Purdue seeks input on new strategic plan

"With the help and support of Indiana residents in communities throughout the state, Purdue has helped to move Indiana toward greater prosperity," Jischke said. "Now, it's time to discuss what's next. I look forward to receiving input as we set new goals and prepare for Purdue's future role in our state."

Jischke will assemble focus groups of community leaders to spark discussion. The first group will meet from 8-9:30 a.m. Wednesday (Sept. 6) in the grand ballroom of the Holiday Inn Select City Centre, 515 South St., Lafayette. Another discussion will take place Sept. 27 during the President's Luncheon at Holiday Inn Select by the Pyramids in Indianapolis.

Jischke also will seek input during his monthly community visits. Six visits are scheduled for 2006-07:

• Oct. 6, Crawforsdville.

• Nov. 16, Valparaiso.

• Dec. 14, Johnson County, including Franklin and Greenwood.

• Jan. 25, Hancock County.

• Feb. 27, southwest region.

• March 15, Anderson.

The current strategic plan focuses on the three missions of learning, discovery and engagement. One of the goals identified in the plan includes adding 300 new faculty positions to reduce the reliance on teaching assistants. Purdue has hired almost 249 of the additional 300 faculty sought and is on track to meet the goal.

Another goal is to increase the diversity of Purdue campuses. Student diversity is at an all-time high, with an enrollment this fall of more than 200 additional students who identified themselves as African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic or Native American. The percentage of minority students in the freshman class grew by 14.6 percent while the total undergraduate diversity grew by nearly 5 percent.

The current plan also calls for investing more than $800 million in new construction, of which $519 million is funded by private gifts. Of that $800 million, $464 million in new construction is completed, $184 million is in progress and $141 million is anticipated.

Much of this construction is taking place at Purdue's Discovery Park, where progress continues in expanding interdisciplinary research efforts and economic development. The $330 million park features 10 centers.

Purdue also has pledged to expand its engagement efforts on economic development and K-12 education within Indiana. One way in which Purdue has advanced economic development is to assist in establishing technology parks throughout Indiana. The newest such park will be the Purdue Technology Center of New Albany, which is expected to open by the fall of 2008.

To assist K-12 teachers and students, several Purdue colleges and schools sponsor outreach programs. Science Bound, a program initiated Jischke, mentors eighth-grade to 12th-grade Indianapolis Public Schools students and encourages them to take classes in preparation for future careers in science, engineering, technology, agriculture and math-science education. Upon acceptance, Science Bound students receive an opportunity to earn a four-year, full-tuition scholarship to Purdue to study in an approved scientific or technical field. Approximately 15 Science Bound students will begin their academic career at Purdue in 2007.

The strategic plan also addresses a need to expand scholarships and financial aid so that no talented student will be denied the opportunity to study at Purdue. To answer some of this need, Jischke established the Purdue Opportunity Awards program, which pays for tuition, room and board for a high-need incoming freshman from each of the state's 92 counties.

To fund progress toward these goals, Purdue asked the state to maintain its support with adjustments for inflation. It also asked students to increase their investment and in 2000 launched a $1.5 billion fund-raising campaign, which will conclude June 30.

Jischke said that while these achievements are cause for celebration, it is important to sustain the momentum.

"We have made great strides, but much remains to be accomplished," he said. "I am eager to hear Hoosiers' thoughts on new directions and destinations for Purdue."

Writer: Marydell Forbes, (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu

Source: Martin C. Jischke (765) 494-2098

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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