Gustavus Adolphus College

Small groups discussed the future of Gustavus at the 2006 Community Conversation.

As a part of a long-range thinking and planning effort, members of the Gustavus Adolphus College community gathered on Jan. 23 to discuss what is at “the heart of a great college.” More than 700 people — students, faculty, administrative and support staff, and members of the Board of Trustees — participated in the community conversation.

The campus stopped its normal work to have this second community conversation,that followed a similar successful event held three years ago. This year, the focus was on the mission statement of the college, how we are executing that mission individually and collectively, and how we carry that mission into the future.

Each small-group focused on the same set of questions about the college including:

• How do you see yourself contributing to the fulfillment of those claims [of the mission statement]?
• What are the College’s strengths and weaknesses in living up to those claims? Specifically, what are current areas of excellence and where is there potential for greater excellence?
• What’s your picture of the Gustavus of the future and what will you be able to contribute to that picture?

All ideas were recorded and are being examined, organized, and reviewed. Summaries will be available online during the first week of the spring semester and used in further discussion on the future of Gustavus. The key ideas will be incorporated into a statement of “shared vision” for the college’s future.

Beyond accumulating ideas, opinions, and perceptions, the event served to gather all segments of the campus, and give everyone a chance to talk and listen to each other.