ASAP 2012 has been developed with broad consultation across the McGill community. During 2010-2011, the Provost engaged in a university-wide conversation with students, faculty, and staff that produced thoughtful engagement and considerable feedback.1 Outreach included multiple open forums (many offered jointly with the Vice-Principal - Research and International Relations), presentations to Senate, sessions with Deans, senior administration, and chairs and directors; Faculty and Library Councils, Student Councils and associations; discussions with the Management Forum and other employee groups, and conversations with other stakeholders.2 These consultations produced multiple suggestions for fine-tuning, modifying, or adding to the goals, objectives, and proposed actions that substantially shape this strategic academic plan.
Considerable additional consultation was achieved through a series of work groups that were convened by the Provost, and tasked with investigating specific areas and offering concrete recommendations for potential inclusion directly in ASAP 2012 or for implementation and expression at institutional and local levels. Work groups were struck for those areas identified in the assessment of Strengths and Aspirations where additional exploration and follow-up were needed, and addressed the following
- Academic Renewal, Hiring, Retention, Leadership Development
- Best Practices in Academic Endeavours/Services for Students at McGill
- Career development for Administrative and Support Staff across the University
- Service to Quebec and Canada
- Service to the Global Community
- 21st Century Education for the Professions
Each work group was chaired or co-chaired by a member of the faculty and brought together students, professors, and staff from almost every academic and administrative unit on campus. By nature of their activities, these work groups extended participation to other faculty, students, and administrative and support staff across the two campuses.3 Indeed, without the dedication, hard work, and intelligent briefs prepared by the work groups, and their collation by staff members in the Office of the Provost, ASAP 2012 would not have seen the light of day.