Raquel Benbunan-Fich

The strategic plan outlines Baruch College's direction to be a national model for access and excellence, transforming futures, professions, and communities. It is structured around four strategic priority areas: maximizing students' potential to succeed, promoting excellence in research and impactful teaching, strengthening the collaborative and engaged community, and optimizing operations and infrastructure. The plan aims to create life-changing experiences for students, faculty, and staff, leveraging New York City's dynamism to make a transformative global impact.

This secondary report from Baruch's Task Force for the Future outlines the college's long-term direction in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and evolving higher education landscape. Key strategic pillars include shaping future instruction with a balanced approach to online, hybrid, and in-person learning, and leveraging New York City's resources. The plan also prioritizes comprehensive support for faculty through enhanced human and technological resources, and for students by improving communication, academic advising, and access to essential services. Additionally, it focuses on supporting staff well-being and work-life balance, and emphasizes effective communication of the college's goals and actions to all stakeholders to ensure continued success.

This preliminary report details Baruch's strategic response to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid shift to online teaching and learning for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. It focuses on immediate and long-term recommendations across four key areas: instructional and research programs, administrative and operational functions, admission, enrollment, and student services, and facilities and safety. The plan aims to guide Baruch's evolution into a multi-modal institution, ensuring the provision of excellent education and expanding essential educational, technical, and personal services to support faculty and students through this transition and beyond.

This document provides an overview of Baruch College's strategic focus on economic mobility, highlighting its role as a catalyst for diverse student populations. Key pillars include providing affordable, excellent education, robust support services, and comprehensive financial aid to ensure student success and upward mobility. The college emphasizes high graduation and retention rates, low student debt, and strong career development programs, positioning itself as a leading institution for value and opportunity.

The Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) for Baruch College focuses on non-discrimination and affirmative action policies, outlining the responsibilities for implementation, workforce analysis, and job group classifications. It includes action-oriented programs aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion, with specific attention to individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. The plan emphasizes equal employment opportunity, harassment prevention, and outreach efforts to ensure a fair and inclusive environment for all employees and applicants.