S.11-130
SFU
OFFICE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT, ACADEMIC AND PROVOST
University Drive, Burnaby, BC
TEL: 778.782.3925
Canada V5A 1S6
FAX: 778.782.5876
MEMORANDUM
ATTENTION
Senate
FROM
| on Driver, Vice-President, Academic and
Provost, and Chair, SCUP
RE:
SFU Strategic Vision (SCUP 11 -40)
DATE
October 19,2011
PAGES 1/1
www.sfu.ca/vpacademic
At its October 12, 2011 meeting SCUP reviewed and approved the draftjSFU Strategic Vision document
\y
Motion
That Senate concurs that the statement of Vision and Goals has been developed from a comprehensive and
inclusive process, and fairly reflects both the aspirations and the mission of Simon Fraser University.
encl.
c: A. Petter
J. Curry
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
thinking of the world
MEMO
Simon Fraser University
8888 University
Drive
Bumaby BC V5A 1S6
Canada
Tel 778.782.4641
Fax 778.782.4860
www.sfu.ca
SFU
ANDREW PETTF.R
PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR
SCUP 11-40
ATTENTION SCUP
A
V
'
t
from
Andrew Petter
//HwaAvAtV-
re
Strategic Vision
'A
| date
October 3, 201 1
The envision>SFU discussion paper was posted on the SFU website on
June 30, 2011 with feedback invited until September 30th. Since the SCUP
meeting of July 6th, a
number of opportunities have been provided to
encourage input, including open forums at all campuses and meetings with
Senate and the Board of Governors.
Based on what we have heard, the strategic vision set out in the attached
document captures the spirit and aspirations of SFU. SFU's dynamic
integration of education, research and community engagement is widely
regarded as providing a strong and promising basis for a vision that seeks to
describe and inspire the SFU community, capture the public imagination, and
distinguish SFU as the best university of its kind.
The vision statement, goals and principles reflect the excellent feedback
received. We have, for example, bolstered references to academic and
teaching excellence, and have affirmed the university's commitment to
research at every level. We have ensured that our goals are realistic - even
when they are optimistic. And we have clarified that the principles set out at
the end of the document augment those embedded within the previous
sections.
The result is a vision for the entire university. It is not intended that this
integration is, or should be, represented in the contributions of each member
Second page ...
SFU
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
THINKING OF THE WORLD
or part of the SFU community. On the contrary, the texture and quality of SFU's
tapestry is a product of the distinctive character and diversity of its many
threads.
We will be seeking the consent of SFU'sSenate and Board of Governors that
the process has been comprehensive and inclusive, and has resulted ina
strategic vision that is compatible with the strengths and aspirations of the
university as awhole. The vision and goals will also serve as the university's
mission statement where one is required. While strong support was expressed
for modifying the university'stagline to align with the vision, a range of opinions
was offered as to what that tagline should be. We therefore plan to undertake
further research to determine which tagline best corresponds with the vision.
Once in place,
the vision will not be self-executing, but rather will serve as a
touchstone for the development of future plans and initiatives that will include
objectives,
supports and assessments.
AP:eo
Attachment
g:\11\10.1\vision to scup.docx
Page 2 of 2
SIMON FRASER
envision »sfu
PREAMBLE
This document is the product of an extensive consultation within and beyond the university.
Participants in this
process believed the vision of a student-centred, research-driven and
community-engaged university is authentic to SFU. They also
expressed pride in SFU's adventurous
spirit, its openness,and its willingness to embrace bold initiatives.
The resulting Strategic Vision is intended to be both illuminating and aspirational. It seeks to
capture the university's strengths and to show how those qualities can be harnessed to distinguish
SFU as the best university of its kind.
The success of this vision depends upon the extent to which it contributes to a vigorous sense
of purpose within the university, encourages individual and collective action, and provides a
touchstone for future development. While the vision is that of the university as a whole, its success
also depends upon people seeing themselves within its component parts. The vision should help
every individual perceive how they can contribute to SFU realizing its full potential - as an engaged
university committed to enhancing the well-being of current and future generations.
SIMON FRASER UNI
THINKING OF THE WORLD
^^^^HH
OUR VISION:
envision »sfu
AN ENGAGED UNIVERSITY
To be the leading engaged university defined by its dynamic integration of innovative education,
cutting-edge research, and far-reaching community engagement.
