A new strategic plan for 2000 to 2005 is now in place to continue Iowa State’s goal of becoming the best land-grant university in the nation. The strategic plan has a new definition for the three goals of learning, discovery and engagement. “The emphasis on teaching, research and discovery and their interrelated roles, is, to me, one of the most important things,” Faculty Senate President David Hopper said. Howard Shapiro, vice provost for undergraduate education, agreed that the interrelation of the three components is significant. “I think the most important aspects are the redefinition of our mission into learning, discovery and engagement and the important idea of how those overlap with each other,” Shapiro said. He said one example of this interrelation is the addition of classroom teaching combined with students doing research and being engaged in service learning. “Those are all parts of learning,” Shapiro said. “The integration of them – I think it’s a really important concept.” Shapiro said the interrelation of the goals will help the university become the best. “I think it helps us to make better use of our effort because we are seeing the interconnection of our efforts,” he said. “I think it’s a pretty unique strategic plan.” Hopper said the university is advancing in many of the areas used to measure progress in the strategic plan. “Our fund raising is up, our sponsor support is up, our enrollment is up – just a whole host of actions that indicate that real progress is being made,” Hopper said. Hopper also emphasized the constant work involved to improve the university. “I think you aspire to be the best, and you’re working in that direction,” he said. “The plan outlines the steps we’re going to take to get there.” However, Hopper said the funding cutbacks from the state Legislature will hurt the strategic plan. “Any time we have cutbacks from the state, it’s going to have an impact [on] what we can do in terms of our plans and goals,” Hopper said. “Our strategic plan is perhaps more affected by this budget shortage than anything else.” Shapiro agreed that it is harder to accomplish goals with fewer resources, but also said he thinks the plan will help the legislature see the importance of the university to the state of Iowa. “I think that the more connected view of this will help,” Shapiro said. “It gives a better vehicle for building state support.” Shapiro said he thinks the evolution of the strategic plan is important. “I think it’s going to help us give a better definition of what we’re doing,” he said. “I think it’s a great step forward. We’re finding a way to evolve our mission even better.” A copy of the plan is available at http://www.iastate.edu/~president