First Steps Toward a Strategic Plan: Results of the Start, Stop, Continue Survey

A group of about 100 staff and faculty gathered in Great Hall on Dec. 10 for a Town Hall to hear Bryn Mawr President Wendy Cadge talk about the findings from a “Start, Stop, Continue” survey of faculty and staff. 

Sent in September, the survey asked for input on the very broad questions of what the college should start to do, stop doing, and continue that we are currently doing. This was a way for Cadge to hear from a large number of faculty and staff. She plans related efforts through which she can hear from students in the spring semester.  

The survey results showed no clear consensus on any particular topic. The positive aspect of the findings is that there doesn’t seem to be any one thing everyone agrees needs to change. The downside is that any change is likely to not have unanimous and universal support. 

As Cadge explained at the event, the survey is a very early step in the creation of a new strategic plan for the College, “I want us to dream about what’s possible,” Cadge told those gathered as she reviewed the survey’s results.  

The survey was conducted by David Consiglio, director of assessment, learning spaces, and special projects. 

In his project report, Consiglio was able to identify five key themes from the responses: Academics (including programs); Student Experience; Community Building & Silos; Pay, Benefits, Professional Development, Workload; and Physical and Operational Infrastructure.  

During her presentation, Cadge went through each theme and touched on some of the most common topics and sentiments from the survey results, including direct quotes from respondents.  

Cadge said some topics, like a testing center, are already being acted on and other changes will be part of the future strategic plan. The next steps in developing a strategic plan include a January gathering in Great Hall, where Cadge will pitch 4-5 areas for possible strategic change or investment for further conversation with the community. Cadge and colleagues are also starting the process of building a campus master plan, a strategic document outlining the long-term vision for the physical development of the campus, which will be developed alongside the strategic plan. For both processes, Cadge was clear that there will be many opportunities for input from all members of the Bryn Mawr community. 

“This will be more fun, and we can go further if we do it together,” said Cadge. 

In addition to her slide presentation, Cadge took audience questions, gathered feedback via a Mentimeter survey, and had Haley Catherine McDevitt from Illustrating Progress create a graphic recording of the meeting.