Strategic Planning

The TCU Experience

Overview

Chancellor Boschini's Fall Convocation address provides some observations that are important in framing the strategic questions related to the TCU undergraduate experience:

“The Commission (on the Future of TCU), which concluded its work in fall 2000, developed a bold blueprint for taking TCU to the next level of academic distinction and reputation. This strategic planning study involved some 500 community and campus leaders. Its 17 task forces examined University-wide issues and addressed the needs of each school and college. Without a doubt, the work of The Commission raised the aspirations and expectations of the University community as never before. Now we must determine where we are in implementing The Commission's recommendations. Until we do so, we cannot plan TCU's future. It is important to remember, however, that The Commission's recommendations were made in an environment very different from today's — a pre-September 11th world, where the dot-com bubble had yet to burst and the future seemed limitless. That reality has changed. Now we must assess how we can narrow our focus and achieve the objectives that best match our character and capabilities.”

Clearly, the TCU undergraduate experience is at the center of that redefined future. But what is the TCU undergraduate experience? Various University publications refer to that experience in different venues including academic, community, co-curricular, and the global communities. The TCU mission statement -- “ To educate individuals to think and act as ethical leaders and responsible citizens in the global community"— clearly identifies aspects of the TCU undergraduate experience.

However, a definition of the TCU undergraduate experience does not exist. Furthermore, the experience must be discussed from various viewpoints in order to provide the basis from which the future of TCU can be planned and implemented. Therefore, the charge for this sub-committee is to define the TCU undergraduate experience.

Critical questions

• What should be the hallmarks of the TCU undergraduate experience?

• How does the TCU undergraduate experience address the needs of the whole student in the context of the TCU mission statement?

Town Hall Meeting

Below are thoughts from faculty, staff and students who attended the March 31 Town Hall Meeting, "The TCU Experience: What Makes Us Unique?" If you would like to add to these comments or offer new thoughts, please do so by clicking on the discussion forum link located on the lower left hand side of the VIA Web site.

“The hallmark of the TCU experience is providing academic coursework that is linked to theory and practice and provides a rigorous academic program about leadership.”
Diana Newbern, instructor of psychology

“The TCU experience should be seamless. To me what that means is that we need the integration of student affairs and academic affairs. We need to find partnerships both across departments and divisions that contribute to the fulfillment of the mission.”
Eric Cox, assistant director of the leadership center

“It is such a great experience to leave and say ‘I’ve met people who are so different than myself. Not only be able to say that I have met them, but that they are my friends’.”
Marcy Paul, director of Women’s Resource Center

“The most important goal for any student is to be changed when they leave.”
Hilary Estapa, junior habilitation of the deaf major

Strategy Paper

TCU Experience committee

Ralph Carter, AddRan College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Jane Kucko, AddRan College of Humanities & Social Sciences
Larry Adams, Academic Affairs
Barbara Herman, Student Development
Liaison: Don Mills