November 18, 2002

As The University of Texas at Tyler steps into the new millennium, we are keenly aware that this new era will be much more complex and demanding than the last one. It will be characterized by rapid changes in demographics, growth of an information-age economy, and revolutionary technological advances. The 21st Century will also place new pressures and demands on universities to be more accountable and more affordable, to serve an increasingly diverse society, and to deliver education using alternative models. The University must be positioned to meet these realities in order to prepare students to meet the challenges of a fast-paced and shrinking world. The University of Texas at Tyler welcomes the challenge, and in doing so will become the distinctive choice for those seeking academic excellence, opportunity for personal and professional growth, and a dynamic environment for learning in the new millennium.

In order to make rational decisions about the future, the University undertook a planning process that examined the environment for higher education in East Texas, realigned our mission and vision, and established new goals, objectives, and strategies that provide a map to follow in the next decade. In that process we have discovered that not only must the University change to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, but so too must students, for they will be entering an era when higher education will be more valuable than it has ever been before.

Challenges for Students
University students will need to take more responsibility for their learning, for exploring and understanding complex concepts, and for accurate analysis and creative synthesis. They must become fully engaged, active partners in the educational process, learning to navigate through the rich information environment that exists outside of the classroom and challenging themselves to become intellectually vigorous in order to acquire, evaluate and use the information available to them. In short, students must not only learn, they must also acquire the skills to learn effectively on their own.

University students will need a stronger general and theoretical knowledge of the humanities, arts, and sciences in order to become lifelong learners who will embrace and welcome the challenges brought by change and uncertainty. Students must become aware of the past and possibilities for the future; practice critical thinking and orderly judgment; become involved in self discovery; and understand the importance of being caring, effective, and responsible citizens. The humanities, arts and sciences will give students the tools to make the right choices that not only shape their own intellectual, emotional and spiritual lives, but also the world around them.

University students will need to strengthen their practical knowledge and skills in the professions in order to be productive sooner. In a truly fast-paced world, university graduates who are more productive immediately upon graduation will be more employable. Moving quickly and effectively into the workforce will help assure their long-term success and return the value of a public education to the community much sooner.

University students in the new millennium will also need to acquire certain attributes and attitudes that form the foundation of their success. They must understand, appreciate, and even celebrate human diversity in order to participate in a pluralistic society. As geographical boundaries become more transparent in the global economy, university graduates will need to understand that they are an integral part of a larger set of systems and cultures that transcend state and national boundaries. The new millennium will witness a world where demands for human rights, social justice, and greater freedom will be heard across the globe. Thus, students will need to understand the relationships among national and transnational communities and among competing and contrasting cultures.

University students also will need to develop their communication skills and their ability to work with others in small and large groups. Students will need to possess a strong set of leadership skills because tomorrow's world will demand broadly educated and very productive leaders who are creative, flexible, independent, humane, and unfailingly ethical. Tomorrow's leaders must have intellectual depth and breadth to creatively solve problems, and they must have the courage to act and to bear prudent risks. They also must understand and value diversity, respect the responsibilities that come with leadership, and have the ability to change and grow.

Challenges for The University of Texas at Tyler
Just as our students must invest in their education, so too must the University. The University of Texas at Tyler is transforming itself into a four-year, comprehensive, regional university with a full range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Only a comprehensive university that emphasizes the integration of liberal arts and professional education can provide the depth and breadth of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that students will need for success in the new millennium.

The University will respond by creating the "U. T. Tyler Tradition”-a solid foundation for successful learning that is based in the humanities, arts, and sciences and that fosters rigorous intellectual growth and academic development in all disciplines. The "U. T. Tyler Tradition" will provide the "cornerstone" for preparing students to accept and even anticipate the multiple transitions they will make during their lives. This distinctive curriculum will provide the necessary base of knowledge and engage students in self-discovery where they develop the art of reflection and embrace intellectual challenges.

The University also will meet tomorrow's challenges by providing students the opportunity for multidisciplinary exploration of global issues. We will continue to value and promote racial and cultural diversity and harmony in our academic programs as well as in our student body, faculty, and staff. We will provide an optimal environment for the success of our students by creating a campus culture where intellectual, academic, social, and cultural opportunities abound. The University will take advantage of its small size and invest its resources and efforts in the individual student by instilling knowledge, first and foremost, and strengthening skills, developing talents, clarifying values, and helping to promote a sense of integrity and personal confidence.

The University of Texas at Tyler also will respond by becoming an information technology leader. The faculty will continue to integrate technology into the classroom to enrich our programs and assure that students are prepared for a society transformed by new technologies. The University will also use technology as a major campus resource to enhance communication and to extend learning throughout East Texas and beyond.

And, most importantly, the University pledges to meet the challenges of the new era by continuing to adhere to the basic principles and values of the academy. The University will continue to foster an intellectual climate that values productivity, performance and accountability in teaching and learning; inspires excellence and creativity; celebrates the free and open exchange of ideas; and that honors critical thinking, intellectual curiosity and integrity. The University also will encourage faculty to explore new ways for them to teach and for students to learn, to enhance research and creative endeavors, to build programs of excellence, and to enrich and develop the people and communities that surround us and support us.

