Oakland University Strategic Planning collection

In 1970 then chancellor O'Dowd set up a University Planning Committee "to propose a coherent set of structures for advancing short and long range comprehensive university planning." The committee submitted its report in April 1971, and the university implemented it, creating a University Planning Committee in 1976. In 1978, the University Planning Committee finally issued a lengthly 5-year planning document.

In addition, after he became President, Don O'Dowd initiated the first systematic strategic planning effort in 1973. Under the "management by objectives" program, which lasted into the early 1980s, all operating units prepared MBO statements that outlined 5-year goals and 1-year objectives, to be updated yearly.

In 1983, President Champagne formed a Commission on University Excellence to examine academic excellence at OU, including admissions, the curriculum, program reviews, and academic support systems. The Commission conducted an in-depth faculty survey and produiced a report in 1984.

In November 1987 another long-term planning effort was initiated as President Champagne asked the University Planning and Policy Committee to develop guidelines leading OU to 2000 ("Oakland at 2000"). However the recommendations were not followed through due to the President's departure in 1990.

In 1992 incoming President Packard defined a statewide mission for the university, which laid the foundation for a new strategic planning initative. Nine Blue Ribbon Task Forces were set up to outline strategies for 1995-2005. In late 1995 implementation started.