News

We will soon begin the process of creating our next academic plan. I wanted to share more with you on what you can expect with this process and invite you to get involved.

Our next academic plan will serve as our map, helping us to mark our goals and set an intentional course for how we’ll get there. Not only does it clarify the work we need to do, but it signifies what is important to us as a community. For me, it is important that our next academic plan prioritizes both our people and our dedicated focus on teaching at CUE.

When the CUE Academic Plan 2018-2023 was developed, we wanted a document that would be concise and frequently referenced. I believe that we were successful in creating something that was engaging and useful, and that everyone could see themselves in. It’s worth noting that the majority of the benchmarks in the plan have been achieved, either partially or fully, despite the challenges of the pandemic. All of you should be proud of this.

As we plan the work ahead, I have engaged Story Engine to guide the process, facilitate the consultations, and write the drafts and final product. You may remember Story Engine, who worked with us some years ago to frame our critical Who We Are document. The consultations will include interviews with individuals, group feedback and understanding sessions, and departmental reviews. A more detailed timeline is included below for your reference.

Based on what we hear from you, we will determine whether we will renew the existing plan, with adjustments and updated benchmarks, or go back to the drawing board, building an entirely new plan from scratch with new themes and objectives. Ultimately, the plan will go to GFC and the Board for final approval. 

You can be involved as much or as little as you choose to be; however, I truly believe constructive participation will result in a better plan. This exercise represents an opportunity for us to work together, to better understand one another, and to engage in positive and productive interactions. I am optimistic that, together, we will chart the best path forward for CUE and for our students. 

Faculty members who are interested in taking part in an interview can email me at vpacademic@concordia.ab.ca. We are seeking a representative number from each faculty, and will advise those who have been selected. Thank you in advance for your participation in this process. 

Projected Timeline and Proposed Process for the new Academic Plan

September/October: Interviews with individuals.

Early November: Based on the interviews, an early draft for discussion of the new Academic Plan is provided by Story Engine.

Mid-November: The discussion draft Academic Plan is shared with faculty, and administration and Story Engine host one or more understanding/discussion sessions. Each Department will be asked to review the discussion draft and provide feedback. The VPA will attend faculty council meetings in late November or early December to discuss the draft Academic Plan and hear your feedback. Three embodying and archetypal CUE stories about how CUE brings priorities to life (ex. IKRC, EDI, etc.) will be selected.

December/January: Story Engine revises the Academic Plan according to any feedback provided in the understanding/discussion session/s and writes the 3 stories.

Late January: Story Engine provides a draft of the revised Academic Plan, and a second round of understanding/discussion sessions are held. Departments will be asked to review the second draft and provide further feedback.

February: Story Engine revises the second draft of Academic Plan

March: Marketing & Communications assists with photos to accompany the 3 stories, the messages from the President and VPA are written, the institutional overview, CUE timeline, learning outcomes, and the benchmarks and metrics under each respective theme are written.

April: The final draft of the Academic Plan is presented to the CUE Community. The approval processes for GFC and the Board are initiated.