The University is ever mindful of its obligation to provide high-quality educational opportunities for even more citizens who might not have considered attending college in bygone days. This need to provide greater access while keeping tuition affordable, has serious financial implications for higher education. We must respond by becoming more entrepreneurial. That is, faculty must be encouraged to pursue new sources of funds, new partnerships, and new program opportunities demanded by our students and that can add value to society.

Finally, U. T. Tyler intends to do everything it can to reach its potential as a component of the renowned University of Texas System and as an institution supported by the State of Texas.
U. T. Tyler, for the intermediate term, expects to be classified a Masters Level I institution with selected doctoral programs. Because of the existence of several excellent junior and community colleges in its immediate region, the University finds it unnecessary to be an “open enrollment” institution because such access for high school graduates already exists. Nor would it be appropriate for U. T. Tyler to have unusually high or elite admission standards, given its mission and the needs of its region. Consequently, U. T. Tyler should be a comprehensive, coeducational, high-quality institution with moderately selective admissions standards.

The Process of Change at The University of Texas at Tyler
As a relatively young, university, U. T. Tyler has undertaken several planning efforts to guide its growth. Each plan necessarily underpins the next. The current process of strategic planning began during the 1997-98 academic year with excellent work done by the University’s Strategic Planning Team. Following a change in leadership, the University continued its planning process by gathering additional information from campus constituencies, beginning with ideas and ideals expressed by students in several focus groups in the fall of 1998.

Next, a Commission on the Future of the University was established in the spring of 1999 through which civic, business, and educational leaders from Tyler, East Texas, and The University of Texas System expressed their thoughts about the future direction of the University. In particular, that group articulated the economic and social needs of East Texas and the role that an expanding university should play in raising educational levels and fostering economic development in the region.

The challenge of developing a strategic plan-one that would position the University for success as an effective institution of higher education and a vehicle for economic development and useful social change-returned to the university’s faculty, staff, and students in late spring and summer of 1999. The Strategic Planning Team used the information gathered to draft a vision for the University and set of goals, objectives, and strategies. That plan was widely disseminated and discussed within the University community and was modified and refined.

Throughout the process, faculty, staff, and students listened carefully to each other and to external voices. They worked creatively to establish the bold new vision for the University that is outlined in the following pages. That new vision and strategic plan is evolutionary in one sense, but the direction taken and the opportunities outlined are nothing short of revolutionary for this emerging institution of higher learning, The University of Texas at Tyler.

II. Guiding Principles and Beliefs

The New Millennium Vision is anchored firmly in the basic values and traditions of The University of Texas at Tyler. To focus the strategic thinking and leadership of the University, a set of guiding principles and beliefs were adopted. These principles will serve as anchors as the University strives to accomplish its goals and to take its place among the finest institutions of higher education in the nation.

III. Vision

“U. T. Tyler will be nationally recognized for its excellent programs in the professions and in the humanities, arts, and sciences. Guided by an outstanding and supportive faculty, its graduates will be known for the quality of their knowledge and for their integrity, leadership ability, communication skill, technological competence, and global awareness.”


IV. Proposed Mission

The University of Texas at Tyler is a comprehensive, coeducational institution of higher education offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs as a component of the renowned University of Texas System. The University of Texas at Tyler’s vision is to be nationally recognized for its high quality education in the professions and in the humanities, arts and sciences, and for its distinctive core curriculum. Guided by an outstanding and supportive faculty, its graduates will understand and appreciate human diversity and the global nature of the new millennium. They will think critically, act with honesty and integrity, and demonstrate proficiency in leadership, communication skills, and the use of technology.

The University is committed to providing a setting for free inquiry and expects excellence in the teaching, research, artistic performances and professional public service provided by its faculty, staff and students. As a community of scholars, the University develops the individual’s critical thinking skills, appreciation of the arts, humanities and sciences, international understanding for participation in the global society, professional knowledge and skills to enhance economic productivity, and commitment to lifelong learning.

Within an environment of academic freedom, students learn from faculty scholars who have nationally recognized expertise in the arts and sciences, and in such professions as engineering, public administration, education, business, health sciences, and technology. The faculty engages in research and creative activity, both to develop and maintain their own scholarly expertise and to extend human knowledge. The results of that research and other creative efforts are made available to students in the classroom and to the general public through publication, technology transfer and public service activities. The institution also seeks to serve individuals who desire to enhance their professional development, broaden their perspectives, or enrich their lives.

V. Ten-Year Goals

1. Develop a distinctive core curriculum-the U. T. Tyler Tradition-that serves as the foundation for a truly effective, broad university education.
   
   
2. Emphasize excellence and strive for national recognition in all educational programs.
   
   
3. Develop innovative, highly demanded professional programs in all colleges.
   
   
4. Create an exciting community of learning throughout the University that fully and actively engages all students.
   
   
5. Establish the University as a leader in the teaching and use of information technology.
   
   
6. Increase and enhance faculty research and creative productivity by providing more encouragement and more support resources.
   
