Louisiana State University
PAE-2: Strategic Plan

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. Louisiana's natural resources, geography, culture, and native industry afford LSU unique research and educational opportunities. Many of the historically strong programs at LSU—such as oil and gas research, coastal issues, French language, Southern history and literature, music, geology, geography, chemistry, and chemical engineering—correspond to the state's distinct attributes. In forging the National Flagship Agenda, LSU intends to capitalize on the natural wealth of the state, while providing a foundation for future growth.

In creating the Flagship Agenda, the University community took stock of the bountiful natural, human, and commercial advantages of our state and region. Maximizing those assets for the mutual benefit of the state and University would lead to greater returns for everyone. Having the proper human resources is a major part of a successful university; however, people will not reach their potential in an environment that is not innovative and supportive. To continue construction and renovation projects on and around campus and enhance the living environment, LSU will take the following actions. Actions: Improve quality of campus life (Opjective 4) 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 and women students and faculty, providing a workplace free of intolerance or discrimination. 3.Increase the quality of the working, learning, and living environment. Through a renewed University-community partnership, LSU is cultivating a more hospitable living environment. The convergence of highly talented people in a comfortable living-learning environment is the overarching goal of the Flagship Agenda. The best faculty researchers in the best laboratories will fulfill LSU's mission of research, education, and service to the state.

Building a truly competitive national flagship university requires a commitment of time, effort, and resources from our faculty, staff, students, the state and federal governments, and private donors. 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, 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. LSU's vision for the future parallels Louisiana's economic development plan, Vision 2020. The state has developed a tripartite plan to offer life-long education, attract industry, and improve the quality of life. LSU offers a nationally competitive education for the knowledge economy workforce. The state's cluster-driven economic development plan funnels attention to burgeoning economic sectors—such as nanotechnology and bioinformatics—in which LSU has already made significant strides.