Board of Visitors approves new strategic vision

After adopting a new resolution, the administration will immediately begin planning to enact the new university vision (photo courtesy of George Mason University).

On March 20, the George Mason University’s Board of Visitors unanimously passed a resolution to adopt President Ángel Cabrera’s new strategic vision for the university.

The Mason Vision is intended to provide groundwork for the administration to make decisions regarding the future of the university.

“We have worked in drawing a picture of what we hope will be inspirational and aspirational picture of the type of university we want to build in the future,” Cabrera said to the Board.

Now that the vision is approved, Cabrera’s team will immediately begin working on the strategic plan, which is to be presented to the Board on Dec. 11 this year.

The Strategic Plan outlines what Mason intends to do in order to fulfill the vision, giving specific information and plans.

“The purpose of the plan is to align that strategic vision that you just approved, which essentially serves as the strategic objectives of this university, with our key initiatives, with our decision making, with our processes going forward, with our financial, and human resources,” Vice Provost Michelle Marks said to the Board. Marks will serve as the chair for the strategic planning process.

A timeline for creating the strategic plan was provided at the Board of Visitors meeting. The Board requested that the big questions were addressed by the time of their retreat in August, so afterwards the fine points of the plan can by drawn up.

Since Cabrera released the working draft of the vision in February, there have been a few adjustments made to the document.

Two changes were made to the values section. Including a respect for differences and honoring freedom and expression. Under the section defining a Mason graduate, knowledge of international issues and good communication were added. In addition, the expanding research and increasing engagement with alumni was also added to the vision.

 “In short, as the theme has become of this vision, we envision a university that doesn’t define its success or its goal by trying to be the best university in the world, but by trying to be the best university for the world,” Cabrera said.