Strategic Plan

We create a welcoming environment that fosters a sense of belonging, inclusivity, and shared purpose. The Carolina Union is a vibrant member of the community, bringing people together to build meaningful and supportive connections. 

We bridge the gap between campus and the individual, creating and supporting opportunities for collaboration and identity-building across the University. The Carolina Union is a gateway for students to engage, connect, and grow within the campus community. 

We provide an environment rich with opportunities for students to develop their identities and practical skills. The Union is dedicated to fostering growth that supports students’ interests, friendships, skills, and ambitions, empowering them for success beyond campus. 

Empowering our team to embody the spirit of the Union’s values through continuous growth, collaboration, and a commitment to service excellence. By cultivating a positive and healthy work culture, we ensure that every interaction reflects our dedication to building strong, lasting connections.

Goal 1: Identify and secure funding sources to support salary enhancements and the creation of new positions.

      Action Steps:

• Review market rates and make recommendations when applicable to attract and retain top talent.
• Develop a plan to adjust salaries based on market rate analysis findings, ensuring equity and competitiveness.
• Identify campus partnerships to support salary enhancements and the creation of new positions.

Goal 2: Implement alternative compensation and recognition programs to boost retention.

      Action Steps:

• Introduce non-monetary benefits, such as: 
  • Access to language-learning platforms. 
  • Support for obtaining professional certifications or advanced degrees.
• Establish a structured employee recognition program that celebrates achievements and milestones, fostering a culture of appreciation.

Goal 3: Clarify and enhance organizational structure to support career development.

      Action Steps:

• Develop a detailed organizational chart with concise, bullet-pointed position descriptions, ensuring clarity in roles and responsibilities.
• Regularly update position descriptions to reflect evolving duties and maintain relevance.
• Assess the necessity for additional roles to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.

Goal 1: Cultivate a culture of continuous learning and professional and personal growth.

      Action Steps:

• Define professional development to encompass both personal and career growth, recognizing their interconnectedness.
• Encourage attendance at diverse conferences and workshops, even those beyond traditional job scopes, to broaden skill sets and perspectives.
• Simplify the approval process for professional development activities, reducing bureaucratic hurdles and encouraging participation.

Goal 2: Provide accessible and varied development resources for all staff. 

      Action Steps:

• Form a Professional Development Committee within the Carolina Union to:
  • Create a Professional Resource Hub where staff can share and access materials from conferences, webinars, and other learning opportunities.
  • Curate a collection of books, articles, and online courses accessible to all staff. 
  • Research and recommend training programs.
  • Advocate for necessary funding and resources.
  • Facilitate mentorship and peer-learning initiatives.
  • Evaluate and aid in selection of professional development requests from staff for high-demand conferences, programs, and training.
    • Develop and oversee student employee manager development.
  • Collaborate with the Student Affairs Professional Development Committee to align efforts and share best practices.
• Assess and enhance graduate student employment experience in the Carolina Union by exploring opportunities for intentional professional development and performance evaluation.

Goal 1: Strengthen collaboration and information sharing among departments.

      Action Steps:

• Establish focused cross-functional working sessions where departments share project dependencies, resource needs, and strategic alignments, replacing general meeting updates with collaborative problem-solving and decision-making.
• Identify intentional opportunities for cross-functional projects that require multiple departments to collaborate toward shared organizational goals.
• Evaluate collaborative tools and platforms (e.g., shared digital workspaces) to streamline communication and document sharing.

Goal 2: Foster a transparent and inclusive workplace culture. 

      Action Steps:

• Regularly disseminate organizational updates, including strategic goals, policy changes, and upcoming events, to keep all staff informed.
• Create forums for staff feedback and suggestions, sensuring that all voices are heard and considered in decision-making processes.
• Recognize and celebrate cross-departmental achievements, highlighting the importance of teamwork and collective success.

Goal 3: Build an engaging and inclusive onboarding program to break down silos.

      Action Steps:

• Establish a cross-departmental buddy program that pairs each new hire with a “buddy” from a different department who has worked at the Union for a minimum of two years.
  • Include bi-weekly or monthly structured check-ins for the first three months.
• Develop an onboarding roadmap that:
  • Provides an overview of all departments, their functions, and how they work together.
  • Includes Union-wide welcome sessions to introduce leadership and strategic initiatives.
• Clearly communicate a central hub for onboarding resources, tools, and checklists. 

• Conduct annual staff satisfaction and engagement surveys to gather feedback and identify areas for improvement.
• Monitor retention and turnover rates, analyzing data to assess the impact of compensation adjustments and professional development initiatives.
• Track participation in professional development programs and utilization of the Professional Resource Hub, aiming for year-over-year increases.
• Evaluate onboarding success by tracking:
  • Buddy program participation and satisfaction scores.
  • New hire retention rates at 6 and 12 months.
  • Completion rates of onboarding roadmap components.
• Develop a new evaluation form that is customized for Graduate student level positions.

To continue transforming the Carolina Union into an accessible and efficient space that enhances the student experience through strategic improvements, optimized utilization, and innovative design.

Goal 1: Develop a long-term strategy for major renovations, including funding and phased implementation.

      Action Steps:

• Conduct a comprehensive building condition assessment to identify critical maintenance and renovation needs.
• Create a repair and replace schedule for projects. 

Goal 2: Enhance key spaces through modernization and design upgrade.

      Action Steps:

• Renovate and modernize high-traffic areas such as the Underground and Class of 2000 Lounge.
• Integrate comfortable, flexible seating and updated furniture in key communal spaces.
• Evaluate technological capabilities in meeting spaces and implement improvements to user experience.
  • Create user-friendly guides for client use.

