Process and Timelines

Collaborative Planning Process

The U of S is currently in its second planning cycle for 2008/09-2011/12 and in May 2008, approved its Second Integrated Plan (2008-2012).

In each planning cycle, colleges (e.g. College of Arts & Science) and units (e.g. Financial Services Division) submit individual college/unit plans to the Provost’s Office. Several committees review each college/unit plan and feedback given to the Dean or Associate Vice-President of each college and unit. The content of the university’s overall plan builds on the ideas from the college/unit plans, as well as the guiding Strategic Directions (2002) planning conversations across campus, resources and infrastructure, and changing social trends. The university-wide integrated plan is reviewed multiple times by the campus community, and then approved by the university’s governing bodies (Council, Senate, Board of Governors). After approval, the plan is set into motion.

Four-Year Planning Cycles

The U of S Integrated Planning process is a four-year cycle. Planning for the next cycle occurs in the last year of the previous cycle. Continuity is provided by the Strategic Directions and Foundational Documents, which set university-wide planning goals. The chart below depicts the timeframe and cycles.

Each cycle is distinct from the others with its own integrated plan, Multi-Year Operating Budget, capital plan, planning parameters, implementation and communications plans.

First Planning Cycle:	May 1, 2003 to April 30, 2007
Transition Year:	May 1, 2007 to April 30, 2008
Second Planning Cycle:	May 1, 2008 to April 30, 2012
Third Planning Cycle:	May 1, 2012 to April 30, 2016
Fourth Planning Cycle:	May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2020
Fifth Planning Cycle:	May 1, 2020 to April 30, 2024

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