   
7. Enhance the quality of campus life and the beauty of the campus for students, faculty, and staff so that both are among the nation’s best.
   
   
8. Increase meaningful community service and promote the economic development of Tyler, Longview, Palestine and all of East Texas.
   
   
9. Exercise continued excellent stewardship over the University’s fiscal and physical resources.
   
   
10. Increase enrollment to 7,000 by attracting and retaining a diverse and qualified student body.
    
    

VII. Objectives and Strategies for Reaching Each Goal

Goal 1. Develop a distinctive core curriculum-the U. T. Tyler Tradition-that serves as the foundation for a truly effective, broad university education.

The University of Texas at Tyler strongly believes in providing a broad university education, one that educates the whole student so that its graduates can expect to not only enjoy more economic and career success, but also enjoy a fuller and more meaningful life by contributing significantly to the development of a well-functioning, civil, and compassionate society. No matter what degree program a student pursues, U. T. Tyler’s faculty members recognize that the integrated foundation provided by the academic substance and methodological rigor of the humanities, arts, and sciences is the essential difference between a technical education and a university education. Therefore, the "cornerstone" for the University’s four-year baccalaureate degree programs will be the “U. T. Tyler Tradition,” a distinctive and substantive core curriculum emphasizing broad learning in the humanities, arts, and sciences and including basic applications found in the professions.

The “U. T. Tyler Tradition” will emphasize acquiring critical thinking, communication and leadership skills, using and understanding information technology, appreciating diversity, being aware of global issues and international cultures, and understanding, valuing and practicing civility, honesty and the highest level of personal integrity. U. T. Tyler graduates will not only be able to think analytically and communicate well, they will know about the world and people around them, with exposure to subjects ranging from history and geography and art to finance, health, education and physical activities.

These skills, perspectives, understandings and attributes developed in the "U.T. Tyler Tradition" will not stop with the core, but also will be included and developed in the upper-division major courses. This seamless and integrative approach recognizes the fact that, for example, leadership and communication skills cannot be learned by presenting them only in courses dedicated to leadership of speech, but that these skills must be practiced and integrated into the daily activities of learning accounting, political science and mechanical engineering. Only by using this integrated approach to the “U. T. Tyler Tradition” will we ensure that graduates of The University of Texas at Tyler are truly educated and acquire and absorb the other attributes and skills needed to be productive and responsible citizens.


Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler’s lower-division students will complete a comprehensive core curriculum-the "U. T. Tyler Tradition"-- that will help provide them with a true, university education by emphasizing a broad understanding of the humanities, arts, and sciences, including foundation elements from the practical professions.

Strategies:

Consider establishing a “University College” and establish a faculty group to design and implement the “U. T. Tyler Tradition” and to monitor and enhance the quality of this experience. (Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Encourage faculty to develop a curriculum for the “UT Tyler Tradition” that includes elements from all disciplines, including physical activities, and important elements from the professions. Instruction in the “U. T. Tyler Tradition” should include interdisciplinary courses, and emphasize interdisciplinary team teaching and interdisciplinary student team projects. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Establish an interdisciplinary, cooperative team of faculty with representatives from each college to assist faculty across the campus in carrying the “U. T. Tyler Tradition” through each major. (Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Maintain and enhance communication and cooperation with area junior colleges as the “U. T. Tyler Tradition” is being created, asking those colleges to assist with presenting that curriculum, but also assuring them that students with a different, regular general education will be welcome and well-prepared transfer students, just differently prepared. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Core Curriculum Committee)

Establish philosophy, goals, measurable objectives, and appropriate assessment mechanisms for the "U. T. Tyler Tradition." (Core Curriculum Committee and University College)

Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler’s students will learn to think analytically and demonstrate critical thinking ability.

Strategies:

Include critical thinking in the "U.T. Tyler Tradition" courses as well as in courses in the major. (Core Curriculum Committee, Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Develop tools for assessing critical thinking abilities produced by the “U. T. Tyler Tradition” curriculum. (Core Curriculum Committee, Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Office of Institutional Research)


Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler’s students will learn to be excellent communicators, receiving instruction in communication and being given many opportunities to practice oral and written communication skills in almost all of their coursework and in other student activities.

Strategies:

Include the development and practice of communication skills in the "U.T. Tyler Tradition" and in the major programs where appropriate. (Deans)

Establish a Writing Center to help students correct their writing weaknesses and further develop their written communication skills. (Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Sponsor programs for students that serve to develop their communication ability, ranging from debate teams and student newspapers to performance activities. (Deans, Dean of Student Affairs)

Establish philosophy, goals, measurable objectives, and appropriate assessment mechanisms for the communication component of the "U. T. Tyler Tradition." (Core Curriculum Committee and University College, Office of Institutional Research)


Objective:

U. T. Tyler students will learn to be effective leaders.

Strategies:

Include instruction in leadership, and provide frequent practice opportunities, in the "U. T. Tyler Tradition" curriculum as well as in the majors wherever possible. (Core Curriculum Committee, Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Sponsor programs to help students develop leadership skills, ranging from an active Student Government program and Model U. N. exercises to residence hall advising and volunteering. (Dean of Student Affairs, Deans)

Encourage professional, honorary, and service organizations in all appropriate academic areas. (Deans)


Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler’s students will be very proficient in the use and understanding of information technology.

