Strategic Goal 4- Action Items

IV.  Align university resources - human, fiscal, and physical - with strategic priorities.

  1. Develop a marketing, recruitment, and retention plan that identifies realistic and sustainable goals for first-year, transfer, on-line, adult, graduate, and international students, and the resources necessary to implement this plan. 

    • Action Item 6

      Frostburg State University sustains a campus culture that respects differences in people and ideas, values inclusion and diversity, and promotes cultural competence.

      Supports Strategic Goals IV.A

      Responsible Division/Vice President: Student Affairs/Dr. Travis

      Contributors: Faculty; Staff; Academic Affairs/Dr. Throop; Enrollment Management/Ms. Cash

      2023 Outcome: All FSU graduates demonstrate respect for differences, and an increase in their cultural competency.

      Notes: Recognizing the increasing diversity of the FSU student body, faculty and staff, FSU will create greater opportunities for inclusion and public celebration of diversity.

    • Progress 2016-2018

       

      Action Items & Allocation of Resources  

      During the summer 2017 planning retreat, several strategic initiatives were identified for funding. Funds were set aside to a) focus on increased marketing and recruitment efforts; b) begin a regional assessment of career opportunities for graduates; c) study the feasibility of advising centers; and, d) use analytics to improve retention/graduation rates and budgeting/resource allocation.

      Funded Action Items

      a. Marketing and recruiting: Approximately $75,000 was allocated to additional initiatives that included:

      • a narrated campus virtual tour
      • additional student connection opportunities through Hobsons 
      • advertising at bus stops at feeder schools where students use public transportation
      • expanded targeted social media advertising in the regional resident zone
      • Bobcat Boxes sent to alumni who are teachers

      b. Regional career opportunities: No University funds required.

      • utilizing funds from the governor to establish a VP for Regional Development 

      c. Advising centers feasibility

      d. Analytics for recruitment and retention: No University funds required.

      • utilizing HelioCampus, a higher education analytics platform that solves admissions, student retention and recruiting problems.


    • Action Item 10

      FSU is promoted through traditional and emerging market media to the target segments identified in the recruitment plan that highlights successes, services, and features appropriate to each target segment.

      Supports Strategic Goals III.C.IV.A

      Responsible Division/Vice President: Enrollment Management/Ms. Cash; University Advancement, Mr. Short

      2023 Outcome: Marketing artifacts are visible and recognizable to targeted segments of the regional and state population.

      Notes: Focus is two-fold. Primary focus is to increase FSU awareness among high school students, transfers, and working adults. The secondary focus is increasing public and alumni knowledge of FSU accomplishments.

    • Progress 2016-2018

       

      Action Items & Allocation of Resources  

      During the summer 2017 planning retreat, several strategic initiatives were identified for funding. Funds were set aside to a) focus on increased marketing and recruitment efforts; b) begin a regional assessment of career opportunities for graduates; c) study the feasibility of advising centers; and, d) use analytics to improve retention/graduation rates and budgeting/resource allocation.

      Funded Action Items

      a. Marketing and recruiting: Approximately $75,000 was allocated to additional initiatives that included:

      • a narrated campus virtual tour
      • additional student connection opportunities through Hobsons 
      • advertising at bus stops at feeder schools where students use public transportation
      • expanded targeted social media advertising in the regional resident zone
      • Bobcat Boxes sent to alumni who are teachers

      b. Regional career opportunities: No University funds required.

      • utilizing funds from the governor to establish a VP for Regional Development 

      c. Advising centers feasibility

      d. Analytics for recruitment and retention: No University funds required.

      • utilizing HelioCampus, a higher education analytics platform that solves admissions, student retention and recruiting problems.
  1. Ensure academic programs meet student and workforce expectations.

    • Action Item 9

      Frostburg State University has a recruitment plan that incorporates student demands and regional and state workforce needs for three target groups – the high school graduate, the college transfer student, and the working adult.

      Responsible Division/Vice President: Enrollment Management/Ms. Cash

      Contributors: Faculty; Academic Affairs/Dr. Throop

      2023 Outcomes: The plan, based on appropriate analytics, shows improvements in student recruitment over the time period and job placement data reflect success in addressing regional and statewide workforce demands.

      Notes: Recognizing the increasing diversity of the FSU student body, faculty and staff, FSU will create greater opportunities for inclusion and public celebration of diversity. 

    • Progress 2016-2018

       

      Action Items & Allocation of Resources  

      During the summer 2017 planning retreat, several strategic initiatives were identified for funding. Funds were set aside to a) focus on increased marketing and recruitment efforts; b) begin a regional assessment of career opportunities for graduates; c) study the feasibility of advising centers; and, d) use analytics to improve retention/graduation rates and budgeting/resource allocation.

