University of Regina Launches Strategic Planning Process

News Release Release Date: April 4, 2014 10:00 a.m.

Today, the University of Regina launched the planning and consultation process for the University’s next five-year strategic plan, to be released in fall 2014.

“I am proud of what we have accomplished in the last five years toward fulfilling the objectives we set out together in our existing strategic plan,” said University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vianne Timmons. “For example, our enrolments have reached record levels, our campus is more diverse than at any time in our history, and we have enhanced the level of financial and institutional support as well as the number of experiential and international learning opportunities we provide for our students. Renewing our strategic direction with input from as many stakeholders as possible will help us build on this momentum, strengthening our commitment to excellence in teaching, research and public service.”

Leading the strategic planning process will be Dr. Joseph Piwowar, Head of the Geography and Environmental Studies Department at the University of Regina and Canada Research Chair in Geomatics and Sustainability. Dr. Piwowar will chair a fourteen-member facilitation team representing a broad cross section of key groups at the University including faculty members, students, staff and alumni. 

The process will begin this month with a number of facilitated consultation sessions on campus to help gain input from as many students, staff, faculty and alumni as possible. In May, the facilitation team will continue the process by conducting meetings with key external stakeholders, including the Government of Saskatchewan, the City of Regina, Wascana Centre Authority, school boards and other community partners. Additional avenues of input that will be used during this process include online surveys, blog discussions and written submissions.

The previous five-year strategic plan – entitled mâmawohkamâtowin: Our Work, Our People, Our Communities – was developed in 2009 and expires this year. University accomplishments during this time include:

• Five consecutive years of enrolment growth, bringing the student population to an all-time high of more than 13,600;
• 77% growth in the number of international students;
• 41% growth in the number of self-declared Aboriginal students;
• The development and implementation of the UR Guarantee program;
• An increase of more than $2 million in the amount of scholarship funding paid to students; and
• An increase of more than $3 million in annual donor support for University programs.

“We have a lot to celebrate as an institution, but going forward, we still have a great deal to do as one of Canada’s leading comprehensive universities,” President Timmons added. “I am confident that through their work – and most importantly, with the input of the University of Regina community and its many supporters – Dr. Piwowar and the facilitation team will provide our University with a strong vision for the future that we can realize together for the benefit of everyone in our province.”

Updates on the process and timelines can be found at: www.uregina.ca/strategic-plan.