University priorities and goals for the next five years have taken shape. President Malcolm Portera announced in May the completion of a strategic plan that he initially outlined in fall 1998.

The statement of eight major priorities and 130 specific goals is intended to provide focus and direction to efforts at all levels as the university moves into the 21st century. Established priorities can provide a framework for budgeting and planning and for critical decisions that will help determine how well the university fulfills its purpose, Portera said.

The blueprint for the future was revised and expanded as a result of public review and comment received from faculty and staff during open meetings on campus.

The complete statement of goals and priorities is available on the Internet at http://msuinfo.ur.msstate.edu/priorities/. Major priorities and a sampling of the more specific goals include:

Strengthen leadership in undergraduate instruction. The university will attain prominence among public universities in adjacent states. The average composite ACT score for entering freshmen will increase to 25. The six-year graduation rate will be at least 60 percent. At least 50 percent of the Mississippi university students who score 28 or higher on the ACT will enroll at Mississippi State. At least one-third of the National Merit Scholars from Mississippi will attend Mississippi State. African-American enrollment will reach 20 percent of total enrollment. Meridian Campus enrollment will increase to 1,500.

Enhance national prominence in research. The university will rank among the top 50 public research universities as reported by the National Science Foundation. The library will become a member of the Association of Research Libraries. The library budget will increase by $1 million a year for three years. Science and engineering research expenditures as reported by the National Science Foundation will increase to $120 million a year. The number of doctoral degrees awarded in engineering, physical sciences, environmental sciences, mathematics, computer sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and cognitive science will increase to 75 a year. Endowed chairs will be created in remote sensing, biotechnology, and computational analysis.

Promote economic development and service partnerships. Expand partnerships with business and industry, communities, local governments, and public education to apply university expertise to issues affect-ing Mississippi's citizens and to increase state revenues. The MSU Research Corporation will be formalized to provide increased flexibility in industry partnerships. Industrial affiliates programs will be expanded. The university will strengthen and maintain partnerships with major agribusiness industries and commodity groups. The university will work with public schools and community colleges to secure federal and state grants in support of education programs related to workforce development and training. Teacher preparation programs will stress skills and competencies that meet employer expectations and will work with public schools to enhance instruction in foreign languages, mathematics, science, and technology.

Expand human resources to ensure quality. Increase the proportion of full-time faculty and make teaching and research loads equivalent to those of peer institutions. Faculty salaries will reach the Southern University Group average. Seventy-five new faculty members will be employed over three years at the ranks of assistant professor, associate professor, and professor. Staff salaries will be competitive with the market. The university will increase the proportion of minorities and women in categories in which they are underrepresented.

Offer high-quality residential life for students. A 430-bed apartment building will be constructed by fall 2000. Six existing residence halls will be renovated. Public-private partnerships will be developed to enhance student housing. Colvard Union will be renovated. The university will heighten efforts to educate students about substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and other dangerous behaviors, and expand and enhance education efforts and security operations to minimize campus crime.

Provide effective management systems. The university will require accountability of academic and administrative units and strengthen budget management by reallocating resources to support priorities. Duplication in administrative and academic support services will be reduced and unnecessary positions will be eliminated whenever possible to support movement toward fewer but better paid staff members. Private contributions from all sources will increase to $50 million a year. The university endowment will increase to $250 million. New alumni service programs and new alumni chapters will be established.

Provide high-quality physical infrastructure. Classrooms will be improved. Roads, streets, and parking lots will be upgraded. Street and parking improvements will be financed in part by developing a better approach to parking fees. Deteriorating buildings will be renovated; new construction will be limited. Networking of the campus will be completed. The university will provide aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sustainable surroundings and an accessible campus for persons with disabilities.

Attain athletic competitiveness in all sports. The university will win Southeastern Conference championships in all sports. The university will be represented each year in post-season play in all sports. 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. The university will lead the Southeastern Conference in student-athletes named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in all sports combined. Scott Field will be expanded to include skyboxes and club-level seating. The football season ticket base will be expanded to 35,000. All athletic teams and related groups will have minority representation. The percentage of female athletes will equal the percentage of females in the student population. Minorities will be appointed as administrators and head coaches.