Mississippi State Priorities and Goals

President Malcolm Portera is presenting to the university community a revised and expanded version of the priorities and goals he proposed in fall 1998.

The strategic plan, which appears below, 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.

A university-wide open meeting to discuss the goals statement is set for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, at Bost Extension Center theater. Portera and the vice presidents will respond to questions and comments about the outline for university progress over the next five years.

The document builds on comments received from faculty and staff during fall semester public reviews of the original draft and follow-up discussions with vice presidents, deans, and faculty representatives.

Any member of the university community may make suggestions, pose questions, or offer observations on the proposed goals by sending e-mail to <priorities@msuinfo.ur.msstate.edu>. This document is also online at <msuinfo.ur.msstate.edu/priorities/>.

1. STRENGTHEN LEADERSHIP IN UNDERGRADUATE INSTRUCTION
   1. Mississippi State will become a premier public undergraduate teaching institution.
      1. Every academic program at the university will be the best in Mississippi.
      2. The university will attain prominence among public universities in adjacent states.
      3. Select programs will be among the best in the nation.
      4. Class sizes will be reduced and the number of full-time faculty in the classroom will be increased.
      5. Colleges, schools, departments, and academic support units will establish specific measures of success in their disciplines and develop strategies to achieve them.
      6. The Office of Academic Affairs and the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Institutional Effectiveness will lead development of a university-wide academic assessment and reporting process to measure and document educational outcomes.
      7. Faculty development programs in instructional technology will be expanded.
      8. A collaborative group will be established to deal with student services including, academic advising, athletic advising, developmental programs, the Freshman Year Experience, the Learning Center, and the Academic Advising Center. An advising group made up of faculty and professional staff will develop and conduct advising workshops.
      9. A campus-wide Center for International Programs will be established. The center will report to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and will work closely with Student Affairs.
   2. Mississippi State students will be the most academically talented in Mississippi and will be among the best in the region.
      1. The average composite ACT score for entering freshmen will increase to 25.
      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. At least one-third of the National Merit Scholars from Mississippi will attend Mississippi State.
      5. Academic units will become more heavily involved in student recruiting.
      6. A revitalized Summer Program for Academically Talented Students (SPATS) will be directed by Academic Affairs and will involve the Honors Program, 4-H, and Enrollment Services.
      7. Scholarships designed to attract National Merit Scholars in Mississippi will be enhanced. All academic scholarship applications will be available by September 15 for the following academic year.
      8. The Patrons of Excellence program will be focused on raising annual scholarships for academically talented students and a fund-raising campaign will be conducted in 1999-2000 to increase the scholarship endowment.
      9. A database on visiting prospective students will be developed. Visiting high school students will be provided a university identification card that provides access to student services and provides a means of collecting information.
   3. Students and faculty will be recognized for excellence.
      1. The university will produce a Truman Scholar each year and a Rhodes Scholar within five years, as well as winners of other national scholarships and awards, including Goldwater Scholarships and All-USA College Academic Team recognition.
      2. The university will support an Office for Distinguished External Scholarships with a half-time director, support personnel, operating budget, and space in Mitchell Memorial Library. The office will be operated on a pilot basis for three years. Further goals for producing winners of distinguished external scholarships and other awards will be established through the Office of Distinguished External Scholarships.
      3. Student chapters of professional and honor societies will compete for and win appropriate regional and national competitions.
      4. 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.
      5. A faculty member will be named the CASE National Professor of the Year.
   4. Mississippi State will maintain and build on its history as the People's University by ensuring access and support for students from all sectors of the state's population.
      1. African-American enrollment will reach 20 percent of total enrollment.
      2. Recruiting will be expanded in areas with large minority populations.
      3. Minority alumni will be involved in recruiting and increasing minority scholarships.
      4. Program offerings and funding for the primarily working-adult student population at the Meridian Campus will be enhanced by implementing the strategic plan developed in 1998. An electronic classroom will be created. Cooperative activities between the deans on both campuses will be increased in areas related to faculty recruitment, tenure, and promotion.
      5. Meridian Campus enrollment will increase to 1,500.
      6. Enrollment of community college graduates will increase by 10 percent.
      7. Cooperative academic programs with community colleges will be expanded.
