opportunities for further involvement.

We encourage all participants to prepare for our discussions in advance. Below you'll find some framing questions to consider, as well as resources for understanding the activities of the day. We look forward to discussing with you on Friday, October 27th!

Questions to Consider: 

  • Why should a prospective student choose our program over one offered by our key competitors?
  • What is the role of the academic structure on a student's choice to attend?
  • How does the physical campus impact a student's choice to attend? What are key urban issues? What are universal issues?
  • How do co-curricular activities compliment a UArts education? What value do they provide?
  • What is the role of faculty work, research and creative work on a student's choice to attend? 
  • How is our location in center city Philadelphia significant to our identity?
  • What important disciplinary changes are impacting degree programs?

Resources 
Understanding a SWOT Activity: 

Understanding the 5-Why Activity: 

Understanding Radical & Incremental Innovation Methods: