By NATALIE SACKET
Feature Editor
As Northwestern Oklahoma State University is reaching the conclusion of its current strategic plan, a new plan is now being developed that will lead Northwestern through 2020.
Stephen Reno, Ph.D., discussed with students on Monday to supplement his evaluation of the university, in an effort to help the university to continue to succeed and improve.
“At the end of the day, we want the university to be here and to be doing a good job. We want the university to be known for doing a good job so people will want to come here to study, to teach, and to work,” said Reno.
Northwestern Dean of Students, Calleb Mosburg, places heavy emphasis on the strategic plan, saying, “a lot of things that we do here at the university are based on its strategic plan.”
Reno visited Northwestern five years ago in 2010 to assist in the development of the university’s current strategic plan. Reno is currently aiding with Northwestern’s upcoming plan, which will lead the university to the year 2020.
Reno met with several panels on Monday, including meetings with faculty, staff and student meetings.
“The university is very seriously asking itself right now: What do we need to do to better serve you and those students who will come after you,” said Reno.
The strategic plan will detail significant matters that affect both students and staff, such as where the university should spend its money.
“Should it spend it on people? Should it spend it on buildings? Should it spend it on equipment? Should it spend it on technology? Should it spend it on marketing?” asked Reno. “These are the types of difficult questions we are having to ask ourselves.”
Over a dozen Northwestern students met with Reno Monday afternoon to speak about what they like about the campus and what they think could be improved.
The students pointed out that they appreciate the student to professor ratio and the warm community atmosphere on campus.
Constructive criticism focused on the tired infrastructure of the campus, struggles for international students and the perception of the university in neighboring communities.
Reno will take the comments contributed by students into consideration in his evaluation of the university and will attempt to implement solution to the issues in the Northwestern strategic plan.