The strategic planning process builds on our long-standing focus on student success. It began with a detailed review of demographic data, student information, enrollment patterns, and student achievement. Detailed information can be found on the Assessment page. Another important consideration was the Strategic Plan for the California Community College System. This information was disseminated campus-wide and shared at every level.

As part of the college's ongoing process of self-improvement, the Vice President for Planning and Information develops, coordinates, and disseminates a Continuous Improvement Calendar each year. The intent of this document is to keep the college in compliance with the accreditation standards by establishing timelines for reviewing each activity or plan that is critical to accreditation.

The Butte College Planning System provides a visual representation of the how the college aligns effort to accomplish its mission. This system includes the Strategic Plan, Educational Master Plan, Program Review, Supporting Plans, and Unit Plans.

Strategic Plan
Butte College conducted a Strategic Planning Workshop in January, 2007. Participation was open to the entire campus community as well as a number of community partners. At the workshop the participants used the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) process to determine what Butte College should look like in 2012. This process is different than problem solving and focuses on building upon what the college already does well to determine what it will be in the future.

The Strategic Planning Workshop resulted in five strategic initiatives that were used as the basis for the college’s Strategic Plan. These are:
• Inspiring Passion Through Collaboration;
• Focusing on Student Success;
• Valuing a Culture of Learning;
• Enhancing an Innovative, Flexible, Responsive, and Accountable Culture; and
• Modeling Sustainability

Educational Master Plan
The college's Educational Master Plan was developed after the Strategic Plan and approved by the Board in Spring 2009. This plan includes the college’s annual Strategic Direction which is the current implementation strategy for the five strategic initiatives. The Educational Master Planning Committee reviews and refines the Educational Master Plan each year. The last review and refinement occurred in Spring, 2011.

Supporting Plans
The Student Equity Plan was developed by the Student Equity Committee, approved by the Academic Senate, and ultimately approved by the Board in 2009. This plan is reviewed and refined annually by the Student Equity Committee.

In 2010-2011 the Outcomes Assessment Task Force developed an Outcomes Assessment Plan for Butte College.  The purpose of this plan is to implement a systematic approach to outcomes assessment that supports the work already being done by faculty, staff, and administrators.  The Outcomes Assessment Task Force has reconstituted as the Outcomes Assessment Committee and will oversee implementation of this plan.

The Technology Master Plan was developed by the Technology Council and approved by the Board in 2009. This plan is reviewed and refined annually by the Technology Council.

The Facilities, Human Resources, and Equal Employment Opportunity Plans are being developed. These plans will be posted on the site when completed.

Off-Campus Centers
In 2010-11 the college developed a Support for Off-Campus Centers plan to increase support at off-campus locations as the student population at those locations grows.

• Services by Center
  • Admissions and Records
  • Assessment
  • Career Center
  • CAS
  • Counseling
  • DSPS
  • EOPS
  • FAO & Vets
  • Health Services
  • Job Placement
  • Library
  • Student Activities
  • Transfer Counseling Center
  • Welcome Center

Program Review
Each program in the Office of Student Learning and in Student Services undergoes a program review, with an external evaluation, every six years. A process of Administrative Program Review is under development.

Environmental Scan
Each year, as part of the planning process, the Planning and Information Office prepares an Environmental Scan to help inform the college's planning processes. This environmental scan, which is in the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats format is designed to provide the college community with internal and external factors to consider during planning.

Accomplishments
Each year the college develops a document to describe its accomplishments for the year.  This document, which is aligned with the college’s strategic initiatives, provides a historical record of accomplishments for the year and informs the college’s annual report to the community. 

Strategic Direction
Each year the college's Educational Master Planning Committee reviews and updates the college's Strategic Direction.  The Strategic Direction provides the college's current strategy for implementing its Strategic and Educational Master Plans.  The Strategic Direction Review describes the progress the college has made in accomplishing the objectives set forth in the previous Strategic Direction.  It is used by the Educational Master Planning Committee as part of its annual review process and as an accountability tool by the Board of Trustees.

Unit Plans
Each year programs and areas develop unit plans based on the Strategic Direction, program review results, and program data. The Unit Planning Guidance describes the current process to include the guidelines for prioritizing unit plan requests for resources.

Periodically Planning Updates are disseminated to keep the campus informed about the status of the Planning, Budgeting, and Assessment process.