Strategies:

Include the understanding of information technology and the implications of its applications, as well as opportunities to learn how to use information technology proficiently, in the “U.T. Tyler Tradition" curriculum and in courses in the majors where appropriate. (Core Curriculum Committee, Deans Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Encourage faculty to use technology in the teaching of their courses in the appropriate manner and amount. (Core Curriculum Committee, Deans Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Equip classrooms, where needed, with appropriate state-of-the-art technology and provide training and assistance to faculty in the use of technology. (Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Increase access to electronic resources in the Library. (Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler’s students will have opportunities to learn about, understand and appreciate the diverse peoples of the world and the global society in which we live.

Strategies:

Include perspectives on diversity of people and cultures as well as global issues in the
"U. T. Tyler Tradition" and the majors where appropriate. (Core Curriculum Committee, Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Recruit international students to most of U. T. Tyler’s academic programs so that they represent a significant portion of our student body. (Dean of Enrollment Management, Deans)

Sponsor programs that highlight the various cultures represented on campus and that promote learning and cultural exchange. (Dean of Student Affairs and External Relations, Deans)

Increase support for study abroad programs and international exchange of faculty. (Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler’s students will have opportunities to learn about, reflect on and practice the importance of high personal integrity, honesty, honor and civil conduct.

Strategies:

Include the teaching and discussion of ethics and integrity in all courses whenever it is useful and appropriate, and outside of class whenever possible and appropriate. Faculty will keep the highest possible standards of integrity and teach by example. (Deans)

Determine which required core courses, if any, might be suitable for including the teaching of values and ethics. (Deans)

Goal 2. Emphasize excellence and strive for national recognition in all educational programs.

The University of Texas at Tyler is already an excellent university with outstanding programs. The University, however, is committed to improving its undergraduate and graduate programs continuously and to responding to emerging needs and interests by adding new innovative academic programs at the highest level. U. T. Tyler students deserve nothing less than academic programs that are recognized to be among the nation’s best.

The University reaffirms its commitment to providing degree programs that foster intellectual growth, prepare students for successful employment, and emphasize the knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to participate as responsible citizens in a diverse, democratic society. The University simply will not waver in its commitment to academic excellence, which means that U. T. Tyler has programs of true substance and value, not just difficult standards. The University reaffirms its commitment to teach all students in appropriate ways that maximize learning and give qualified students who apply themselves the opportunity to graduate.

The University also remains committed to providing quality educational opportunities throughout East Texas, and especially in Longview and Palestine, by any appropriate means-including using interactive video transmission and developing additional campuses.

Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler will provide excellent academic programs that foster intellectual growth, creativity, innovation and an open exchange of ideas, and will search for opportunities to provide unique, high-demand programs that fill niches and can gain rapid recognition.

Strategies:

Fill faculty vacancies with full-time faculty. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Explore ways to incorporate and build on the core competencies in critical thinking, communication and leadership, information technology, diversity and internationalism, and important values. (Deans)

Encourage faculty to explore curricula that emphasize interdisciplinary courses, interdisciplinary team teaching, and interdisciplinary student team projects. (Deans)

Develop capstone experiences in the majors that demonstrate students’ knowledge and competence in their chosen discipline. (Deans)

Encourage expanded development of course offerings and degree programs at Longview and Palestine campuses. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Establish philosophy, goals, measurable objectives, and appropriate quality assessment mechanisms for academic programs in each college (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Office of Institutional Research)

Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler will identify programs of excellence in which the University can exploit current strengths and build opportunities.

Strategies:

Explore re-establishing the University Honors program. (Vice President for Academic Affairs and Deans)

Identify and fund new or existing centers of excellence that make connections between the University’s intellectual resources and the needs of East Texas. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Objectives:

The University of Texas at Tyler’s graduates will secure challenging and rewarding jobs, or be accepted to graduate school. (Deans and Career Services)

The University of Texas at Tyler’s students completing baccalaureate or master’s degrees, who seek admittance to graduate programs, will score in the top one third of test takers on the appropriate admittance test. (Deans)

The University of Texas at Tyler’s students completing undergraduate degrees will seek and be admitted to graduate programs in a proportion that is above the state and national averages. (Deans)

Strategies:

Provide career development, job, and placement services, including active recruiting and also advising students about opportunities for graduate work. (Deans, Student Affairs, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Establish career centers where appropriate. (Deans)

Goal 3. Develop innovative, highly demanded professional programs in all colleges.

The University of Texas at Tyler will build on its historical strength in producing excellent graduates in the professions, ranging from nursing and education to accounting, criminal justice, journalism and engineering, for example. The University will continue to invest considerable portions of its effort, time, and resources to develop nationally recognized professional and pre-professional programs in all of its colleges. Recognizing and strengthening this focus will enable the University to become even better known for graduating individuals who are ready and able to pursue productive professional careers.

