Strategic Planning Assumptions, as of Nov. 12, 2003

(in no order of priority)

Arkansas State University will continue to be a student-centered institution committed to educating, serving, and meeting the changing needs of students in and out of the classroom.

Enrollment

· Competition for student enrollment will increase.

· ASU will remain financially competitive with comparable institutions.

· ASU will remain academically accessible.

· The student recruitment demographics will include a greater percentage of people of diverse races.

· Creative outreach, recruitment, and retention activities will be critical to continuing enrollment growth.

Resources and Facilities

· State funding will increase, but may decrease as a percentage of the overall operating budget.

· External funding will increase.

· New funding sources will become increasingly important.

· Research funding from federal and private sources will increase.

· ASU will obtain commensurate state-funding comparable with other institutions of our size and mission.

· Funding for instruction will increase.

· Tuition and fees will reflect increasing costs of operation.

· ASU will continue to expand and replace physical, informational, and technological facilities and equipment.

· ABI funding will continue at or above its current level.

· State assessment and accountability will drive academic funding.

· The cost of acquiring qualified faculty and staff and providing faculty and staff development opportunities will increase.

Curriculum and Instruction

· Various instructional delivery models will continue to be used and new models will evolve.

· Technology will continue to play a vital role in the facilitation of learning.

· Ongoing program assessment outcomes will impact curricular decisions.

· Undergraduate quality education will continue to be the primary emphasis of the university.

· Graduate education will play a more prominent role at the university.

· Demand and competition for qualified full-time and part-time faculty will increase.

· ASU will continue to seek and maintain appropriate accreditation of academic and support programs.

Administration and Institution

· Strategic planning will be active and ongoing.

· The ASU System will receive greater emphasis.

· The ASU Intercollegiate Athletic Program will continue to be challenged to meet funding requirements of NCAA division 1A status.

· Institutional assessment and accountability will continue to increase.

· ASU will continue as a significant component of the engine for economic development in the region.

· ASU will be responsive to business, civic, and governmental communities.

· While ASU is a university with a regional and global mission, the Delta will remain a special focus.