Individuals need to do it, and so do institutions. It is critically important, every once in a while, to pause and take stock. What are we doing? Is it the right thing? Does it still make sense, or has something fundamental changed? What are others doing? Is there a better way?
As Colby approached the 21st century, other transitions loomed for the institution as well, not least among them the first new president in more than 20 years. It was a perfect opportunity, trustees recognized, to assess what the College is all about and to think about its future.
This was the impetus for The Strategic Plan for Colby (available online for alumni, faculty, students, and staff), a framework for the next 10 years, which was approved by the Board of Trustees this spring after more than two years of work. President William D. Adams enlisted a cross-section of administrators, faculty, students and support staff (www.colby.edu/planning/group) to study what Colby is doing and how it might be done better, with particular emphasis on academic, residential and social life. The future of the physical campus, a major part of the overall planning initiative, was considered at the same time, though final details of a long-range campus plan are still being refined this summer.
"I think the bottom line was, let's stop, pick up our heads, look around at the environment, look at what we do, and think about where we're going so that we get to where we're going in a deliberate and self-aware way," Adams said. "That's a good thing to do from time to time, and I was pleased that it was happening, because it also afforded me an unusual way of getting acquainted with Colby and immersing myself in it in a very careful and comprehensive way."
