|
Leadership for the 21st Century I. STRENGTHEN LEADERSHIP IN UNDERGRADUATE INSTRUCTION A. Mississippi State will become a premier public undergraduate teaching institution. 1. Academic units will establish specific measures of success in their disciplines and develop strategies to achieve them. The Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Institutional Research will lead development of a university-wide academic assessment and reporting process. 2. The University Honors Program will expand access to lower-division honors courses for talented students and provide increased opportunities for study abroad, internships, and independent research. Upper division Honors Program components will be established in the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business and Industry, Education, Engineering, and Agriculture and Life Sciences. 3. A campus-wide Center for International Programs will be established and a global perspective will be integrated throughout the curriculum. 4. Academic Affairs and Student Affairs will lead development of a coordinated approach to academically oriented summer programs for high school students. 5. A strategic plan for growth and development of the Meridian Campus will be developed by the Meridian dean and the faculty and staff, and cooperation will increase between the Starkville and Meridian campuses in areas related to faculty recruitment, tenure, and promotion, and in regional economic development. 6. Cooperative academic programs with community colleges and other universities will be expanded. 7. All academic support services, including the University Academic Advising Center, Athletic Academic Advising, and the Learning Center will be located in a single facility. 8. Support services for international students will be improved. 9. Resources in information technology will be expanded. 10. The university will seek to establish a chapter of Phi Beta Kappa to provide an additional avenue for recognition of students in the liberal arts and sciences. B. Mississippi State students will be the most academically talented in Mississippi and among the best in the region, and MSU will maintain its tradition as the People's University by ensuring access and support for all sectors of the population. 1. The average composite ACT score for entering freshmen will increase from 23.5 to 24.5. 2. The six-year graduation rate will be at least 60 percent. 3. At least 50 percent of the Mississippi university students who score 28 or higher on the ACT will enroll at Mississippi State. 4. Mississippi State will enroll at least 50 National Merit/National Achievement scholars in the freshman class. 5. African-American enrollment will reach 20 percent of total enrollment, and the university will enhance diversity in all colleges and departments. 6. The number of transfer students entering the university will increase to 1,600. 7. The university will assist students in preparing to compete successfully for distinguished national awards and designations such as Truman Scholar, Rhodes Scholar, Goldwater Scholar, and other national scholarships. 8. The university will ensure full access to academic programs for persons with disabilities. 9. The university will expand mentoring programs and other intervening strategies to enhance the rate of success among students whose academic preparation places them at risk of academic failure. 10. The university will develop a program to actively promote academic integrity. C. The instructional faculty will be among the best in the region. 1. The proportion of full-time faculty in the classroom will be increased from 72 percent to 75 percent. 2. The proportion of full-time faculty holding an appropriate terminal degree will increase from 83 percent to 85 percent. 3. A Mississippi State faculty member will be named the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Professor of the Year in Mississippi at least every other year, and a faculty member will be named the CASE National Professor of the Year. 4. Each college will recognize a faculty member each year for outstanding teaching. II. ENHANCE NATIONAL PROMINENCE IN RESEARCH AND GRADUATE EDUCATION A. Attain recognition as a top-tier national research university. 1. The university will rank among the top 50 public research universities as reported by the National Science Foundation. 2. Science and engineering research expenditures as reported by the National Science Foundation will increase to $200 million a year. 3. Federal awards excluding financial aid will increase to $120 million a year. 4. The library will compare favorably with those of peer research institutions and will attain membership in the Association of Research Libraries. 5. The number of fully endowed chairs will increase from 10 to 25. 6. The number of original works produced by faculty and accepted for publication will increase from 2,049 to 2,800. 7. The number of research proposals submitted will increase from 1,100 to 1,300. 8. A faculty member will be elected to the National Academy of Engineering and the National Academy of Science. 9. A faculty member in each discipline served by a professional organization that awards the distinction of "fellow" will be recognized as such. 10. Each college will recognize a faculty member each year for outstanding research. 11. A limited number of top priority areas for research emphasis will be identified. B. Strengthen graduate education. 1. The total number of graduate degrees awarded will increase, and the number of doctoral degrees awarded each year will exceed 100. 2. The stipend for graduate assistants will be increased and the number of graduate students participating in externally funded research projects will increase. 