      Funded Action Items

      a. Marketing and recruiting: Approximately $75,000 was allocated to additional initiatives that included:

      • a narrated campus virtual tour
      • additional student connection opportunities through Hobsons 
      • advertising at bus stops at feeder schools where students use public transportation
      • expanded targeted social media advertising in the regional resident zone
      • Bobcat Boxes sent to alumni who are teachers

      b. Regional career opportunities: No University funds required.

      • utilizing funds from the governor to establish a VP for Regional Development 

      c. Advising centers feasibility

      d. Analytics for recruitment and retention: No University funds required.

      • utilizing HelioCampus, a higher education analytics platform that solves admissions, student retention and recruiting problems.
  1. Implement a transparent budgeting model that addresses university priorities and needs.

    • Action Item 11

      Frostburg State University’s budgeting model is transparent and based on defined performance metrics with resources provided to close the gap or exceed critical benchmarks with peer institutions.

      Responsible Division/Vice President: Admin & Finance/Mr. Wyden

      Contributors: Academic Affairs/Dr. Throop; Student Affairs/Dr. Travis; University Advancement/Mr. Short; Regional Engagement/Mr. Delia; Enrollment Management/Ms. Cash

      2023 Outcomes: The budgeting model is understood by university members and is linked to effective use of all resources to support the student success and the university’s mission.

      Notes:

      Three initiatives are proposed:
      1. A revised budgeting process better aligned with performance and university priorities;
      2. Continued attention to enhancing communication and transparency about the budget; and,
      3. Eliminating the salary gap between FSU and peer institutions for faculty and staff. 
    • Progress 2016-2018

       

      Action Items & Allocation of Resources  

      During the summer 2017 planning retreat, several strategic initiatives were identified for funding. Funds were set aside to a) focus on increased marketing and recruitment efforts; b) begin a regional assessment of career opportunities for graduates; c) study the feasibility of advising centers; and, d) use analytics to improve retention/graduation rates and budgeting/resource allocation.

      Funded Action Items

      a. Marketing and recruiting: Approximately $75,000 was allocated to additional initiatives that included:

      • a narrated campus virtual tour
      • additional student connection opportunities through Hobsons 
      • advertising at bus stops at feeder schools where students use public transportation
      • expanded targeted social media advertising in the regional resident zone
      • Bobcat Boxes sent to alumni who are teachers

      b. Regional career opportunities: No University funds required.

      • utilizing funds from the governor to establish a VP for Regional Development 

      c. Advising centers feasibility

      d. Analytics for recruitment and retention: No University funds required.

      • utilizing HelioCampus, a higher education analytics platform that solves admissions, student retention and recruiting problems.


    • Action Item 12

      FSU provides professional development opportunities for its faculty and staff to ensure they are current in their respective field or area of service.

      Responsible Division/Vice President: Admin & Finance/Mr. Wyden

      Contributors: Academic Affairs/Dr. Throop; Student Affairs/Dr. Travis; University Advancement/Mr. Short; Regional Engagement/Mr. Delia; Enrollment Management/Ms. Cash

      2023 Outcome: Each faculty and staff member can articulate their career goals and is evaluated on his or her plan to achieve those goals.

      Notes: This action item requires an increased awareness and support for each employee’s professional development plan. Outcomes should include 1) improved employee morale; 2) improved service to clients and consumers; and, 3) greater internal advancement and promotion opportunities within FSU.

    • Progress 2016-2018

       

      Action Items & Allocation of Resources  

      During the summer 2017 planning retreat, several strategic initiatives were identified for funding. Funds were set aside to a) focus on increased marketing and recruitment efforts; b) begin a regional assessment of career opportunities for graduates; c) study the feasibility of advising centers; and, d) use analytics to improve retention/graduation rates and budgeting/resource allocation.

      Funded Action Items

      a. Marketing and recruiting: Approximately $75,000 was allocated to additional initiatives that included:

      • a narrated campus virtual tour
      • additional student connection opportunities through Hobsons 
      • advertising at bus stops at feeder schools where students use public transportation
      • expanded targeted social media advertising in the regional resident zone
      • Bobcat Boxes sent to alumni who are teachers

      b. Regional career opportunities: No University funds required.

      • utilizing funds from the governor to establish a VP for Regional Development 

      c. Advising centers feasibility

      d. Analytics for recruitment and retention: No University funds required.

      • utilizing HelioCampus, a higher education analytics platform that solves admissions, student retention and recruiting problems.
  1. Provide professional development opportunities that empower faculty and staff success.