The Plan for Rochester Center

WSU must increase its complement of programs in Rochester to meet the expanding needs of the Rochester Community, consistent with the WSU vision of quality education

Goal 1: To develop and enhance Rochester Center Programs

WSU will continue to be the primary provider of baccalaureate and graduate education as the comprehensive university for the area.

Winona State should apply the same quality standard of continuous improvement to the "2+2" programs and graduate education programs that apply to programs on the main campus. Program development, staffing, academic support and student support services must not be compromised. The introduction of new programs should be based upon assessment of area needs and reflect the more unique nature of the Rochester area.

Goal 2: To insure adequate, full time faculty, administration and staff for the Rochester Center.

A commitment should be made to insure adequate staffing of Rochester Center programs. Because faculty-student interaction is a vital part of the learning process, departments offering programs in Rochester should be allowed to hire Rochester-based faculty as opposed to relying primarily on faculty commuting from the main campus.

Goal 3: To develop support services which meet the unique needs of the Rochester Center.

Because of the unique demographic profile of WSU-Rochester students, care should be taken to provide adequate and specialized support services for students and faculty. Services necessary and helpful to traditional students might not be important to WSU-RC students. Faculty needs at WSU-RC differ as well. In spite of the differences in the needs of the WSU-RC students and faculty, all should feel a part of the community of Winona State.

All support services should be closely integrated with the already existing student services provided by the Rochester Community College and the University of Minnesota. Specifically, student records (particularly financial aid and registrar's data) should be available at WSU-RC as well as at the main campus.