We have made significant progress over the past year in the design of a planning process and in reaching broad agreement about the university-wide context for planning. We must now move beyond these preparations in order to position Michigan Technological University as a nationally and internationally recognized leader in meeting the challenges of the future.

The document, "1998 and Beyond," incorporates goals and objectives developed through consultation with university constituencies. This document is not a plan, per se. Instead, it is an enabling document intended to provide an overall context and framework for planning by departments, colleges, and other areas of the university. The achievement of these goals and objectives can be realized only through full participation in the strategic planning process. Departmental and unit plans will provide the mechanism to affect decision making and resource prioritization and allocation. They will also provide benchmarks for assessing the performance of academic and administrative units.

The University Mission

A. As it appears in the Constitution of the State of Michigan, 1964:

The institution established in the Upper Peninsula known as the Michigan College of Mining and Technology, referred to in the constitution of 1963 as the Michigan College of Science and Technology, is continued after January 1, 1964, under the name of Michigan Technological University, and shall be maintained for the purpose and under the regulations contained in this act. The institution shall provide the inhabitants of this state with the means of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the mineral industry in its various phases, and of the application of science to industry, as exemplified by the various engineering courses offered at technological institutions, and shall seek to promote the welfare of the industries of the state, insofar as the funds provided shall permit and the Board of Control shall deem advisable.

B. Interpretation of the Mission:

Michigan Technological University will benefit the State of Michigan and society as a whole through a balance of quality education, theoretical and applied research, and public service. The University will continue to build upon its unique tradition of education in engineering, science, and related disciplines, and to provide the state and its industries with highly qualified graduates. In addition, the University will strive to promote diversity, creativity, leadership, and teamwork, and to educate all of its students to meet the changing needs of a global, technological, diverse, and environmentally sensitive society. The University will seek to enrich and benefit society through its research activities and will assist the community, the state, and the nation in economic and cultural development.

The Vision Statement

A. Ten expectations as presented by the President in 1991, reiterated by him in his 1992 State of the University address, and revised in 1993. Michigan Technological University should be:

1. financially strong (diversified sources of funding, efficiently utilized, in an accountable manner)
2. a student-enriching organization;
3. a model of research and teaching excellence;
4. willing to be unique, innovative, flexible, and pioneering;
5. a leader in educating and developing professional engineers, scientists, business leaders, and communicators;
6. a leader in promoting diversity, creativity, leadership, and teamwork;
7. an integrated community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to creating a rewarding and challenging educational environment;
8. to provide a strong research environment, thereby attracting high quality faculty and enhancing quality undergraduate and graduate education;
9. visible and acclaimed nationally and internationally and;
10. provide a reward structure that will attract and retain faculty and staff who support the above expectations.

B. The vision as described by the University Direction and Planning Committee in concert with the Executive Vice President and the President:

Michigan Technological University will be a nationally and internationally recognized leader in meeting challenges of the future through excellence in undergraduate and graduate education and research in sciences and engineering.

At the undergraduate level, we will have comprehensive, diverse, and relevant curricula that educate technically competent, intellectually vital graduates who are creative, effective leaders and communicators who are aware of the changing social, economic, and cultural values of the world.

At the graduate level and in research we will focus especially on growth in interdisciplinary approaches in areas of established strength and future need. Consistent with the increasing complexity of science and technology, we will substantially increase the proportion of graduate students.

At each educational level and within each segment of the University community, we will increase the proportion of individuals from under-represented racial and gender groups.

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