Guiding principles

The UPlan 2035 planning process is guided by the following principles:

  • Measurable: Clear priorities supported by achievable, measurable goals
  • Future-oriented and adaptable: Designed to respond to change and evolving needs
  • Focused: Concentrated on the areas of greatest impact and strategic importance
  • Achievable: Ambitious yet realistic and sustainable over time 
  • Address societal need: Balances societal needs with strength-based differentiation to help shape our direction
  • Strength-based on local context: Builds on local context, social responsibility, and the integration of research and learner experience
  • Connected cross-campus: Promotes collaboration and alignment across the institution

 

Timeline

Our timeline is grounded around collaboration. While each stage has a defined schedule, we remain responsive to feedback and evolving needs to ensure the best possible outcome.

FRAMEWORK AND PLANNING PARAMETERS, LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT, DESIGN GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES, AND ENGAGEMENT PROCESS.

Formation 

November 2025–January 2026

Secured resources, finalized structures, methodology, and inputs for UPlan process, and approved communications plan and channels.

Kickoff 

March 2026

Launched UPlan 2035 with campus wide communications related to planned engagement forums and surveys.

INCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT, EVIDENCE-INFORMED PRIORITIES, CLEAR OBJECTIVES AND KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs).

Engagement

March–June 2026

USask will undertake comprehensive engagement to ensure that all areas of our campus and broader community are fully involved in the development of UPlan 2035. 

  • UPlan campus conversations and town halls: Meaningful dialogue to gather insights, identify opportunities, and surface emerging needs.
  • Strategic insights survey: Gather innovative ideas and bold opportunities that can identify and inform strategic planning processes and priorities.
  • Regional, government, and nations engagement: Engaging consultations and collaborative discussions to uncover insights, explore opportunities, and help anticipate emerging needs.

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Development 

April–September 2026

Building on insights from the campus and community engagement, the UPlan Planning Process will take a deeper dive into the feedback, data, insights, and trends identified to help refine, identify, and shape potential priorities, opportunities, and risks.

Validation and Refinement

May–September 2026

As part of the validation process, the draft UPlan 2035 will undergo a detailed review to:

  • confirm assumptions
  • verify that strategic commitments are aligned with the mission, vision, values and priorities
  • evaluate conditions for success
  • socialize and validate UPlan 2035 commitments and goals
  • seek feedback
  • ensure priorities, goals, and performance metrics are defined and aligned across the university
  • prepare final UPlan 2035 documentation

Strategy day

USask will host a strategy day in September. This event will bring together insights from all engagement forums to confirm and solidify shared priorities. This session builds on consultations, Campus Conversations, and other engagements, ensuring that emerging needs, opportunities, and perspectives are integrated into a unified strategic direction.

APPROVAL AND ENDORSEMENT, LAUNCH, IMPLEMENTATION, MONITORING AND REPORTING.

Approval and Launch

December 2026

Endorsement by governance bodies, and UPlan branding and communications roll-out.

Implementation and Monitoring

January 2027
  • KPI tracking and reporting; qualitative reporting
  • Align planning across the institution

UPlan 2035 events

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