Strategic Planning and Budgeting
NETSPACE
(Institutional Effectiveness Through Strategic
Planning, Accountability, Commitment and Engagement)

New River Community College

implemented this best practice in 1995

Qualifying under the Best Practices catalogue:
3 Provide Capabilities
33 Provide administrative support services
331 Information for decision-making

Best Practice Summary
(how it works, how you measure it)

In order to increase participation, to link the planning and budgeting functions, to ensure a continuous strategic planning process, and to provide better documentation of the planning elements of goals, objectives, outcomes, and uses of results (as required by the Southern Association of College and Schools [SACS]), an on-line computerized system, NETSPACE (Institutional Effectiveness Through Strategic Planning, Accountability, Commitment and Engagement), was developed. The system has been in use since fiscal year 1995-1996 and provides major support to the strategic planning process. All funds outside of the basic operating budgets are allocated through the strategic planning process.

Impact on the Process Organizational Performance (OUTCOMES)

New River Community College's (NRCC) strategic planning process has become the major force for driving change at the college. The process is structured and managed on a two-year planning cycle and is bolstered by a significant institutional research function, sophisticated management information systems, and robust technology. This automated system allows budget allocations to be considered based on budget requests that are tied to objectives from all functional units and departments in the college.

Best Practice Qualification

Internal and external audits have affirmed the system's efficiency. NRCC received a commendation from the Southern Association of College and Schools for its development and use of NETSPACE.

For Additional Information

New River Community College
P. O. Box 1127
Dublin, VA 24084

Jack M. Lewis
(540) 674-3631
NRLEWIJ@nr.cc.va.us

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