Even with changes recently made to Iowa State’s strategic plan, some students and faculty and staff members are skeptical about the proposed direction the university would take during the next five years.

Revisions to the university’s strategic plan — a document drafted by 42 students, faculty and staff members — map the efforts and directions the university should focus on from 2005 to 2010 and include additional goals, priorities and altered wording. The revised plan was released Monday by the university’s strategic planning committee.

After reviewing feedback from more than 200 students, faculty, staff members and alumni, the new draft includes changes intended to address concerns that the original plan lacked recognition for the development of liberal sciences, arts and humanities.

The new draft states, in part, “the university should teach liberal and practical subjects.”

A goal was also added calling for the enhancement of areas of excellence in the arts, humanities and social science disciplines that “build on and complement the university’s unique strengths.”

The previous draft was heavily tailored toward developing bioscience initiatives and other of the university’s “unique strengths” in putting science and technology to work in the economy. Although this focus hasn’t changed, Provost Ben Allen, vice president for academic affairs and chairman of the strategic planning committee, said he believes the new wording focuses well on the role of liberal studies.

“We made accommodations for that viewpoint. The land-grant ideal includes that the university should teach liberal and practical subjects,” Allen said.

“I think we addressed that issue, but we have another three weeks for comment and input before the committee makes its third and final draft.”

Gregory Palermo, chairman of the Faculty Senate academic affairs council, who was initially critical of the plan’s absent focus on liberal studies, said the second draft is much improved in terms of highlighting the richness of liberal education and cultural studies.

He said there are weaknesses, however, in the measures to achieve the goals outlined.

“The measures are overwhelmingly number-oriented,” Palermo said.

He said the measures lack a qualitative aspect and terms of impact of the activities outlined.

He also said the basis for grants in the diverse fields are not equally considered. Some disciplines are unequal in external funding.