Regents to Review UA's Strategic Plan

Regents to Review UA's Strategic Plan

By University Relations - Communications
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ABOR will review the UA's strategic plan and financial operations this week.
ABOR will review the UA's strategic plan and financial operations this week.
Increasing online course offerings and the 100% Engagement initiative are goals outlined in the UA's Never Settle strategic academic and business plan.
Increasing online course offerings and the 100% Engagement initiative are goals outlined in the UA's Never Settle strategic academic and business plan.

The Arizona Board of Regents will review the UA's strategic plan and financial operations when it meets this week at the UA.

The meeting comes on the heels of ABOR's approval last week of the UA Health Network merger with Banner Health, which is expected to transform the health-care landscape in Arizona.

The UA's Never Settle strategic academic and business plan, unveiled in 2013, outlines ambitious goals for the University, including, among other priorities, increasing online course offerings and providing all students with experiential learning experiences through the 100% Engagement initiative.

The regents will be asked to approve the UA's 2015-2016 version of the Never Settle plan, which includes two new proposed undergraduate degrees – a Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering and a Bachelor of Arts in American Indian studies – and a new master's program in criminal justice.

In addition to presenting its strategic plan, the UA will present its operational and financial review to ABOR. The report states: "Through distinctive cross-cutting innovations, we will expand the student experience through engagement, advance knowledge through innovations in creative inquiry and collaboration, and forge novel partnerships to positively impact our community."

Among other things, the report highlights UA transdisciplinary programs that will help drive Arizona's economy forward, including the Defense and Security Research Institute, the iPlant Collaborative, the Steward Observatory Mirror Lab and other research initiatives.

The report also addresses the UA's progress on a number of ABOR goals for Arizona's university system, including increasing the number of bachelor's and master's degrees awarded, as well as increasing transfer enrollment by 2020 and increasing teaching effectiveness and overall student satisfaction.

According to the report, the UA is meeting or exceeding targeted growth points for ABOR's 2020 metrics with regard to the number of bachelor and graduate degrees awarded; undergraduate enrollment; freshman retention rate; diversity of graduates; and undergraduate headcount enrollment.

The report also notes that the UA is exceeding the national average for the number of degrees awarded in science, technology, engineering and math fields. A total of 17.9 percent of UA degrees are awarded in STEM disciplines, compared to the national average of 15.6 percent.

Also included in the report is an update on the financial impact of the agreement between the UA Health Network and Banner Health, which ABOR approved last week.

The agreement is expected to generate about $1 billion, academic investments and other benefits to the UA and the state.

As part of the agreement, the UA will retain control and oversight of the Tucson and Phoenix medical schools, and benefits for UA Health Network employees are not expected to be interrupted during the merger. (Read more about the agreement in this Lo Que Pasa article.)

The UAHN-Banner deal is expected to be finalized on Feb. 27.

Other items on the regents' agenda (PDF):

  • The regents will hear legal advice and an update regarding the UA Health Network merger with Banner Health.
  • The board will be asked by its Legislative Affairs Committee to take a position on legislation affecting Arizona's university system.

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