Meeting Minutes
Slippery Rock University Strategic Planning Committee
Thursday, February 15, 2007
University Club, North Hall, Slippery Rock Campus

Introductions

President Robert M. Smith called the meeting to order and introduced Mr. F. Michael Langley, chief executive officer, Allegheny Conference on Community Development and its affiliates: Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, Pennsylvania Economy League-Western Divisions, and Pittsburgh Regional Alliance.

Under Mr. Langley’s leadership, these organizations work in collaboration to stimulate growth in southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy and improve its quality of life.  The Allegheny Conference mobilizes community and private sector leaders to improve business climate and public policy based on the research work of the Economy League, the advocacy efforts of the Chamber of Commerce, and the marketing efforts of the Regional Alliance. 

The Conference is a private sector leadership organization with over 300 Regional Investors. Regional Investors – all heads of our region’s employers – provide civic leadership to execute a focused agenda for regional improvement. 

The circular model demonstrates how the Allegheny Conference and its Affiliates work together to improve and promote the region:

•  The  Pittsburgh Regional Alliance (PRA) markets the benefits of conducting business in southwestern Pennsylvania to companies all over the world that are growing, relocating or expanding. •  Building on feedback from those companies, the  Pennsylvania Economy League of Southwestern Pennsylvania LLC (PEL) conducts comprehensive research and analysis on various aspects of the regional economy and quality of life. •  Armed with this analysis, the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce (GPCoC) advocates for business climate improvements to create an even more competitive regional environment for new and existing businesses – making regional promotion efforts all the more effective.

The result is a model for continuous improvement that leads to business development and improved quality of life in the Pittsburgh region.
The Allegheny Conference and its affiliates are focused on fulfilling a vision for southwestern Pennsylvania:

•  Ensuring that competitive taxes, an affordable cost of living, and an understandable, responsive governmental and civic structure are available to all businesses and residents in the region
• Working with private- and public-sector entities to provide a sufficient supply of ready-to-go sites, buildings or other infrastructure for every business seeking to locate or expand in southwestern Pennsylvania
•  Promoting southwestern Pennsylvania as a leading center for the development and commercialization of technology
•  Implementing educational standards that will result in well-educated children throughout the region, and a community where prospective businesses will know they can access a literate and well-trained workforce
•  Establishing the Pittsburgh region as a community where talented young people want to live and work because of its unique mix of opportunities for careers, community involvement, culture and recreation
Slippery Rock University plays an important role to stimulate the economy of the region by graduating productive, engaged citizens who are skilled and prepared to join the workforce.  The Allegheny Conference strives to promote a competitive region and keep our graduates in Pennsylvania. 

Top Employers in Butler County

Source: Community Development Corporation of Butler County
Last Updated: August 2, 2006

Mr. Langley ended his presentation by congratulating President Smith and the Strategic Planning Committee as we work through the steps to develop a future plan of action for Slippery Rock University. 

Timeline of Activities for 2007

March 20                    University Club           7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
April 17                      University Club           7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
May 1                         University Club           7:30 – 9:00 a.m.
May 3                         University Club           7:30 – 9:00 a.m.

Closing Remarks

Following a brief question and answer period, President Smith adjourned the meeting. 

Next Meeting Date

The Strategic Planning Committee will meet Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 7:30 AM in the University Club of North Hall.  Mr. Herb Carlson will present the SRU Facilities Master Plan and Ms. Deb Pincek will present the Food Services Facilities Master Plan. 

Respectfully Submitted – Tina L. Moser