DSL Strategic Planning Accomplishments & Initiatives


This is a list of accomplishments and initiatives of the various DSL Strategic Planning teams. The initial focus of teams was on the foundational elements—the Mission and Values and basic themes. Then, in 2013, the implementation teams began to focus on changing how the Division performs its work. Here are some of the accomplishments:
  • Updated our DSL Mission statement to complement's MIT mission statement and inform DSL departmental missions
  • Established a set of Core Values
  • Researched our policies and gathered peer data for the DSL initiative on community standards
  • Generated a template for collecting fundraising needs and increased coordination with Resource Development
  • Worked with IS&T to complete an inventory and classification of network equipment in all our nineteen dormitories
  • Also with IS&T partners, connected all Boston FSILGs via high speed network links to campus
  • Commissioned a Bystander Responsibility course for staff and students
  • Joined forces with ODGE & DUE on an integrated design for a “student portal” for access to electronic information
  • Developed a comprehensive DSL Staff Engagement Survey, in collaboration with MIT Human Resources, and provided opportunities for all staff to participate
  • Designed a new, consistent method for gathering and assessing unit and departmental IT needs and completed an inventory
  • Planned and implemented a successful professional development experience for forty DSL staff entitled, "DSL Diversity Day-of-Dialogue"
  • Worked with the new Institute Community and Equity Officer to plan a much deeper and broader campus conversation on diversity and inclusion
  • Completed environmental scan of MIT’s student resources and correlated results with Spring 2013 Quality of Student Life survey
  • Created new communication channels with MIT parents, as a result of focus groups on Family Weekend
  • Developed a space process map and schedule, detailing the steps for advancing a unit’s proposed space study, capital project, or renovation
  • Reinstated “Brown Bag” informational lunches with Alumni Association and Resource Development staff to share information on student life issues
  • Developed of a website and guiding principles for DSL staff to complement Resource Development’s work in fundraising
  • Created action plans for high-priority issues identified in the DSL Staff Engagement Survey
  • Commenced detailed design activity with IS&T on “student portal” for access to electronic information
  • Detailed a plan, including estimated costs, for upgrading wired and wireless networks in all nineteen campus dormitories
  • Completed fiber link connection and next generation wireless equipment upgrade for all FSILGs
  • Developed a broader awareness campaign, integrated with Together@MIT on student support resources
  • Better support for existing IT tools and productivity aids
  • Program to address identified, specific gaps in student awareness and use of support resources
  • Detailed emergency response plan and protocol to communicate with parents, developed with Parents Association
  • Established a broad-based DSL Health Promotion Committee with representatives from interested student organizations
The above list was been drawn primarily drawn from the monthly implementation team progress reports. If you see an accomplishment which is omitted or not properly represented, please contact Bob Ferrara at rferrara@mit.edu.