Committee on Profile & Identity

Mission Statement
Hampshire College is a liberal arts baccalaureate institution that offers a distinctive, innovative pedagogy. Indeed, the unique elements of its academic program have posed a persistent challenge to those who would communicate Hampshire’s special qualities and the essential role it has assumed in U.S. higher education. In recognition of this challenge, the board of trustees has established the identity and profile committee to provide strategic leadership and creative inspiration for the college’s external communications program. The committee’s creation comes at a critical moment in the college’s history: charged by President Hexter, a faculty/staff/student committee, MC2, is gathering thoughts and perceptions about the college, its mission and purposes, that will help inform reinvigoration of the college’s mission statement and help guide strategic planning. As this important work proceeds, the Identity and Profile Committee will work concurrently with MC2. As the MC2 project evolves, so too will the work of the I&amp;P committee.

Meeting Agenda October 8th, 2008
AGENDA


 * 1) Review and update/approve committee's mission statement (see “B”below.)
 * 2) Discuss and prioritize constituencies that I &amp; P must address:


 * Students
 * Prospective Students
 * Faculty
 * Alumni
 * Parents (including parents of prospective students)
 * Staff
 * Current contributors and development prospects (both within and outside of Hampshire’s traditional constituency)
 * The media, both professional i.e., The Chronicle of Higher Education, and consumer print and broadcast media High school and private college advisors
 * The broader Higher Education community

3. How can we improve our effectiveness, particularly in supporting the Development

and Admissions committees? Discuss working arrangements with all appropriate committees, staff, and administration to coordinate and improve our support of their efforts.

4. Review and seek out further suggestions/ideas for “elevator” descriptions of Hampshire and its mission. See item “A” below.

Item A) Proposed “Elevator” Phrases

“Hampshire College leads the way in developing and implementing cutting-edge explorations in advacing Higher Education

“Hampshire College: A laboratory for continuing innovative explorations in Higher Education”

Item B) Mission Statement (attached)

The Identity and Profile committee promulgates, supports and extends the mission of Hampshire College. Specifically, the committee:

Advises and supports the administration’s efforts to identify, monitor, and, if necessary, reinforce or alter public perceptions of the college;

Advises and supports the president on MC2, including especially communications and perceptual issues associated with strategic planning; Works closely with the development and campaign committees to provide direction for a campaign communications strategy and case statement;

Works closely with the admissions committee to assist in the development of a communications strategy that advances the evolving admissions goals of the college;

Reviews all revisions to the mission statement and recommends changes to the board; Works to strengthen the college’s relationship with the press by providing introductions and contacts with media outlets and individual reporters;

Encourages board members to keep their association with the college prominent in their dealings with the press;

Supports the president in his/her relations with the media and within the academy, by providing introductions and facilitating opportunities for the president to meet with opinion- and policy-makers.