Immediate priorities with metrics to be tracked in the 2010 year in bold; long term priorities not bold

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 1. STUDENTS. To offer undergraduate and selected graduate educational experiences of excellence, both curricular and co-curricular, which engage students with faculty and staff to meet their diverse needs. (Recruitment, retention, financial support, distance education, curriculum, academic excellence, student engagement, communication, and student life)

1. Increase enrollment of on-campus students by a minimum of 2% per year while maintaining or increasing quality standards for entrance such as SAT, ACT, GPA and class rank.

2. Increase enrollment in distance education by a minimum of 3% per year

3. Increase pool of Mirabeau Scholarship applicants by a minimum of 10% per year with greater geographical representation.

4. Increase number of student recruiting contacts outside the primary three-county region by a minimum of 5% per year.

5. Increase retention rates for all full-time freshmen by a minimum of 2% a year, while increasing retention rates for underrepresented freshmen by at least 2% per year.

6. Increase 6-year baccalaureate graduation rate by a minimum of 2 percentage points a year.

7. Develop a plan to incorporate at least one student professional development activity in each undergraduate degree program by June 1, 2010.

8. Develop a plan for mentoring students in each undergraduate degree program and present the plans to the Dean or Associate Provost by June 1, 2010.

9. Develop and implement procedures for assessing general education and guiding improvements by January 1, 2010.

10. Increase on-campus housing to a minimum of 2,500 beds by fall 2010.

11. Increase the use of active and collaborative learning strategies in targeted freshman classes by at least 5% by Sept 1, 2010.

12. Implement student advisory boards in each college and general studies, including the graduate college, by June 1, 2010.

13. Develop a plan to increase number of and compensation for graduate assistantships by June 1, 2010.

14. Develop a plan to measure student community service/outreach activity across the university.

15. Implement a university-wide student advisory board convened regularly by senior administration to provide student input on university issues.

16. Increase number and value of scholarships.

17. Study demand for academic programs (existing/future) and develop responses to that demand.

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2. FACULTY AND STAFF.  To attract, develop, and reward a staff and a faculty of teacher-scholars committed to the mission and values of Lamar University. (Salaries, benefits, research, service, staffing, professional development)

1.  Conduct a study to determine what would be required to establish faculty salaries at the 50^th percentile or above by rank and discipline as compared against the THECB-defined peer institutions by September 1, 2010.

2. Establish salaries of classified and non-classified staff at the 50^th percentile or above by job classification as compared against the THECB-defined peer institutions by September 1, 2011.

3. By Sept. 1, 2010, improve by 2% the number of student credit hours in lower division and core courses taught by full-time faculty.

4. Develop a merit pay plan for staff (both exempt and non-exempt-with the exception of the President) based on approved performance evaluation processes by September 1, 2011.

5. Establish a faculty professional development center and develop an incentive and participation plan approved by the Provost by June 1, 2010.

6. Designate funds to be used to address faculty salary compression and inversion on a case-by-case basis by September 1, 2010, and continue to do so in subsequent years.  The allocation of such funds must be approved by the Provost and the President based upon recommendations of the appropriate Dean/Director and the University Faculty Salary Equity Committee.

7. Increase faculty community/public service activities by percentages determined by colleges/departments.

8. Increase faculty scholarly/creative activities by percentages determined by colleges/departments.

9. Designate funds to be used for market adjustments for faculty and staff salaries on a case-by-case basis, for groups or individuals.  The allocation of such funds must be approved by the Provost/appropriate Vice President and the President based upon recommendations of the Dean/Director/Department Head and the University Faculty Salary Equity Committee.  (Note:  In the case of adjustments to staff salaries, the committee will be expanded to include two officers of the Staff Senate.)

STRATEGIC DIRECTION 3.  DIVERSITY.  To promote a rich and varied campus culture through diversification of programs, services, and people. (Curriculum, co-curriculum, staffing, cultural issues)

 1. During the 2009-2010 academic year, each college multicultural enhancement committee will implement at least one (1) curricular/ co-curricular program that demonstrates the college’s commitment to “….  DIVERSITY in ideas, people, and access” and the development of students’ abilities to function in a multicultural world.

2. The division of Student Affairs will sponsor at least two (2) cultural diversity programs for the university community each academic year.

 3. During the 2009-2010 academic year, implement the plan for enhancing multicultural interactions among students and student organizations created by the Student Director of Multicultural Programs and Volunteerism.

 4. Enhance study abroad options.