• LSU is a distinctive institution with special opportunities: we must make the most of these attributes--for example, the unique culture and history of our state, our strategic relation to the Caribbean and to Central and South America, and our resource-rich wetlands and coasts.
  
• LSU is a public institution: we must provide access to
  excellence and we must be accountable, always showing that LSU has used its resources wisely and efficiently.
  
• LSU is committed in practice and by policy to equal rights for all, to providing a learning environment and a workplace free of intolerance, discrimination, and any form of harassment or violence, whether by virtue of religion, race, national origin, gender, or any other of the attributes that create the rich diversity of our LSU community.
  
• Planning and assessment are continuous and essential processes: we must know where we are heading and how to gauge our progress.
  
• Shared governance is a fundamental principle: we must work as a team, with full respect for dialogue and due process.

• LSU must offer excellent curricula and must attract, retain, educate, and graduate highly qualified students.
• LSU must attract, retain, develop, and support excellent faculty and staff.
• LSU must facilitate and encourage teaching, research, and service that benefit society and advance knowledge.
• LSU must contribute to the social, economic, and cultural well-being of the state, the nation, and the world.

Objective 1.1: To enroll students who will succeed at LSU.

Objective 1.2: To provide opportunities for the development of interdisciplinary connections and approaches to learning.

Objective 1.3: To provide competitive financial aid and scholarship programs for undergraduates and competitive stipends for graduate and professional students.

Objective 1.4: To help students achieve personal and academic goals through outstanding academic and professional advising, counseling, and career services.

Objective 1.5: To provide faculty with professional development and support in order to improve teaching.

Objective 1.6: To develop a wide variety of experiences and support programs outside the classroom that enrich the emotional and intellectual development of students.

Objective 1.7: To provide extensive internship, service-learning, and community service opportunities.

Objective 1.8: To promote inside and outside the classroom an informed commitment to ethical conduct.

Objective 1.9: To support lifelong learning through credit and non-credit programs.

Objective 1.10: To assess and continuously improve curricula.

Objective 2.1: To foster mutual respect and tolerance.

Objective 2.2: To recruit and retain students, faculty, and staff from underrepresented groups.

Objective 2.3: To promote the international and multicultural aspects of curricula.

Objective 2.4: To support the international exchange of faculty and students.

Objective 2.5: To foster relationships with foreign universities and institutions.

Objective 3.1: To evaluate the needs of the University, determine priorities, and reallocate accordingly, with emphasis on investment in departments and interdisciplinary areas that will enhance the quality of the entire institution.

Objective 3.2: To make administrative processes and functions as efficient and facilitative as possible.

Objective 3.3: To assign decision-making authority to the lowest appropriate level.

Objective 3.4: To cross-train personnel for increased responsibility and authority.

Objective 3.5: To use campus facilities efficiently.

Objective 3.6: To investigate all outsourcing opportunities.

Objective 4.1: To recruit and retain scholars of the highest distinction.

Objective 4.2: To provide mentoring and encourage professional development.

Objective 4.3: To implement participatory management techniques that involve all faculty and staff.

Objective 4.4: To administer a regular, predictable, equitable compensation program with competitive benefits and annual merit raises based upon clear criteria and rigorous, consequential performance evaluations for all faculty, staff, and administrators.

Objective 4.5: To support participation in professional and service organizations.

Objective 4.6: To provide promotional opportunities and multi-year contracts to outstanding faculty with non-tenurable appointments.

Objective 4.7: To encourage and support wellness programs for all members of the campus community.

Objective 5.1: To invest in the technological and physical infrastructure required for a nationally competitive research university.

Objective 5.2: To invest more in research, including matching funds, start-up funds, and maintenance of equipment.

Objective 5.3: To develop a culture that encourages, supports, and rewards scholarly and creative activity, including the scholarship of teaching.

Objective 5.4: To support technology development and transfer, to foster partnerships with external entities, and to develop spin-off companies, with special emphasis on economic development for the state of Louisiana.

Objective 5.5: To establish a Research Foundation.

Objective 6.1: To develop under academic leadership and implement a Master Plan for technology and electronic information.

Objective 6.2: To provide state-of-the-art educational technology and training in its use.

Objective 6.3: To provide support for the Libraries at a level that is nationally competitive.

Objective 6.4: To achieve an appropriate balance of printed and electronic information resources.

Objective 6.5: To be a leader in developing and publishing learned journals in electronic formats.

Objective 6.6: To develop and deliver electronic learning programs in areas in which LSU has distinctive competencies, market advantages, and the ability to develop programs in very cost-effective ways.

Objective 6.7: To promote among students, faculty, and staff mastery of information technology and high skill levels in information retrieval, assessment, interpretation, and application.

Objective 7.1: To pursue a campus facilities planning process driven by the University's strategic plan, by needs assessment, and by an architectural, aesthetic vision.

Objective 7.2: To invest regularly in the upkeep of University facilities in order to ensure preservation of the historic values of the campus and appreciation of LSU's physical assets.

Objective 7.3: To ensure that routine facilities services provide a campus that is well maintained, environmentally safe, and physically attractive.

Objective 8.1: To coordinate public relations, governmental and corporate relations, and fund-raising.

Objective 8.2: To encourage, recognize, reward, and publicize individual achievement by faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

Objective 8.3: To ensure effective communication with the internal and external stakeholders of the University.

Objective 9.1: To enhance academic programs and faculty and student rewards and stipends through giving from individuals, foundations, and corporations.

Objective 9.2: To secure state allocations commensurate with those of peer, flagship institutions.

If you need assistance, the following resources are available to you: Center for Assessment and Evaluation (51 Himes/8-1145), Enterprise Solutions Group/Application Service Center (Frey Computing Center/4-2775), Assessment Advisory Council/Program Review Office (137 Thomas Boyd Hall/8-5730), and Office of Budget and Planning (311 Thomas Boyd Hall/8-1231).