The success of the following goals depends not just on their individual attainment but on their
integration - on the degree to which each contributes to the others. Students will aid and
inspire research and contribute to community. Research will enhance the learning experience
while enriching the community, socially, economically, scientifically and artistically. And the
SFU community of communities - local and global - will serve as a dynamic and limitless
classroom, offering context and applicability for students, as well as partnerships, challenges and
opportunities for research.
OUR GOALS:
ENGAGING STUDENTS
To equip SFU students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences that prepare them for life in
an
ever-changing and challenging world.
SFU will foster supportive learning and campus environments.
Combining the best traditions of academic and teaching excellence, SFU will provide students with
diverse and transformative learning opportunities that enable them to gain the knowledge, critical
capacities, research skills and civic understanding required to become engaged global citizens and
to thrive and adapt in demanding and dynamic environments.
Students will have opportunities to participate in advanced research, thereby sharing in the labour
and joy of creating and applying knowledge, while acquiring the skills for life-long learning.
Students will have access to an unparalleled selection of experiential learning opportunities that
allow them to apply knowledge, to grow as individuals, to engage with diverse communities, to
develop entrepreneurial skills and to refine their sense of civic literacy.
SIMON ERASER
THINKING OF THE W
envision »sfu
ENGAGING RESEARCH
To be a world leader in knowledge mobilization building on a strong foundation of fundamental
research.
SFU will leverage its fundamental research strengths, including interdisciplinary research, close
community connections, and
partnerships and collaborations to become a global leader in research
mobilization.
SFUwill support and promote the full continuum of research, from the fundamental generation
of knowledge, through the dissemination of that knowledge within the academic community and
beyond, to the application of transformative ideas for the benefit of society.
SFUwill promote research excellence, supporting and encouraging all researchers, including
undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff members and community partners who assist the
research mission.
SFU will seek opportunities to transfer the results of its research to the broader society, including
policy-makers, civil society leaders, and the community.
SFU's Knowledge Mobilization Model
Building on Core Strengths
SFU faculties focus on societal needs, drawing
upon a strong Arts, Social Sciences and Science
foundation. The research continuum extends
from knowledge generation through mobilization,
including dissemination and application.
SIMON FKASEE
THINKING OF THE W
envision »sfu
ENGAGING COMMUNITIES
To be Canada's most community-engaged research university.
SFU will maintain and expand its community connections as an integral part of its academic
mission, creating opportunities for practical and experiential learning; informing and inspiring
research; and contributing to its relevance and success.
SFU will develop partnerships and maximize the capacities of its three campuses to enhance the
social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of communities both locally and globally.
The university will build
respectful and mutually beneficial community relationships.
SFU will meet the lifelong learning needs of students, alumni and the community, and will respond
with innovative programs and learning opportunities for academic, personal and professional
development.
SFU will be BC's public square for enlightenment and dialogue on key public issues, and will be
known as the institution to which the community looks for education, discussion and solutions.
UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES
In addition to the above, SFU commits to the following underlying principles:
Academic and Intellectual Freedom:
SFU will be an open and inclusive university whose foundation
is intellectual and academic freedom.
Diversity:
SFU will foster a culture of inclusion and mutual respect, celebrating the diversity and
multi-ethnic character reflected amongst its students, staff, faculty, and our society.
Internationalization:
SFU will value international knowledge, understanding and engagement,
and will seek to engender an active global citizenship among its students, faculty and staff, and to
ensure that SFU is an engaged partner and contributor on the international stage.
Respect for Aboriginal Peoples and Cultures:
SFU will honour the history, culture and presence
of Aboriginal peoples. The university will welcome and nurture Aboriginal students and seek
opportunities for greater representation of Aboriginal peoples amongst its faculty and staff.
Supportive and Healthy Work Environment:
SFU will recognize, respect and value the essential
contribution made by staff and faculty, and will seek to build and sustain a work environment that is
equitable, supportive, rewarding and enjoyable.
Sustainability:
SFU will pursue ecological, social and economic sustainability through its programs
and operations. Through teaching and learning, research and community engagement, SFU will
seek and share solutions. In its own operations, it will develop and model best practices, from
minimizing its ecological footprint, to maximizing its social health and economic strength.
