“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”
--Eliot

About the Plan

There is a national consensus emerging suggesting this is the time to “call the question” on the value of social fraternities and sororities. The climate in higher education is such that in order to remain viable, undergraduate organizations must be seen as having a purpose and function congruent with the mission of the host academic institution.

William Jewell College has recently undergone a process of self-reflection. What has emerged is a college more deeply grounded in its vision and core values. This beckons the fraternities and sororities to do the same.

The strategic planning process will provide a roadmap to significantly strengthen the greek system on campus and help it become a true partner in the mission of the greater campus community.

 

-- Donald G. DiPaolo

   WJC Strategic Plan Consultant

   Chair of the Deparment of Education, Detroit Mercy University

   General Fraternity Vice President, Beta Theta Pi

 

The Strategic Planning has features that include:

• A deep commitment to strengthening an organization
• Bringing together a diverse committee
• Process discipline
• Engagement in ideas
• Drafting and redrafting
• Respect for culture and tradition
• Planning to institutionalizing an ongoing process
• A commitment of resources

  What leads to failure?

  What leads to success?

  • A commitment to act
  • A process that creates systemic supports for strengthening the organizations
  • A process that honors healthy traditions
  • A process that creates ownership
  • An end product that is institutionalized
  • An end product that has measurable outcomes
  • Skilled facilitation

  Strategic planning is…

  • Art, not science
  • Professional, not casual
  • Painful
  • Slow
  • Empowering
  • Hope for the future

  • A top down approach
  • Single-issue perspectives
  • The quick fix
  • Attempts at public relations and not meaningful improvement
  • A plan that sits on a shelf

Phase One – Planning to Plan
The Planning to Plan phase is already complete. Extended conferences calls and a site visit to campus have brought us to this point. Careful consideration was given to the make-up of the committee and to the many details and arrangements that strategic planning entails.

Phase Two—Strategic Planning
This will be completed during two weekends in March, 2004. The result of this work will produce the strategic planning document.

 

Phase Three—Design and Implementation
Design and implementation of your strategic plan is an ongoing process—it is never complete. The initial stages of this will occur during the summer and fall of 2004. This is when “meat” is put on the bones of your plan. Also, ownership and leadership of the strategic plan is transferred to William Jewell College during this time. Ongoing planning and evaluation systems are key features in ensuring continued excellence.

We'd like to hear from you! Send us your feedback or input concerning Jewell's Greek Strategic Plan.