Academic Plan (2025-2030)

The Academic Plan serves as a guideline and prioritization of actions that will advance What’s Next: The SFU Strategy while affirming our institutional commitment to the academic mission.

Led by our values, in particular the values of academic freedom and critical thinking, the Academic Plan ensures teaching and learning remain at the forefront of all we do.

Draft Academic Plan and Priorities Matrix

Academic Plan 2025-2030 (draft as of July 2024)
Academic Plan Priorities Matrix (draft as of Nov 2024)

The Academic Plan Priorities Matrix distills the priorities identified across individual Faculties/Units and will help shape the goals set out in the final SFU Academic Plan in early 2025. By design, this matrix outlines high-level priorities only. The narrative in the final SFU Academic Plan will amplify these priorities with references to selected examples, as will individual Faculty/Unit plans.

Planning Process

The current five-year plan ends this year and preparations for the new Academic Plan (2025-2030) are underway. Academic planning is a continuous process that ensures SFU programs, research, engagement and support activities are well-positioned to achieve our collective goals and address challenges and opportunities in the years ahead. 

To support the academic planning process and ensure alignment with institutional priorities, SFU academic leaders and senior administrators identified six focus areas for the Academic Plan that will drive the university toward the vision outlined in What’s Next: The SFU Strategy:

Program Development and Curriculum Renewal
Research Excellence
Indigenization and Decolonization
Inclusive Excellence and Access
Internationalization and Global Engagement
Institutional Effectiveness

Each academic unit is preparing an individual plan that supports focus areas in the Academic Plan and helps in understanding what each Faculty, Department/School or Unit wants to achieve.

Each focus area has draft goals, which will be further developed in the fall based on consultation and development of plans by Faculties/Units. These plans will collectively advance the university strategy.

Faculties/Units will be building plans for a challenging enrolment and financial period, and a collaborative planning process, informed by multi-year budget forecasting, has been put in place to ensure sustainable operations throughout the university.

Faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the academic planning process and connect with their Faculty/Unit planning teams in Fall 2024.

timeline

Summer 2024

Early engagement with academic leaders and SFU leadership on the first draft of the institutional Academic Plan, which includes draft focus areas and potential goals.
Further work on the second draft of the Academic Plan, which serves as a working roadmap for Faculty/Units to follow as they build their individual five-year plans aligned with What’s Next: The SFU Strategy.

Fall 2024

Faculty/Unit planning teams and working groups complete a 2025-2030 Academic Plan Priorities Matrix to inform their individual five-year plans.

Dec 2024

Each dean/program lead or designated alternate submits their Faculty/Unit five-year plan.

Early 2025

The institutional Academic Plan and individual Faculty/Unit plans are completed and shared with SCUP, Senate and the Board of Governors.

Contact info

To learn more, please contact your Faculty/Unit for details.

What’s Next: The SFU Strategy and the Academic Plan

The SFU Strategy provides a clear connection across our vision, purpose, and values. Four priorities outline our framework for action: Uphold Truth and Reconciliation, Engage in Global Challenges, Make a Difference for B.C., and Transform the SFU Experience. 

The Academic Plan provides a working roadmap for individual Faculties/Units to follow as they develop their own plans that will advance What’s Next: The SFU Strategy.  