2. ENHANCE NATIONAL PROMINENCE IN RESEARCH
   1. 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. The university will meet the criteria for Carnegie Research I status.
      3. The library will become a member of the Association of Research Libraries.
      4. The library budget will increase by $1 million a year for three years.
      5. Science and engineering research expenditures as reported by the National Science Foundation will increase to $120 million a year.
      6. Federal grant awards as reported by the National Science Foundation will increase to $60 million a year.
      7. 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.
      8. The number of proposals submitted to federal agencies in areas selected to provide return on investment will be increased. These include remote sensing, biotechnology, computational analysis, and other interdisciplinary areas.
      9. The university will work with the Congressional delegation and staffs to obtain major block funding in strategic areas, including but not limited to remote sensing, biotechnology, and computational analysis.
      10. Increased funding will be sought from federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, that historically have provided little funding to the university.
      11. A critical mass of graduate students and faculty including eminent scholars and researchers will be developed in core areas.
      12. New graduate programs will be created in selected areas.
      13. Graduate student stipends will be competitive with those at peer institutions.
      14. A faculty member will be elected to the National Academy of Engineering.
      15. A faculty member in each discipline served by a professional organization that awards the distinction of "Fellow" will be recognized as a fellow of the organization.
      16. Reward structures will be developed to recognize faculty for achievements in sponsored research.
      17. Faculty research proposal-writing workshops will be conducted.
      18. Flexible general laboratory research space, including animal care facilities, will be provided.
      19. Research "councils" will be reorganized to facilitate programmatic planning, policy development, and interdisciplinary project development.
      20. Endowed chairs will be created in remote sensing, biotechnology, and computational analysis.
      21. Efforts to secure foundation grants for research will be coordinated with the Office of Development.
3. PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICE PARTNERSHIPS
   1. Expand partnerships with business and industry, communities, local governments, and public education to apply university expertise to issues affecting Mississippi's citizens and to increase available state revenues.
      1. Relationships with the Mississippi Research and Technology Park will be strengthened.
      2. High-wage jobs will be recruited to the Research and Technology Park.
      3. Spin-off activities in the Research and Technology Park will be encouraged.
      4. The number of spin-off companies created will increase to five annually.
      5. The number of license agreements will increase to 10 annually.
      6. Workshops will be conducted to help increase commercialization of university-developed technology.
      7. Ten federal Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) awards and 10 Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) awards will be won.
      8. The MSU Research Corporation will be formalized to provide increased flexibility in industry partnerships.
      9. Industrial affiliates programs will be expanded.
      10. 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.
      11. 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.
      12. An Economic and Community Development Council will be established to coordinate university involvement in economic and community development.
      13. An Extension/Outreach Strategic Planning Committee will be created to recommend improvements in the structure, coordination, and resource allocation of university extension and outreach programs.
4. EXPAND HUMAN RESOURCES TO ENSURE QUALITY
   1. Enhance faculty quality by increasing the proportion of full-time faculty and making teaching and research loads equivalent to those of peer institutions.
      1. Faculty salaries will reach the Southern University Group average.
      2. Seventy-five new faculty members will be employed over three years at the ranks of assistant professor, associate professor, and professor.
      3. Additional lecturers will be employed in selected disciplines.
   2. Enhance the quality of the professional and support staff.
      1. Staff salaries will be competitive with the market.
      2. State funding will be requested to improve faculty and staff salaries.
      3. A staff classification study will be completed during 1999 to establish baseline data on the relevant job market and establish uniform position descriptions and requirements.
   3. 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.
      2. Minority visiting scholars will be recruited.
      3. The affirmative action plan will be revised and enhanced to include minority-hiring goals, guidelines for "grow-your-own" initiatives, and other active strategies to enhance diversity.
      4. The affirmative action plan will include guidelines on the employment of spouses of faculty and staff recruited to the university.
5. OFFER HIGH-QUALITY RESIDENTIAL LIFE FOR STUDENTS
   1. Enhance student housing to a level that is competitive with off-campus housing opportunities and provides students with the comfort, convenience, and amenities they desire.
      1. A 430-bed apartment building will be constructed by fall 2000.
      2. Six existing residence halls will be renovated.
