5 by 25: U of R 2020-2025 Strategic Plan sets interconnected, achievable goals
Posted: June 18, 2020 5:00 a.m.
University of Regina announces its 2020-2025 Strategic Plan kahkiyaw kiwâhkomâkâninawak, Cree for All Our Relations, through a virtual launch on June 18, 2020. University of Regina
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For the first time in its history, the University of Regina released its new Strategic Plan across a virtual platform. The U of R's 2020-2025 Strategic Plan kahkiyaw kiwâhkomâkâninawak - All Our Relations was launched via Zoom to more than 260 faculty, staff, alumni, Board members, and friends from the University community in Regina and across Saskatchewan. The launch was held remotely in keeping with COVID-19 health restrictions.
Among the special guests were the Honourable Tina Beaudry-Mellor, Minister of Advanced Education, Deputy Minister of Advanced Education Mark MacLoughlin, and His Worship, Mayor Michael Fougere.
The event featured Roger Brandvold, Chair U of R Board of Governors, as emcee along with:
- Elder Dennis Omeasoo, Life Speaker, Office of Indigenization;
- Kerri Finlay, Chair, Strategic Plan Facilitation Team and Associate Professor, Biology in the Faculty of Science;
- Brittney Leitner, Facilitation Team member and student in the Faculty of Education; and,
- Thomas Chase, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor.
"In these challenging times, a strategic plan that weaves within its pages a strong sense of mutuality and interdependence will help guide us in our quest to live in a world that values empowered citizens, generates high-impact research, and embraces Canada's diversity," said Dr. Thomas Chase.
"Since the creation of human kind, the Indian race was given the gift of spirituality which acknowledges that stone, trees, four leggeds, the ones who crawl, those who fly, two leggeds, air, water, earth, and fire are brothers and sisters," said Elder Dennis Omeasoo, who led the Facilitation Team in the naming of the Plan. "During the time of creation, no one was better than the other and no one was worse off than other. Then as now, all are equal. We are all related. kahkiyaw kiwâhkomâkâninawak."
Informed by an extensive consultation process that drew feedback and recommendations from more than 1,300 people and 45-plus internal and external councils, government bodies, and informal working groups, the Plan sets an ambitious but achievable agenda for the next five years for the University community.
"The Facilitation Team was committed to ensuring that this strategic plan represented the opinions, concerns, and dreams of the many diverse groups and individuals we spoke with throughout the consultation process," said Dr. Kerri Finlay. "Their voices are our voices and are the foundation of the Plan. As a community, it becomes our job to walk together in a good way as we find ways to bring the Plan to life and continue to make our University a better place to study, work, and live."
kahkiyaw kiwâhkomâkâninawak makes use of a 5 by 25 model and will employ the University's Performance Measurement Framework for the Plan's 5 Areas of Focus - including Discovery, Reconciliation, Well-being and Belonging, Environment and Climate Action, and Impact and Identity.
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| 5 Areas of Focus provide the framework for the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan. Credit: U of R |
"We have one goal in each of the five areas of focus to accomplish by 2025, which will assist our faculty and staff as they set and align their own goals with the Plan," explained Finlay. "In practice, these areas will overlap and support each other, as they are informed by the University's vision, mission, and values."
Woven throughout all areas of the Plan, the University's commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) stands alongside its commitment to the academic success and well-being of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, faculty, and staff. Along with a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being for students, faculty, and staff, enhanced student supports, care for our environment, and thirst for discovery, learning will be enhanced and relationships strengthened - honouring the past, present, and future to create a new shared vision for upcoming generations.
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| A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion stands alongside the University's commitment to Truth and Reconciliation throughout the Plan. Photo: U of R Photography |
"As a student, I value having a voice in this Plan and seeing the meaningful attention given to the interests and well-being of all current and future students," explained Brittney Leitner.
"At the heart of the Plan is community. As a team creating this Plan, we wanted to highlight this strength of our University. Community is interwoven throughout all aspects of the Plan as we considered faculty, staff, students, and the greater University community locally, nationally, and around the world."
In this spirit of community, interconnectedness, and interdependence, kahkiyaw kiwâhkomâkâninawak - All Our Relations sets out a clear strategy for moving words into action and bringing empowerment through education for generations to come.
For more on the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, visit https://www.uregina.ca/strategic-plan/.