The development of these excellent and innovative professional programs will require not only building additional facilities and equipping them well, but also recruiting and retaining outstanding, nationally recognized, faculty and high-ability students.

Objectives:

The University of Texas at Tyler will enhance existing professional degree programs and will add new professional programs that are in demand as soon as possible.

The University of Texas at Tyler’s students completing baccalaureate and master’s degrees will pass their appropriate licensing or certification requirements at rates higher than the state and national averages.

Strategies:

The Colleges will determine, within their responsibility and consistent with the mission and vision of the institution, which programs should seek, achieve, and maintain national accreditation. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Some new programs to be considered should include the following. (Note that some of the pre-professional programs listed here already exist at U. T. Tyler, but are not named as such nor included in the catalog at this time.)

• civil engineering/environmental engineering
• graphic design and computer art
• management/accounting information systems
• manufacturing management
• construction or project management
• pre-law
• pre-medicine
• pre-dentistry
• pre-pharmacy
• athletic training or similar programs
• allied health technology
• doctoral program in educational administration
• doctoral program in psychology/gerontology
• doctoral program in nursing

Set standards, review test data and make appropriate recommendations for curriculum alterations to continuously improve pass rates. (Institutional Research, Deans and Graduate Council)

Establish a process in appropriate programs for students to apply for certification or licensing. (Deans)


Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler will be recognized by a majority of the employers in the region for providing opportunities for field-based learning experiences.

Strategy:

Provide field-based learning experiences where appropriate. (Deans)

Objective:

Maintain the high quality of education graduates and increase the overall number of certified teachers produced each year and, especially, the number of certified science and math teachers.

Strategies:

Consider adopting U. T. Austin’s exemplary “UTeach” program to attract more science and math students into the teaching profession. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Education Dean, Sciences and Mathematics Dean)

Insist that all professors and departments on campus become knowledgeable about and responsible for teacher preparation success. (Vice President for Academic Affairs , Liberal Arts Dean, Other Deans).


Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler must provide the necessary space for its current programs as they expand enrollment and for any new ones.

Strategies:

Construct a Nursing/Allied Health Building (President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Nursing, Director of Development, Vice President for Business Affairs)

Construct an Engineering, Science and Technology classroom and laboratory building. (President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Deans of Engineering and Science and Math, Director of Development, Vice President for Business Affairs)

Construct a building or remodel existing space to house the College of Education and Psychology. (President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of Education and Psychology, Director of Development, Vice President for Business Affairs)

Goal 4. Create an exciting community of learning throughout the University that fully and actively engages all students.

Students at The University of Texas at Tyler experience a wide variety of teaching methodologies because faculty members are sensitive to the fact that students respond to different teaching methods. Nevertheless, truly motivated and engaged students learn more through the processes of mutual discovery and application of knowledge. The University will emphasize teaching methods that put learning as the primary goal in a variety of contexts, including active, collaborative, service or experiential learning. Fulfillment of this goal to fully engage students in active learning processes requires students to take more responsibility for their learning and to work collaboratively with other students, and requires faculty members to serve more as mentors than as lecturers in the learning process.

The University will encourage and reward the use of new and effective pedagogies, the effective use and application of technology, as well as the adoption of better measures of student success and mastery. Faculty members will also engage students in their research activities in order to provide strong learning opportunities while stimulating interest in the importance of research.

Students will continue to enjoy the broad opportunities of a high-quality, comprehensive university, while at the same time benefiting from maintaining the attributes of a private university-relatively small class sizes, multiple opportunities to engage in excellence activities, individual attention from a supportive faculty, and a primary focus on learning. The University will admit quality students and provide a “private university education at public university prices.”

Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler will be recognized as one of the best public universities in the nation for its learning environment-one where students are fully engaged participants in their work in a variety of ways and faculty members serve as mentors and learning coaches as much as lecturers.

Strategies:

Provide the resources and incentives for continuous improvement and development of teaching, especially emphasizing ways to engage students in the learning process. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Fill faculty vacancies with full-time faculty who demonstrate well-above-average teaching ability and a commitment to continuous professional development of their teaching skills. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Establish a Center for Teaching Effectiveness. (Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Develop a comprehensive faculty evaluation process that includes student and peer input and emphasizes teaching productivity. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Office of Institutional Research)

Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler will develop and enhance opportunities for students to participate in a variety of excellence activities including performance and research.

Strategies:

Establish an Academic Excellence Fund to support students who participate in learning activities that enrich the academic experience. (President, Director of Development)

Provide seed money or supplement efforts to secure external grants for undergraduate research experiences. (Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Develop grant and gift resources to fund additional graduate research assistantships. (Deans, Director of Development, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Goal 5. Establish the University as a leader in the teaching and use of information technology.

Faculty members at U. T. Tyler believe that the ability to use information strategically will be critical in creating a competitive advantage for students. The University will strive to develop the ability of its students to use information technology effectively in their work and daily lives, and to understand fully its effect on society as well as its productive potential. Graduates and faculty will be skilled in finding, processing, and applying information in decision-making. U. T. Tyler’s information systems will be state-of-the-art and will serve as the central hub influencing, supporting and integrating academic and administrative processes across the University.



