The BGSU University Planning Council was formed in Fall 1998. The UPC functions as a formative think tank that is advisory to the President and a two-way information conduit, relating the general University community to the planning process. It meets on a bi-weekly basis each spring semester. The annual work products of the UPC include

1) a statement of internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats,

2) a review of the progress made towards meeting the previously stated Strategic Directions of the University and recommended changes to these Strategic Future Directions, and

3) recommended Annual Imperatives for the following year.

The UPC reviews and discusses information about trends in the external environmental contained in the Environmental Scan as well as evidence of progress made towards achievement of the Strategic Directions contained in the University Portfolio to develop its statement of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

Careful thought has been given to the attributes of a planning effort which has the potential to lead to meaningful change. It is the belief of the UPC that a successful university planning process:

• Requires support from the President, other University leaders and meaningful institutional research;
• Strikes a balance between broad-based participation and centralized authority;
• Must offer continuity, flexibility and timely consideration of current and future issues;
• Requires recognition and integration of institutional history, culture and politics, and acknowledgement of the role of established governance mechanisms;
• Should pose minimal administrative burdens, such as paperwork and committee time;
• Should be viewed as objective and consistently applied
• Is linked with budgeting;
• Requires regular evaluation and revision, and positive and tangible results for participants, and;
• Acknowledges that it can not capture all issues or solve all problems.

The UPC is comprised of  twelve persons who hold a University-wide perspective and who represent a broad cross section of the University community. Members are appointed by the President and serve for staggered two-year terms. The President and the Director of Planning and Institutional Research co-chair the UPC.

The UPC welcomes questions, comments, and suggestions for improving its service to the University community. Dr. William E. Knight, Assistant VP for Planning and Accountability, should be contacted for further information.