Administration Shares Possible Priorities For New UT-Tyler

VP for Strategic Planning and Chief of Staff Stephanie Fenter address SGA. (Source: SGA YouTube)

*The author is an opinion journalist and cannot guarantee objectivity in his reporting. Please read critically! 

On February 15, Vice President for Strategic Planning Stephanie Fenter told student government that the Strategic Planning Committee is on its way to completing its work on UT-Tyler's new strategic plan and that she welcomes student participation.

“I want to welcome you all to give us feedback," she said. "We welcome your involvement. We need it in order for this to work." 

Top Five Strategic Priorities

According to VP Fenter, the planning committee has identified five top priorities based on a university-wide survey it sent back in July 2021. It also relied upon recommendations from workgroups it formed to process the survey results.   

According to VP Fenter, the proposed priorities for the university are 1) to enrich the student experience, 2) enhance the quality, quantity and delivery of the university’s educational programs, 3) partner and collaborate in service to the wider community, 4) advance excellence in teaching, research and healthcare, and 5) ensure sustainability and foster accountability. 

The Approval Process

Once approved by the committee, the strategic plan will go to UT-Tyler President Kirk Calhoun as a recommendation who, if he approves, will forward it to The UT System Board of Regents for final approval. Once The Board approves, then it will become the official plan for the university.  

Infrastructure Plans

While sharing the priorities, Fenter said UT-Tyler plans to reach 15,000 student enrollment within the next five years. She also said the institution plans to build a new track and field facility, a new student housing facility, a stand-alone science building for research development, and to renovate the existing nursing health sciences building. 

VP Fenter said the committee welcomes student input in “figuring out how” the university will achieve its goals. 

UT-Tyler has a webpage for the strategic planning process and welcomes input via email to StrategicPlanning@uttyler.edu. 

Calhoun’s Comments

At the end of VP Fenter’s presentation, President Calhoun, who attended the meeting, told student government that the university wants to become more like a traditional college campus. 

“We want to move in that direction,” he said. “That means getting students excited about athletics, joining clubs, being involved, getting other students involved in student government.” 

To hear VP Fenter’s full presentation, click here to access SGA’s YouTube channel. 

To hear President Calhoun’s comments, click here. 

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Twitter: @jhescock12

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