Objective:

The University will become known as the leader in East Texas in using technology in teaching and learning, and its graduates will be known to be among the most proficient graduates in the use of information technology.

Strategies:

Encourage and support faculty, students and staff in using technology in teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity in a significantly expanded way. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Equip classrooms and laboratories with the latest information technology (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Business Affairs, Deans)

Equip faculty offices with appropriate technology to support teaching and research. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Deans, Departments)

Establish a technology resource unit within the Center for Teaching Effectiveness to provide support and training for faculty in the use of technology in teaching. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Deans, Departments)

Encourage every faculty member to establish, at minimum, a web page for each course they teach and a faculty web page. (Deans, Departments)

Increase student and faculty off-campus access to communication technology (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Business Affairs)

Encourage development of web-based, web-enhanced and/or web-assisted courses and programs, where appropriate. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Deans, Departments)

Enhance the number and quality of programs delivered by interactive television. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Deans, Departments)

Review merit, tenure and promotion criteria across colleges to ensure that use of technology in teaching and research is appropriately encouraged, recognized and rewarded. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Deans, Departments)

Develop incentive programs to encourage faculty members to use technology in teaching and research. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Deans, Departments)

Establish intermediate goals, measurable objectives and appropriate mechanisms to assess progress toward realizing this “information technology leader” goal. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Office of Institutional Research)

Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler’s students will enhance their understanding and use of information technology to be the best among graduates within their discipline.

Strategies:

Provide on-campus computer labs with current software and hardware needed to create high-quality information technology learning experiences. (Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Consider expanding access to high-end software by purchasing campus-wide licenses (Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Encourage faculty to incorporate substantially more student use of information technology in their courses where appropriate (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Deans, Departments)

Increase the library’s on-line subscriptions to databases and full-text services, as well state-of-the-art document delivery systems to support both teaching and research. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Library)

Establish philosophy, goals, measurable objectives, and appropriate mechanisms to assess students’ mastery of technology. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Deans)

Objective:

The University will maintain and enhance its information technology infrastructure to improve academic, business and administrative processes and productivity. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Business Affairs)

Strategies:

Build a short-and long-range plan for campus technology. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Business Affairs)

Develop an annual process to assess needs for technology and the supporting services required to support the mission of the University. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Business Affairs)

Enhance the capability of the Office of Institutional Research. (Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Enhance connectivity from off-campus for both faculty members and students (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Business Affairs)

Continue to improve student information services by providing more access and flexibility
(President, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Goal 6. Increase and enhance faculty research and creative productivity by providing more encouragement and more support resources.

While faculty at The University of Texas at Tyler are proud to acknowledge that their primary function is teaching, they also acknowledge the importance of their research, scholarship, and creative activity. These activities contribute to the advancement of knowledge, improvement of faculty expertise and performance, discovery of solutions to economic and social problems, and, ultimately, the reputation of the University. Equally important, however, the act of discovery through research and creative activity can be one of the most effective ways to engage students and enhance the learning experience.

The University recognizes that additional research support resources-faculty release time, computer and software resources, graduate assistants and competitive summer research “seed” grants-must be provided.

The University of Texas at Tyler will increase its research and creative output significantly by ten percent per year across all colleges.

Strategies:

Establish an Office of Research to promote a climate of scholarship in all its forms including the creation and dissemination of new knowledge and the sharing of creative activity. (Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Provide opportunities for professional faculty development, including semester leaves and travel funds. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Provide summer research incentive grants to complete smaller research projects, to develop research programs and to write federal and state research proposals. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Provide two additional research assistants per college and one FTE release time slot per college to be used by one person annually or split among two or more faculty to complete research or scholarly projects with well-defined deliverables. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler will encourage and enhance the ability of faculty to be promoted.

Strategies:

Fill faculty vacancies with full-time faculty who demonstrate a record of success and a commitment to research, scholarship and creative activity. (Deans)

Make research and other intellectual contributions an explicit part of the criteria for merit salary increases, promotion and tenure criteria in all departments and colleges. (Vice President for Academic Affairs and Deans)

Encourage faculty to prepare annual performance plans that include goals for research and creative activity. (Vice President for Academic Affairs and Deans)

Review each college’s promotion and tenure criteria and train evaluation committees to clearly evaluate progress toward promotion and tenure. (Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Continue to implement the “Periodic Review of Tenured Faculty Process” and improve the process while adding rigor to the criteria for satisfactory performance. (Vice President for Academic Affairs and Deans)


Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler will substantially increase the number of research and performance leaders on campus.

