As the start of a new millennium draws near, San Diego State University is beginning the “Shared Vision” conversations to set goals for SDSU’s second century.
Dorothy Vails-Weber, of SDSU’s Counseling and Psychological Services, is coordinating the project with Douglas VanSickle, director of CPS.
The project began on March 12 with conversations among certain “stakeholder groups.”
After the conversations are completed, a conference will be held on April 25 through April 27 to discuss the conversations’ outcomes. The conference is called “The Future Search Conference for San Diego State University’s Second Century.”
There are nine groups, which include students, faculty, parents and community leaders.
Some goals discussed have included smaller classes, fewer part-time workers and better computers.
In addition to these issues, the stakeholder groups will have an opportunity to discuss their problems and goals in an open forum.
The “Shared Vision” project will look at the perspectives of many different groups involved with the SDSU campus, Vails-Weber told The Daily Aztec in a recent telephone interview.
Neither VanSickle nor SDSU President Stephen Weber could be reached for comment; however, VanSickle recently told the San Diego Union Tribune that “this is incredibly new for our campus culture.”
He said the project is successful so far.
“It’s working,” he said. “The conversations seem to represent a valid way … of having our thoughts and aspirations heard.”
In a recent interview with the Union-Tribune, Weber said the project will set the agenda of SDSU for the next 10 years. He said the centennial provides a “natural occasion” for this.
“We’re at the right place at the right time and we are capable of doing extraordinary things,” Weber told the Union-Tribune.
“But I don’t think we are capable of doing them if we are not together.”
Vails-Weber agreed. The fact that the project will be all-inclusive gives every group affected by the welfare of SDSU a chance to participate in the planning of its future.
“This is an opportunity for the entire university to be involved in what the agenda will be for the next decade,” she said. “We are fortunate to have President Weber to help us.”
Weber has entered this project with humility.
“I can’t and wouldn’t wish to just proclaim (a vision) as a newcomer,” Weber said. “I need to hear from the organization a little bit, from people who have been here longer than I.”
SDSU junior Danielle Warren said she is happy about the project.
“It is good to know we go to a school that accepts, embraces and respects our opinions,” Warren said. “It makes me feel like my money is being well spent. It makes me feel like I am more than just a number to this school.”
