A Strategic Plan for UNL: Setting Our Compass 

• Preface
• Our Vision / Mission / Core Values
• The UNL Plan
• Appendix A
• Appendix B

Appendix B

Investing in Nebraska's Future

Strategic Planning Framework -- Accountability Measures

An Implementation Tool for the Board of Regents and University Leadership

2007-2010

The University of Nebraska is a four-campus, public university which was created and exists today to serve Nebraskans through quality teaching, research, and outreach and engagement. The future of the State of Nebraska is closely tied to that of its only public university, and this framework will guide university-wide and campus planning to help build and sustain a Nebraska that offers its citizens educational and economic opportunity and a high quality of life.

The framework consists of six overarching goals emphasizing access and affordability, quality programs, workforce and economic development, research growth, engagement with the state, and accountability. Each goal has a number of related objectives which will be prioritized, and strategies and accountability measures will be developed for Board and university-wide monitoring over a multi-year period.

The university's efforts will not be limited to these priorities, as we expect to be able to measure progress in other areas given the interrelatedness of the objectives, other priorities of the Board and the President, and the mature and/or ongoing strategic planning efforts of the four campuses. Each campus has established a set of quality indicators with metrics that provide a means to evaluate achievement and momentum related to many of these objectives. Additional indicators will be developed to address each objective consistent with campus missions.

1. The University of Nebraska will provide the opportunity for Nebraskans to enjoy a better life through access to high quality, affordable undergraduate, graduate and professional education.
   1. Maintain an affordable cost of education.
   2. Increase the percentage of Nebraska high school graduates who enroll at and graduate from the university.
   3. Increase the percentage of persons of color and the economically disadvantaged who enroll at and graduate from the university, employing measures permitted by state and federal law.
   4. Expand lifelong educational opportunities, including those for non-traditional and transfer students.
   5. Promote adequate student preparation for and success in higher education.
2. The University of Nebraska will build and sustain undergraduate, graduate and professional programs of high quality with an emphasis on excellent teaching.
   1. Recruit and retain exceptional faculty and staff, with special emphasis on women and persons of color.
   2. Pursue excellence in programs where the university can be a regional, national and/or international leader.
   3. Pursue excellence in programs aligned with the long-term interests of the state.
   4. Achieve university-wide and campus priorities through the strategic allocation of resources.
3. The University of Nebraska will play a critical role in building a talented, competitive workforce and knowledge-based economy in Nebraska in partnership with the state, private sector and other educational institutions.
   1. Work to stem and reverse the out-migration of graduates and knowledge workers.
   2. Increase proportion of Nebraska high school students ranking in the top 25 percent of their classes that attend the University of Nebraska.
   3. Increase the number of out-of-state students who enroll at the university.
   4. Improve entrepreneurship education, training and outreach.
   5. Increase the global literacy of our students and citizens.
   6. Develop and strengthen internship and service learning opportunities with business, education, government, military, and nonprofit organizations.
4. The University of Nebraska will pursue excellence and regional, national and international competitiveness in research and scholarly activity, as well as their application, focusing on areas of strategic importance and opportunity.
   1. Increase external support for research and scholarly activity.
   2. Increase undergraduate and graduate student participation in research and its application.
   3. Encourage interdisciplinary, intercampus and inter-institutional collaboration.
   4. Encourage and facilitate the commercialization of research and technology to benefit Nebraska.
   5. Improve the quantity and quality of research space through public and private support.
5. The University of Nebraska will serve the entire state through strategic and effective engagement and coordination with citizens, businesses, agriculture, other educational institutions, and rural and urban communities and regions.
   1. Support economic growth, health and quality of life through policy initiatives consistent with university mission.
   2. Recognize and reward faculty innovation and effectiveness in outreach and engagement.
   3. Connect Nebraska cities, institutions, regions and communities through university programs.
   4. Support Nebraska's economic development.
   5. Build local, regional, national and international partnerships across public and private sectors.
6. The University of Nebraska will be cost effective and accountable to the citizens of the state.
   1. Allocate resources in an efficient and effective manner.
   2. Demonstrate fiscal responsibility and commitment to efficiency and effectiveness in all areas.
   3. Maximize and leverage non-state support.
   4. Create and report performance and accountability measures.
   5. Maximize potential of information technology to support the university's mission.
   6. Implement measures of student learning and success outcomes.
   7. Maintain competitive capital facilities.

Version Dated: 11/09/07