Strategies:

Enhance institutional advancement and fund raising for faculty professorships and chairs, graduate fellowships, and research excellence funds. (President, Director of Development)

Enhance the Development Office’s fund raising capability so that they may successfully solicit individuals, foundations and corporations. (President, Director of Development)

Establish as “top-five” fund-raising priorities faculty chairs/professorships and excellence funds for faculty/academic programs. (President, Director of Development)

Establish a Faculty Research Excellence Fund that will award up to eight research stipends a year to outstanding faculty. (President, Director of Development)

Establish a minimum of one endowed chair per college within five years. (President, Director of Development)

Establish a minimum of two endowed professorships per college within ten years. (President, Director of Development)

Develop an endowed graduate fellowship program and/or provide more graduate research assistantship funds in the budget. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Graduate Council, Director of Development)

GOAL 7. Enhance the quality of campus life and the beauty of the campus for students, faculty, and staff so that both are among the nation’s best.

The University of Texas at Tyler recognizes the importance of a dynamic student life on campus, where students can develop skills and attributes necessary for full and successful participation in society. Through a strong student life program that includes cultural activities, recreation, intramural and competitive sports, academic skills enhancement, special trips, study abroad, residential life, and student organizations, students can develop such skills as leadership, teamwork, creative and critical thinking, and ethical decision making. Thus, the University will work hard to create a strong student life program and develop a campus environment that is energetic, uplifting, and inclusive. In addition to building a robust campus life program, the University must add state-of-the-art facilities that support the educational, social, and cultural needs of the University. At U. T. Tyler, students, faculty, and staff value and recognize each other and work together to build our very special learning community.

The University also recognizes that its park-like campus is a unique and precious element contributing to the quality of campus life for all. The University reaffirms its commitment to retain and enhance the park-like quality of its campus, making U. T. Tyler the “natural resort university.”


Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler will significantly improve facilities to support a dynamic student life on campus.

Strategies:

Construct a Health and Kinesiology/Recreation/Convocation Center building-this is critical, absolutely the number one priority for U. T. Tyler. (President, Director of Development)

Construct one or more “tradition-building campus icons” such as a bell tower or significant wishing well or student patio/plaza to improve campus life and campus identity. (President, Director of Development)

Construct both intramural and competitive venues for soccer, softball/baseball, volleyball, track, golf and other appropriate sports. (President, Dean of Student Affairs)

Consider the possibility of constructing a faith, prayer or meditation center or other facility with strong youth activities and programs and access to area youth ministers, as requested by students. (President, Dean of Students Affairs, Director of Development)

Construct an alumni center with space to house career services and interview facilities and space for the necessary campus entertaining of special supporters of the University. (President, Dean of Student Affairs, Director of Development)

Plan for providing additional on-campus housing and food services as student demand grows. (Dean of Student Affairs)
Provide appropriate health services for students through on-campus, as well as off-campus, facilities and programs. (Dean of Nursing, Dean of Student Affairs)

Remodel and then return the second floor of the University Center to student center uses after the College of Education and Psychology moves to other quarters.(President, Director of Development, Dean of Student Affairs)


Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler will increase the variety of student life activities and increase their overall quality so that students begin to list student activities second, after academic strength, as the reason they came to U. T. Tyler and stayed.

Provide academic assistance and career services. (Dean of Student Affairs)

Support strong and active student associations. (Dean of Student Affairs)

Increase campus activities for part-time and full-time students. (Dean of Student Affairs)

Increase intramural sports offerings and begin appropriate competitive sports for both women and men. (Dean of Student Affairs)

E stablish effective alumni organizations. (Director of Development)

Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler will maintain the aesthetic quality and continually (and appropriately) enhance the natural beauty of its grounds and overall campus.

Strategies:

Increase landscaping throughout the campus, emphasizing low-maintenance, environmentally natural plantings. (Vice President for Business Affairs)

Construct parking garages to avoid “asphalting over” the campus. (Vice President for Business Affairs)

Acquire adjacent properties to protect the campus and for future expansion where appropriate. (Vice President for Business Affairs)

GOAL 8. Increase meaningful community service and promote the economic development of Tyler, Longview, Palestine and all of East Texas.

The University will serve the community and also help promote economic development in a wide variety of ways, including through research and creative activities that are community-based, project-oriented and problem-solving. The University will continue to extend its educational role and its economic impact in the region by reaching beyond the Tyler campus to Longview, Palestine, and other cities throughout East Texas. The University will further serve the region by increasing its continuing education offerings. The University of Texas at Tyler will maintain and further expand its role as the cultural center for East Texas and the primary forum for exchange of ideas. It will continue to offer and expand its world-class lecture series and performing arts series.

Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler will be perceived by East Texans to be the primary forum for exchange of information on current issues.

Strategies:

Host an increasing number of academic conferences with encouragement, funding, and support provided by the administration. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Continue to host the annual Distinguished Lecture Series and increase its quality and marketing. (President, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

Establish an Office of Continuing Education. (Vice President for Academic Affairs)

In cooperation with the City and County, construct a Continuing Education Conference Center. (President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Director of Development)

The University of Texas at Tyler will maintain its close ties to local school districts and will be a leader in efforts to improve the performance of local school districts.