3. The proportion of African-Americans in graduate programs will increase from 6 percent to 10 percent. III. PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICE PARTNERSHIPS A. Expand partnerships with business and industry, communities, local governments, and public education to increase state revenues and promote economic development. 1. A "second-generation" research and technology park will be established. 2. The number of spin-off companies created will average five per year. 3. The number of new license agreements will average 10 a year and royalty income will increase by 15 percent a year. 4. The university will assist public schools and community colleges, local governments, business and industry, and other entities and organizations in the design and implementation of workforce training and development programs. 5. The university will work with the Mississippi Development Authority and local and regional economic development organizations to recruit high-wage and high-tech industry to Mississippi. 6. The university will collaborate with schools throughout the state to enhance the effectiveness of teaching and learning, help meet employer expectations, and prepare a workforce that enables the state to compete effectively in the modern economy. 7. The university will increase extension/outreach programming in agriculture and forestry, business and industry, and community and government leadership. B. Expand partnerships with business and industry, communities, local governments, and public education to engage university expertise with issues affecting Mississippi's citizens. 1. The university will establish a coordinated and consolidated extension and outreach system. 2. The university will increase 4-H youth development enrollment and educational opportunities and 4-H will continue to be the largest youth-serving organization in Mississippi. 3. The university will expand research-based family and consumer education extension/outreach programs that will be delivered statewide. 4. The university will adopt a global perspective in research and service and will strengthen and maintain partnerships with universities, research institutes, and corporations in other countries. 5. The university will increase its emphasis on life-long learning as part of the extension and outreach effort. 6. Each college will recognize a faculty member each year for outstanding service. 7. Criteria will be established that allow for service to be appropriately recognized in promotion and tenure decisions. 8. University Libraries will develop new technology-based consortia to share resources statewide, regionally, and nationally. 9. The university will develop an interdisciplinary research and outreach emphasis on serving the needs of rural populations in areas such as healthy behaviors, early childhood education, youth development, community development, and economic development. 10. The university will partner with communities to assist them in development and maintenance of their public environments to foster quality of life and economic growth. IV. ENSURE HIGH-QUALITY LIVING, LEARNING, AND WORKING ENVIRONMENTS A. Design and implement a comprehensive facilities planning and management system that encompasses construction and major renovation and addresses needs including technology infrastructure, energy efficiency, landscaping, and parking. 1. Update the Campus Master Plan annually. 2. Develop a classroom improvement plan and management system. 3. Develop and implement a plan for a pedestrian-friendly campus. 4. Provide an accessible campus for persons with disabilities. 5. Continue to enhance the aesthetic qualities of the campus by requiring that all construction and major renovation projects incorporate plans and funding for landscaping, lighting, and accessibility. 6. Base maintenance, renovation and capital development priorities on university strategic plans and academic program plans and audits of existing and projected physical capacities. B. Continue to enhance and expand the university technology infrastructure. 1. Implement a wide area network infrastructure linking the campus, county Extension offices, and Research and Extension Centers. 2. Expand capabilities and infrastructure to deliver extension/outreach programming and library resources and services via distance education and the Internet. 3. Improve accessibility of web pages and web-based classes for persons with disabilities. 4. Enhance and expand instructional and classroom technologies. 5. Expand and enhance the campus voice, data, and video network, including network infrastructure, server systems, personal computers, and software. 6. Increase security and disaster recovery capabilities. C. Enhance student housing and facilities supporting extracurricular activities. 1. On-campus housing will be improved, taking into account the concept of residence halls as living and learning communities. 2. Colvard Union will be renovated to improve programs, services, and operation and to provide appropriate space for use by campus organizations. 3. Outdoor recreation and fitness facilities will be expanded and improved, with enhancements to include the construction of an outdoor swimming pool. D. Continually review and improve programs to promote and protect the health and safety of university students. 1. The university will heighten efforts to educate students about obesity, nicotine use, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and other dangerous behaviors. 2. The university will expand and enhance education efforts and security operations to enhance campus safety. V. ASSURE EFFECTIVE HUMAN RESOURCES AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS A. Increase faculty and staff salaries. 1. Faculty salaries will reach the Southern University Group average. 2. Staff salaries will become more competitive with the market. B. Ensure that the university is inclusive at all levels. 