HomeMy WebLinkAbout951489.tiffJune 16, 1995
Office of the
Provost/Academic Vice President
108 Administration
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523
(303) 491-6614
FAX: (303) 491-0215
Weld County Commissioners
Weld County Courthouse
PO Box 758
Greeley, CO 80632-0758
Re: Cooperative Extension 2000 Update
Dear Mr. Hall, Ms. Harbert, Mr. Baxter, Ms. Kirkmeyer, and Mr. Webster:
In 1993-94, Colorado State University actively engaged in organized and informal discussions
about change and reform in Cooperative Extension. Those discussions/debates were joined by
Extension personnel, advisory councils, legislators, county commissioners, and users of
Extension programs, friends and critics alike, on and off campus.
The Proposal. Based on those discussions and debate, recommendations were constructed and
outlined in "Colorado Cooperative Extension: A Proposal for Reinvention" (November 3,
1994). The ideas and proposals outlined in that foundation document became the basis of
further discussions with all sectors of the Extension family, including those responsible for
appropriating resources that underwrite Extension programs, activities, and services.
Validating Change and Reform. Change and reform proposals as outlined in the November 3,
1994, document were presented and debated across Colorado with all sectors of stakeholders
at some 50 or more meetings that occurred between November 1994 and May 1995.
Substantive and procedural comments, suggestions, and debate were solicited and received at
the numerous meetings organized for that purpose during the "validation" process. That input
was taken seriously and has been incorporated into the revisions of the change and reform
proposal.
Although the rhetoric was heated at times, the debate and discussions were enormously
helpful and, as a result, several recommendations in the original proposal have been revised.
We were heartened by the community pride demonstrated for Cooperative Extension across
the state, yet we found that a vast majority of the stakeholders we listened to agreed that
change is warranted and, in some of the areas identified, badly needed. We noted common
concerns about the specifics of implementation and, thus, while the major validation of the
substance and objectives of the proposal is complete, we continue to seek input to further
refine the change and reform process.
951489
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June 16, 1995
Page 2
CE 2000 - The Revised Document. Copies of the revised document, now titled "Cooperative
Extension 2000: Charting the Course for Change," will be distributed by June 30 to county
and state Extension offices, and individual copies may be obtained upon request. The next
stage is implementation.
Implementation. There was initial agreement on segments of the proposal; thus, implementa-
tion strategies began to develop early in the process. What have we done so far? The
following activities have been initiated or completed:
Strategic Implementation Plan Task Force identified - Associate Provost's
Administrative Council and others.
• CE 2000 proposal revised - Katherine Timm, Milan Rewerts.
• CE administrative structure(s) examined - Art Darbie.
• Technology Strategic Plan updated - Karen Holman, Katherine Timm.
• Funding proposal (4800K) for interactive communications submitted - Tom Maher.
• Regional service area designations, structures, and planning groups charged - Kirvin
Knox, Milan Rewerts.
White paper on rationale for change and reform written - Kirvin Knox.
4-H Strategic Plan written to implement State 4-H Review recommendations - Dorothy
Martin.
The products of implementation are likely to differ between service areas. That uniqueness is
to be valued as it recognizes different needs, expectations, and histories of our partners and
those we serve. The process of change and reform sometimes proceeds at a snail's pace, and
at times it is messy, uncertain, and even flawed. However, if Cooperative Extension is to
remain the aggressive, relevant program that Seaman Knapp envisioned, we must learn to
regard change not as a threat to survival but as an opportunity to ensure or regain the capacity
to empower those we work for, and enrich this great country by enhancing the potential of all
those we work with.
As we progress with the challenging process of change and reform, we would welcome your
questions, comments, and input.
Sincerely yours,
Kirvin L. Knox
Associate Provost for Agriculture and Public Service,
and Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences
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