Board of Regents, State of Iowa members expressed satisfaction in the strategic plans of Iowa’s three public universities during the regents meeting Wednesday and Thursday at Iowa State.

“You can just see the activity,” said Regent Clarkson L. Kelly.

Kelly said the board believes strategic plan development is important because it defines the goals of the universities. While officials at the three institutions were skeptical of the idea when the board first introduced it, Kelly thinks they have come to realize the benefits of laying out their long-term goals.

Regent Ellengray Kennedy agreed that the universities have come a long way in the development of the strategic plans, especially in focusing their intentions.

“I thought they were all very good and understanding of the process,” she said. “I think the institutions have a really good concept.”

ISU President Martin Jischke was pleased with the board’s preliminary review of the strategic plans.

Jischke said the plans serve an important purpose for regent members and university officials by providing a measure of the institution’s progress.

“We are always looking for new ways to do a better job,” he said. “That’s a constant process of establishing goals and priorities and assessing how we’re doing.”

Regent members also looked at the results of a study on retention rates at the three universities.

The study included information about the number of returning freshmen from 1993 to the fall of 1998. This information included reports from university officials on retention programs and incentives at the universities.

Kennedy said she was pleased with the universities’ work in this area. Kennedy was particularly pleased with the balance in the retention and accessibility of their programs, she said.

Jischke was happy with the board’s response to the retention information.

“The board understands that to enhance retention, it takes resources,” he said.

Jischke said board members have shown their support of supplying these resources by the tuition increases they have passed and their support for private fund raising by the universities.