      3. Public-private partnerships will be developed to enhance student housing.
   2. Provide high-quality campus facilities for student activities.
      1. Colvard Union will be renovated in keeping with student and faculty/staff perceptions of need in the areas of programs, services, and operation.
      2. Lodge-type facilities will be constructed for use by campus organizations, including African-American fraternities and sororities.
      3. An outdoor swimming pool will be constructed to complete the upgrade of campus recreation facilities.
   3. 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 substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and other dangerous behaviors.
      2. The university will expand and enhance education efforts and security operations to minimize campus crime.
6. PROVIDE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
   1. Require accountability of academic and administrative units and strengthen budget management by reallocating resources to support priorities.
      1. Historical spending data will be reviewed and funding allocations will be adjusted as appropriate.
      2. The university will eliminate reliance on lapsed salaries for recurring expenditures.
      3. Departments will eliminate reliance on lapsed salaries for operational support.
      4. 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.
      5. A university motor pool will be established.
   2. Use reward systems that emphasize merit and performance review.
      1. Vice presidents, deans, and directors will ensure that meaningful staff performance reviews are conducted regularly and linked to salary adjustments.
      2. Academic deans will ensure that each faculty member's teaching load reflects his or her research and service productivity.
   3. Ensure private sector support for the university through a comprehensive fund-raising program.
      1. Private contributions from all sources will increase to $50 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 $14 million a year.
      5. Fund-raising will focus on scholarships, endowed chairs, building renovations, and library acquisitions.
      6. The university will plan and begin a comprehensive major gifts campaign.
      7. The university will join with other colleges and universities to create a partnership with state government that provides some state matching funds for private gifts in support of scholarships and/or endowed chairs.
   4. Increase awareness and understanding of the university's unique role in the state as a comprehensive land-grant, research institution.
      1. External communications will support university priorities.
      2. External communications programs will be recognized for excellence in annual competition sponsored by District III (Southeast) of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education in institutional relations, media relations, and public affairs, and will compete for national recognition.
   5. Use innovative methods to improve and sustain relationships with alumni and friends, offer new and improved alumni services, and increase alumni involvement in the life of the university.
      1. The Alumni Association will be the premier organization among its peers.
      2. New alumni service programs and new alumni chapters will be established.
      3. Alumni relations programs will be recognized for excellence regionally and nationally by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.
7. PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY PHYSICAL INFRASTRUCTURE
   1. Provide high-quality environments for learning, working, and living.
      1. Classrooms will be improved in keeping with the adopted classroom standards report.
      2. Roads, streets, and parking lots will be upgraded in keeping with the adopted assessment document. Street and parking improvements will be financed in part by developing a better approach to parking fees.
      3. Deteriorating buildings will be renovated; new construction will be limited.
      4. Building renovations will be financed through private fund-raising and limited use of bonding authority.
      5. Networking of the campus will be completed, with all residence halls to have CAT5 cabling.
      6. The university will provide an aesthetically pleasing campus environment.
      7. The university will develop a campus-wide plan for space utilization.
8. ATTAIN ATHLETIC COMPETITIVENESS IN ALL SPORTS
   1. Compete and win in every sport in which the university participates.
      1. The university will win Southeastern Conference championships in all sports.
      2. The university will be represented each year in post-season play in all sports.
      3. The university will win an NCAA championship.
   2. 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 lead the Southeastern Conference in student-athletes named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in all sports combined.
   3. Enhance athletics facilities and funding.
      1. Scott Field will be expanded to include skyboxes and club-level seating.
      2. The football season ticket base will be expanded to 35,000.
      3. Corporate support for football will be expanded.
      4. Private contributions will increase to $8 million a year.
      5. A football parking and gathering place will be created west of Scott Field.
   4. Ensure gender equity and minority equity in athletics programs.
      1. The minority and gender equity plans adopted in December 1998 will be implemented.
      2. All athletic teams and related groups will have minority representation.
      3. The percentage of female athletes will equal the percentage of females in the student population.
      4. Minorities will be appointed as administrators and head coaches.
      5. Salaries and professional opportunities for women administrators and coaches will be comparable to those for men.