The Online Reflector

The Vision 2030 strategic planning process continues to unfold, gaining participation through interactve idea sessions. Its goal is to produce a document stating where the university wants to be in 18 years.

Four task forces are addressing immediate concerns, drawing boards were set up and 11 separate conversational events have taken place among faculty, staff, students and alumni.

According to University of Indianapolis President Robert Manuel, the reception of this process has been tremendous. He said the quality of participation is leading to helpful input through brainstorming and dreaming together.

“I’m really happy with how it’s turning out and grateful for the community,” Manuel said.

Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Kory Vitangeli said that many ideas are being shared. People with varied connections to the university are becoming interested and getting involved, she said.

To begin, canvases were displayed in Schwitzer Student Center for individuals to write and draw their ideas.

Junior exercise science pre-physical therapy major SarahAnne Pelkey said the drawing boards were great tools to ask students to participate.

Occupational therapy graduate student, and mother of an undergraduate student at UIndy, Joann Richardson, said going to one of the Vision 2030 conversations was the first time that she had done anything like it. She said it was a positive experience, and she enjoyed the opportunity to dream about the future.

“I am very, very thankful for a president who was willing to invest so much time and energy into having a vision. It [being President] is not just a title, he wants to take UIndy to the next level,” Richardson said.

Junior chemistry major Melanie Pugh went for a class requirement and was not sure what to expect. It became really interesting, she said, when her table started feeding off of others’ ideas.

“I can tell that he [Manuel] really cares about this process,” Pugh said.

Vitangeli said Assistant Professor of Management Terry Schindler designed the conversations. Tables are set with a paper tablecloth, markers and prompts to allow for both verbal and artistic dialogue.

Richardson said the invitation to draw opened up avenues for people who communicate in different ways.

Pelkey said having small groups was the best way to share ideas, because it provided space for everyone to be heard.

The president and other administrators walked around the room asking students to expand upon their ideas of what should be done, along with why and how it should be done, according to Pugh.

The different sessions have shown similar ethos and ideas, Manuel said.

“They [participants] are connected to the same kind of values,” Manuel said. “What’s tremendously pleasing and surprising is how connected we all are to the mission of our university and how creative we have been with re-imagining that into the future.”

Manuel said that there is much engagement, knowledge and passion for the process, which is linked to the UIndy motto of “education for service.”

“If  I hadn’t been involved in the process, I think I would be interested in the future of the university, but not particularly invested in where it was going,” Pugh said. “Now, though, I am really interested to see what the future will hold.”

Manuel extends his gratitude to all who have been involved, including Schindler, Vitangeli, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management Mark Weigand and other staff members.

A team is now working on how to display information to the public beyond by way of documents. For example, the tablecloths will be displayed in some way. On the university website, uindy.edu/vision#, there is currently a diagram of where the process is at.

Students who would like to participate, but have not been able to because of time conflicts, can email Vitangeli  at vitangelik@uindy.edu.

Upcoming events are Dec. 18 and Jan. 8 for faculty and staff, Jan. 15 for alumni and Jan. 26 for parents.