Institutional Purpose Committee


Minutes of the Meeting of
April 7, 1999

 Present: Bennett, Cissel, Kalinoski, Marsh, Maxey, M. Miller, R. Minton, Nelson, J. Steehler, Zorn, Lambert

The meeting started at 8:00 a.m. Committee members shared and discussed their individual drafts of Institutional Purpose statements and ideas. Copies of purpose statements from various institutions were also examined and discussed. The committee made a list of several key elements that appeared throughout all or most of the individual drafts. They were:
  • Liberal arts education (breadth)
  • Area of specialization (depth)
  • High standards and expectations
  • Global society (integrated world community)
  • Diversity
  • Lutheran heritage
  • Service and leadership
  • Domains - mind, body, spirit (intellectual, ethical, social, physical)
  • Connection to community
  • Commitment to institutional change
There was agreement among the members present that the purpose statement should brief but inclusive of key elements. At this point, members seemed to prefer the following format: 1) a brief narrative statement, 2) a bulleted section denoting agreed upon elements, and 3) a brief closing statement.

Prior to the next meeting, each member will read and consider again the individual purpose statement drafts and the purpose statement samples from other institutions. At our next meeting (Wednesday, April 14 - 8-9a.m. - Faculty House), we will work in small groups for the first half of the meeting to begin to blend our ideas together.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m.