Strategies:

Host academic conferences on school performance, such as speakers from the Education Trust in Washington, D. C. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Deans)

Take a lead role in school performance improvement by forming or creating “K-16” programs that align and bond together the school systems and universities for the benefit of each. (Deans, Vice President for Academic Affairs)

The University of Texas at Tyler will increase its community-based and project-oriented research and educational services to the East Texas region- at least three faculty members in each college will annually provide free or paid professional services to East Texas cities, counties, school districts or other public bodies.

The University will create centers of excellence that connect the academic, research, and service resources of the University to the business and public needs of East Texas-the University will work closely with area economic development organizations (e.g., Tyler Economic Development Corporation and Longview Partnership) to accomplish this objective.

The University of Texas at Tyler will provide educational, cultural, and community programs that affirm the diversity of cultures in the region.

Strategies:

Continue to expand educational opportunities to the region through distance education, particularly in Longview and Palestine. (Vice President for Academic Affairs, Deans)

Conduct a survey of the region to identify the current perception of all constituencies concerning the University’s role in cultural diversity. (President, Director of Development, Deans)

GOAL 9. Exercise continued excellent stewardship over the University’s fiscal and physical resources

Having a financial strong and efficiently run university are essential elements of U. T. Tyler’s future success. The University must optimize the benefit it can obtain from the resources it receives from the State, its students and its private supporters. That optimization not only stretches the University’s resources and helps assure their proper allocation, but it instills confidence in the institution and makes it much easier to obtain additional resources, as needed, from all three sources. In addition, the University is expecting significant, even explosive growth, which will require considerable expertise, planning, monitoring, and creativity to assure that the necessary funds are in place for expansion. Fortunately, the University is blessed with outstanding financial and business personnel.

The University of Texas at Tyler will receive positive affirmation of its strong accountability for resources by System, State, Federal, and University auditors on the appropriate cycles. (Vice President for Business Affairs)

The University of Texas at Tyler will continue to maintain an amount equal to at least two (2) months operating expense in financial reserves. (Vice President for Business Affairs)

The University of Texas at Tyler will have an effective business compliance process in place to monitor contractual, legislated, and other agreements and obligations. (Vice President for Business Affairs)

The University of Texas at Tyler will increase and improve its administrative computing infrastructure. (Vice President for Business Affairs).

The University of Texas at Tyler will attract and retain a high quality and demographically diverse staff. (Vice President for Business Affairs)

Goal 10. Increase student enrollment to 7,000 by attracting and retaining a diverse and qualified student body.

The University of Texas at Tyler has set a goal of enrolling up to 7,000 students by the fall semester of 2010. The University is not interested in unrestrained growth, but is interested in developing a quality institution that attracts high-ability students (a) from East Texas in order to keep some of them in the region and (b) to East Texas from across the nation and around the world to replace some of the students who leave the region for their education and do not return. We expect to have 5,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 graduate students by that date.

Meeting this goal will give the University the “critical mass” of students it needs to be effective and efficient, providing all the necessary student services and academic programs expected of a comprehensive regional university. An enrollment of 7,000 will also carry the University far enough beyond the breakeven point to give it more financial stability and the financial resources to offer a full set of academic offerings and student services expected of a successful comprehensive, regional university.

Meeting this goal will require significant planning and marketing, and substantial growth in facilities, faculty and staff. It also will require dedication to a multi-campus concept and to the need to reach students throughout East Texas using a variety of distance learning technologies.

Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler will enroll up to 7,000 qualified students in the fall of 2010.

Strategies:

Design and implement state-of-the-art recruiting and retention programs to significantly increase enrollment and retention of freshman, sophomore, transfer, and graduate students. (Dean of Enrollment Management, Dean of Student Affairs, Academic Deans)

Double the number of academic scholarships awarded in fall 1999 and quadruple the number of Presidential and other high-level scholarships awarded in 1999. (Deans, Director of Development, Dean of Enrollment Management)

Develop a major marketing campaign with an annual budget exceeding $500,000. (V. P. for Business Affairs, Dean of Student Affairs, Dean for Enrolment Management)

Develop and implement programs to attract and retain under-represented students so that our student diversity approaches that of racial and ethnic groups in East Texas. (Dean of Enrollment Management, Development Director, Deans, Financial Aid Director)

Design and implement programs to attract domestic and international students to graduate programs sufficient to double our graduate enrollment by the end of the decade - assistantships, fellowships, grants and strong marketing of excellent nationally oriented graduate programs. (Graduate Council, Deans, Dean of Enrollment Management)

Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler will enhance its campus environment and increase the number of buildings and other physical facilities to attract and accommodate 7,000 students in the fall of 2010.

Strategies:

Develop a new campus Master Plan that recognizes the need for new buildings while maintaining and enhancing the park-like campus concept. (Vice President for Business Affairs, Deans, Development Director)

Form concept design teams to determine needs, develop the initial concept designs, and select sites for new buildings, major remodeling of existing space, and construction of outdoor recreation facilities. (Vice President for Business Affairs, Deans, Development Director)

Objective:

The University of Texas at Tyler will complete and occupy the Longview building and finish the available space at the Palestine facility, and will add more technology classrooms in Tyler, Longview, Palestine, and at sites around East Texas as needed.

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