Planning Process

As an affiliate institution and one of seventeen campuses, ECU is required to ensure that its strategic plan aligns to UNC Tomorrow.  The UNC Tomorrow  strategic planning process was conducted in four phases: 

Preparation (2007):  analysis of current activities to meet the present and future needs of the state and region;

Assessment (2008):  solicitation of input through community listening forums, faculty and student listening forums, conversations with business, non-profit, community, policy, and governmental leaders on what they needed from the system over the next twenty years;

Response (2008):  needs identified and systematic changes at the campus and system level to ensure continued focus on those needs;

Implementation (2008-2012):  the integration of responses into university missions, programs, curriculum, goals, and objectives. 

ECU's response to UNC Tomorrow is entitled ECU Tomorrow:  A Vision for Leadership and Service, and stands as ECU's long-range strategic plan.  This plan sets forth ECU's Mission, Vision, and Values and five strategic directions.  This plan is operationalized via ECU's Strategic Action Plan, 2010-2013 that outlines goals and objectives that drive progress towards our Mission and strategic direction. 

ECU has established a three-year planning cycle with interim annual reports documenting short-term goals and adjustments if necessary.  The strategic planning process drives and informs the University's budget planning process.

ECU provides written reports of progress towards UNC Tomorrow.  Example reports include Phase I and Phase II responses required of all seventeen UNC constituent institutions.  By focusing on strategic initiatives and partnerships for students, learning, research, community services and diversity, the SAP emphatically reinforces our Mission and takes the university to new levels of excellence as The Leadership University.