Louisiana State University National Flagship Action Agenda 2003-2010 (click here for the PDF printable version)
Preamble: Since its beginnings in 1860, LSU’s history has been a story of growth and transformation. As the flagship institution for the state, LSU has long been recognized for a rich intellectual environment and
distinctive educational programs that are rooted in the unique culture, history, and geography of
Louisiana.
The National Flagship Agenda is a seven-year plan to bring LSU to a new level of excellence. It focuses on action steps that increase research and scholarly productivity and the quality and competitiveness of our graduate and undergraduate students. The outcomes are designed to place LSU in a position to compete on all levels with the finest public universities in the country. As a national flagship institution, LSU will advance knowledge and intellectual inquiry by promoting groundbreaking research; produce enlightened citizens by fostering critical thinking, ethical reflection, historical understanding, and cultural appreciation; enhance Louisiana by converting scientific and technological discoveries into new products and processes, by preparing an informed and creative labor force, and by applying university resources to solve economic, environmental, and educational challenges.
Achieving the National Flagship Agenda will require an increase in resources from a variety of sources–federal, state, and private. LSU needs faculty and supporting staffs comparable to its peers,
start-up funds for establishing research centers and programs, competitive undergraduate scholarships and graduate student stipends, new and renovated space for research laboratories, student housing, and faculty offices, and incentives, rewards, and increased support budgets that promote and sustain faculty and student productivity.
The Agenda recognizes that, as a public institution, LSU must be accountable and accessible, always demonstrating that it has used its resources wisely and efficiently. Shared governance is a fundamental principle: we must work as a team, with full respect for dialogue and due process.
Objective of the National Flagship Agenda
After you have reviewed the National Flagship Action Agenda (Draft), please give us your feedback in the Flagship discussion board.
Objective 1. Increase research productivity in support of long-term economic development.
Actions: |
1. Add 150 faculty and provide for appropriate support staff.
2. Increase graduate assistants by 50%, and double the number of post-doctorate positions.
3. Increase laboratory space by 50% for strategic growth in targeted areas to support increases in federal research productivity.
4. Increase annual library collections and access to scholarly material by 50%.
5. Strengthen technology infrastructure as outlined in the IT Master Plan.
6. Eliminate barriers to securing resources for productive research.
7. Support PK-16+ teacher reform and underlying research. |
Outcomes: |
1. Funding from federal grants and contracts will be doubled.
2. Information technology, biotechnology research, and other targeted initiatives will be recognized as national centers of excellence.
3. LSU will achieve research excellence in highly-competitive areas that are essential, special to Louisiana, cutting-edge technology, or specialty areas.
4. Continuous growth in patents, copyrights, and other forms of intellectual property. |
Objective 2: Increase number and quality of graduate students and programs
Actions: |
1. Increase total number of high quality graduate students, particularly in doctoral fields that complement research strengths and in key areas of leadership and development for the state.
2. Continue to increase diversity of graduate students and faculty.
3. Increase quality and competitiveness of graduate programs through targeted investments and systematic program review. |
Outcomes: |
1. The number of graduate assistantships will increase by 50% (tied to Objective 1), and the graduate student population will comprise 20% of student enrollment.
2. Graduate students will represent a diverse population of highly competitive students.
3. Graduate faculty will be increased, strengthened and more diverse.
4. Targeted programs will achieve national prominence. |
Objective 3: Increase quality of undergraduate students and programs
Acitons: |
1. Increase undergraduate admission standards and move to a more competitive and holistic admissions model. Strategically recruit and retain top students.
2. Increase recruitment, orientation, and retention efforts for transfer students.
3. Provide a broad array of nationally-competitive undergraduate degree programs through systematic review and targeted investments.
4. Provide innovative learning experiences that complement and enhance academic programs including international, multi-cultural, and interdisciplinary programs. |
Outcomes: |
1. The LSU student population will be highly competitive with peers ( freshman profile of3.6 overall high school grade-point average and average 26 ACT/1200SAT, freshman-to sophomore retention rate 88-90%, 5-year graduation rate of 55%, 6-year graduation rate of 64%).
2. The percentage of enrolled transfer students will double.
3. Students will be highly competitive in the job market or admitted to top graduate programs.
4. Students will satisfy key learning outcomes of being able to communicate ideas and information; plan, organize and evaluate projects; work in teams and with diverse populations and constituencies; apply mathematical concepts and problem solving techniques; and use technology appropriate to their fields. |
Objective 4: Improve quality of campus life
Actions: |
1. Increase effectiveness of programs and services that support student, faculty, staff and administrator success.
2. Increase diversity and inclusiveness of LSU, with increased emphasis on recruiting and retaining minority students and faculty, providing a workplace free of intolerance or discrimination.
3. Increase the quality of the working, learning, and living environment. |
Outcomes: |
1. LSU will receive national recognition as an innovative and competitive working/learning environment for outstanding students, faculty, and staff.
2. LSU will have a more diverse and inclusive community, increasing the population of minority students, faculty, and staff and increasing underrepresented populations in upper administrative and faculty ranks.
3. New and renovated facilities, including residential halls, classroom/laboratory spaces, recreational spaces, and landscaping will be funded in strategic areas and in concurrence with the Facilities Master Plan. |
Objective 5: Assess LSU’s progress and communicate achievements
Actions: |
1. Systematically and objectively monitor LSU’s progress and address the key areas of concern.
2. Make a concerted effort to nominate students, faculty, and staff for national awards.
3. Student, faculty, and staff achievements.
4. Identify and invest in opportunities to inform national organizations and news sources on LSU’s progress. |
Outcomes: |
1. LSU will update its progress and reassess investments based on its progress in achieving objectives.
2. LSU will increase the number of informed and supportive constituencies at the local, state, and national levels.
3. LSU will receive national recognition for accomplishments in key publications and rankings. |
Objective 6: Increase funding sources to support Objectives 1-5
Actions: |
1. Increase federal, state, and private dollars used for campus renovations and new building initiatives.
2. Increase state general fund direct support.
3. Create targeted revenue streams for research from state and federal funds.
4. Raise private funds to support undergraduate scholarships, graduate student stipends, and key academic initiatives.
5. Increase tuition annually.
6. Increase Academic Excellence Fee for all LSU undergraduates. |
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