1. The university will increase the proportion of minorities and women in EEOC categories in which they are under-represented. Human Resources Management will produce a quarterly report on changes in staffing levels by race, gender, and EEOC category. 2. The affirmative action plan will be enhanced to include minority-hiring goals; to ensure equal access to positions by persons with disabilities; and to include guidelines on the employment of spouses. 3. The university will develop a "grow our own" program to help increase faculty diversity. Up to three doctoral fellowships will be awarded annually to prospective faculty members. 4. The university will expand and enhance employee education programs that promote diversity and provide employees with the skills to perform in a culturally diverse environment. 5. The university will recognize and reward faculty and staff for their contributions to diversity. C. Manage resources and budgets for maximum efficiency, productivity, and accountability. 1. Resources will be reallocated annually to support university priorities. 2. The university's educational and general fund balance will be improved from 7 percent to 10 percent of the budget. 3. The university's credit rating will improve from A2 to A. 4. External auditors' opinions on university financial reports will include no adverse findings. 5. Improvements in administrative systems will be implemented using data management technologies to advance institutional management information and decision support systems, reduce paperwork, and maintain productivity with fewer administrative and staff positions. 6. Meaningful performance reviews will be conducted annually for all staff and will be linked to salary adjustments. 7. Academic deans will ensure that each faculty member's teaching load is consistent with his or her research and service productivity. D. Provide a program of training and development that improves organizational effectiveness and fosters the professional growth and productivity of university employees. 1. The university will provide expanded professional development opportunities for faculty to enhance work-related success, growth, and career development. 2. The university will provide additional opportunities for staff to develop the core competencies that lead to enhanced performance and provide the basis for staff development. 3. The university will develop programs that further understanding of how job performance and employee contributions help the university achieve its goals. VI. ENSURE SUPPORT FOR THE UNIVERSITY FROM ALUMNI, FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF, AND THE PUBLIC A. Increase private giving to the university. 1. Total giving, including gifts and pledges from all sources, will exceed $60 million a year. 2. The university endowment will increase to $250 million. 3. The scholarship portion of the endowment will increase to $100 million. 4. Corporate and foundation support will increase to $25 million a year. 5. The university will join with other colleges and universities to advocate a partnership with state government that provides some state matching funds for private gifts in support of scholarships and/or endowed chairs. 6. The university will conduct a comprehensive major gifts campaign focusing on scholarships, endowed faculty positions, library resources, and buildings. B. Increase understanding of the university's unique role in the state as a land-grant, research institution and heighten national visibility. 1. External communications will support university priorities and help build greater statewide and national visibility for areas of strength. C. Improve and sustain relationships with alumni and friends. 1. The Alumni Association will provide new and expanded alumni service programs, with particular emphasis on using technology to provide career assistance for graduates. 2. The Alumni Association will improve systems for gathering and maintaining information about alumni achievements and career moves that contributes to assessment of educational outcomes. VII. ATTAIN ATHLETIC COMPETITIVENESS IN ALL SPORTS AND ENSURE ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF STUDENT ATHLETES A. Ensure the academic success of athletes. 1. The overall six-year graduation rate for student-athletes will be at least 60 percent, and graduation rates in each sport will be at least 50 percent. 2. The university will be among the leaders in the Southeastern Conference in student-athletes named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in all sports combined. B. Compete and win in every sport in which the university participates and assure compliance with NCAA and conference rules. 1. The university will win Southeastern Conference championships in all sports and will be represented each year in post-season play in all sports. 2. The university will win an NCAA championship. C. Enhance athletics facilities and funding. 1. An athletic academic center will be constructed and will include an athletic merchandising store and museum. 2. The football season ticket base will be expanded to 40,000. 3. Corporate support for football will be expanded, and private contributions for athletics will increase to $8.5 million a year. 4. A football parking and gathering place will be created west of Scott Field. D. Ensure gender equity and minority equity in athletics programs. 1. All athletic teams and related groups will have minority representation. 2. The percentage of female athletes will equal the percentage of females in the student population. 3. Minorities will be appointed as administrators and head coaches. 4. Comparability in salaries and professional opportunities for female and male administrators and coaches will be maintained. |
Copied from: http://msuinfo.ur.msstate.edu/priorities/