Goal 3: Improve wayfinding and building navigation. 

      Action Steps:

• Update building signage to enhance wayfinding and accessibility. 
• Provide easily accessible safety information, including procedures for campus emergencies.
• Implement digital directories and interactive campus maps for easier navigation.
• Ensure all signage meets ADA compliance and supports multilingual or visual communication needs.

Goal 4: Create a comprehensive funding approach that includes institutional and external sources.

      Action Steps:

• Explore partnerships that could provide additional resources for facility enhancements.
  • Establish a donor engagement program and research grant opportunities specifically for facility improvements.

Goal 1: Expand and optimize student-centered spaces.

      Action Steps:

• Develop a student organization resource center to support student group activities.
• Explore opportunities for new communal spaces based on student input and usage trends.
• Create spaces designed for solo study, virtual meetings, and focused work, ensuring students have access to semi-private areas within the Union.

Goal 2: Evaluate and enhance the 25Live reservation system.

      Action Steps:

• Create clear, accessible reservation guidelines and support resources to expedite the reservation process.
• Evaluate current 25Live booking process for students and departments with a goal to simplify and remove redundancies.
• Increase operational efficiency for reservation processing with measurable client satisfaction.
• Increase procedural transparency and communication about reservations to ensure student organizations and departments have successful events.

Goal 1: Ensure a safe, well-maintained facility.

      Action Steps:

• Upgrade security infrastructure, including surveillance, emergency call stations, and lighting improvements.
• Enhance emergency preparedness by developing, documenting, and regularly training staff on response protocols.
• Implement building environmental safety measures, such as improved air quality and sustainable cleaning practices.

Goal 2: Advance accessibility and inclusive design.

      Action Steps:

• Conduct a comprehensive accessibility audit and implement ADA compliance improvements.
• Research adaptive technologies, including assistive listening devices and wayfinding solutions for visually impaired individuals.
• Research upgrades to entrances, restrooms, and seating areas to ensure barrier-free access.

• Conduct annual student and staff satisfaction surveys on facility, technological, and accessibility improvements.
• Track space usage metrics through 25Live reservations. 
• Monitor progress of renovation projects, tracking completion rates and budget adherence.
• Track funding acquisition and return on investment for facility improvements.
• Assess effectiveness of emergency preparedness training for new and continuing staff.

Delivering exceptional experiences that bring our community together, whether through dynamic programs, personal interactions, or thoughtfully designed spaces. We are committed to making the Union a place where students, faculty, staff, and guests connect, learn, and thrive.

Goal 1: Strengthen and grow the Union’s portfolio of signature events and explore opportunities to collaboratively recognize and support signature programs.

      Action Steps:

• Assess and refine existing Union-led signature events (e.g., FallFest, Union Birthday Bash) for impact, accessibility, and alignment with student needs.
• Explore opportunities to elevate long-standing programs facilitated by Student Life & Leadership through intentional recognition, marketing support, and shared outcomes.
• Partner with CUAB to coordinate calendars, identify shared goals, and align messaging to amplify one another’s work.

Goal 2: Launch a “Union Ambassadors” Program.

      Action Steps:

• Recruit and train student ambassadors to promote Union services and gather feedback.
• Develop Union-branded pop-up experiences that reinforce the Union’s role in Carolina’s identity.

Goal 1: Elevate awareness of the Union as more than a study space.

      Action Steps:

• Create a targeted marketing campaign showcasing the Union’s services, events, and unique offerings. 
• Implement consistent messaging that reinforces the Union’s role as a campus hub.
• Use student testimonials and success stories to highlight the Union’s impact.

Goal 2: Improve outreach to graduate and professional students.

      Action Steps:

• Work with professional schools to integrate Union orientation materials into their programs.
• Identify and address barriers preventing graduate students from engaging with the Union.
  • Develop marketing materials that specifically address the needs and schedules of graduate students.
• Designate specific spaces and times for graduate and professional students to use the Union.

Goal 1: Improve accessibility and support for event attendees.

      Action Steps:

• Update signage in meeting rooms with clear instructions for requesting support during events.
• Develop an online FAQ for event hosts to streamline troubleshooting and assistance.
• Produce “how to” content for social media, addressing the most asked about services at the Union and how to utilize them. (For example, how to reserve a CUBE.)

Goal 2: Foster a welcoming environment for all guests.

      Action Steps:

• Train all staff on positive and inclusive customer service practices.
  • Including how to deliver policy messaging through a lens of guidance, support, and hospitality – ensuring guests feel heard, respected, and informed.
• Conduct regular guest experience assessments to identify and address service gaps. 

Goal 3: Identify new resources that enhance the Union’s role as a campus connector.

      Action Steps:

• Evaluate gaps in current services and explore opportunities for new student-focused resources. 
• Partner with campus departments to introduce new support services within the Union. 

• Track attendance data, student feedback, and repeat participation rates for new and existing programs.
• Conduct post-event and annual surveys to measure perceived program quality and student development impact.
• Conduct periodic student focus groups and surveys to gauge awareness and perception of the Union beyond a study space.
• Monitor digital engagement metrics, including website visits, email open rates, and social media engagement on Union and SLL content.
• Measure participation rates from student groups and track inquiries related to Union services.
• Implement an ongoing feedback system (QR codes in meeting rooms, online forms) to collect visitor input.
• Track meeting room reservations, foot traffic data, and event hosting trends to identify growth areas.