Minor wording changes to equally emphasize different colleges in the 2005-2010 Strategic Plan were suggested Wednesday by the Strategic Planning Committee in what will likely be its last meeting.

In earlier meetings, some expressed concern that the plan focused too heavily on the science and technology aspects of the university.

The planning committee added goals that included arts, humanities and social sciences.

The plan has improved since its last revision, said Sanjeev Agarwal, Faculty Senate president.

Although some people are still unhappy with certain parts of the plan and feel their group or program has been left out, many people are happy that the plan is short and more action-oriented, he said.

“It’s very difficult to not include everybody,” he said. “The purpose is to have a plan that applies to everybody but not list each group or program.”

Julia Badenhope, committee member and associate professor of landscape architecture, said the committee must use language the faculty will embrace if the plan is to mobilize them.

One issue raised at the meeting was the lack of specific strategies to carry out the plan’s goals.

“We don’t have strategies. I feel foolish not having strategies in a strategic plan,” said Larry Genalo, committee member and professor of materials science and engineering.

Other committee members pointed out some goals listed in the plan were actually strategies.

A brainstorming session produced additional suggestions on how to create implementation strategies.

Several suggestions were presented, including giving more managerial flexibility to departments for allocating resources.

Members also suggested creating working groups to define strategies and decide at what level goals needed to be addressed.

Ben Allen, provost and vice president for academic affairs and chairman of the strategic planning committee, said strategies for implementing the strategic plan must include accountability, a time frame and a business plan.

“I think the approach we take should be different than the approach we’ve taken in the past,” he said.

The strategic plan will return to the facilitation committee for final editing. If there are no major changes that need approval from the planning committee, the final draft will be sent on to the Faculty Senate. The final draft will be made available to the public for comment on a Web site, Allen said.

After the Faculty Senate reviews the plan and makes any changes it deems necessary, the plan will go to ISU President Gregory Geoffroy. He will then send the plan to the Board of Regents in February or March for final approval. If approved, the plan would be implemented by July 1, Allen said.