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Comprehensive Standard 3.1.1
The institution has a clear and comprehensive mission statement that guides it. The mission is approved and periodically reviewed by the governing board and is communicated to the institution's constituencies.
X Compliance Partial Compliance Non-Compliance
Narrative
Founded in 1948 as a teaching institution, Nicholls' mission and goals have changed as it has grown from a junior college to a four-year institution and finally to a university. When Nicholls gained four-year status in 1956, service and research became important components of its mission.
To develop our current mission, former President Donald Ayo appointed a Strategic Planning
Committee to recommend modifications to the mission and goals and objectives based on the
Board of Regents' 2001 Master Plan
[1].
Approximately 30 constituents including faculty, staff, and community leaders participated in and provided
input during a retreat. The group recommended placing specific changes in the goals and
objectives. The revised mission was approved by the University Council and then submitted to our governing
board, the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System; it was approved on June 28, 2002
[2].
Today, the primary mission of the University is excellence in teaching, with increasing emphasis on
research and service. Through the years, Nicholls has published a concise statement of its mission on its
Web Site [3].
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Nicholls State University Web Site, About Nicholls
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Mission
Nicholls State University commits itself to offering an excellent comprehensive education that meets the needs of the communities it serves. Through quality teaching, research, and service, the University strives to achieve accreditation in all eligible programs, evidence of its commitment to south central Louisiana and beyond.
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The mission statement in its entirety is published in the NSU Strategic Plan
[4]
and the NSU Bulletin [5] as follows:
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Nicholls State University, 2005-2006 Bulletin
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Institutional Purpose
Nicholls State University, located in Thibodaux, Louisiana, is a comprehensive, regional institution serving south central Louisiana. Tax supported and coeducational, it first opened its doors September 23, 1948, as Francis T. Nicholls Junior College of Louisiana State University.
In 1956, the Louisiana Legislature separated Nicholls from LSU and authorized it to develop four-year curricula. Thus, in September 1956, the former junior college began operation as Francis T. Nicholls State College. It granted its first degrees in May 1958. Act 93 of the State Legislature in 1970 changed the name to Nicholls State University.
Nicholls is located in the heart of "Cajun Country," an area rich in tradition and culture. Its location in the heart of the Mississippi River delta allows easy access to the river, its tributaries, Louisiana's wetlands, and the Gulf of Mexico. The 210-acre campus is approximately 50 miles southwest of New Orleans and 60 miles southeast of Baton Rouge.
For more than half a century, Nicholls State University has been the sole provider of higher education in a region with abundant cultural and natural resources. The University's strong general education program prepares students to exercise leadership in a global society and enhances their ability to create a vision for the future. By maintaining a major partnership with businesses, local school systems, community agencies, and other educational institutions, Nicholls actively participates in the development of the region.
Established along the banks of Bayou Lafourche, in the heart of one of the nation's major estuaries, Nicholls provides unique opportunities for instruction and research in the fields of marine and environmental science. The University has taken advantage of its strategic location to assume a leadership role in a region with ample resources in agricultural, fishing, petrochemical, and oil field-related industries. As a leader, the University continues to contribute significantly to the growth of the region in regard to new technology, manufacturing, and international trade.
Nicholls maintains a strong commitment to the well being of the people of the region. Through the expansion of health science programs, the University collaborates with a nationally recognized health care industry in the Houma-Thibodaux metropolitan area to meet the needs of its constituents.
Vision Statement
Nicholls State University, a quality institution of higher education, is dedicated to meeting the unique geographic and multi-cultural needs of south central Louisiana and beyond.
Mission Statement
Nicholls State University commits itself to offering an excellent comprehensive education that meets the needs of the communities it serves. Through quality teaching, research, and service, the University strives to achieve accreditation in eligible programs, evidence of its commitment to south central Louisiana and beyond.
Philosophy Statement
Nicholls State University accomplishes its mission through optimum use of its human, intellectual, and fiscal resources and by responding assertively to a diverse student population in a management environment that promotes faculty and staff involvement.
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Mission Statement in the 2006-2010 Strategic Plan
In 2004, President Stephen Hulbert called for a new Strategic Planning Process and
described his vision to the Planning Advisory Group, as reflected in an excerpt
from the minutes
[6]:
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Planning Advisory Group Minutes, July 19, 2004
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PAG was
informed that Mr. Howell would begin leading the new strategic planning
process this Fall 2004 semester.
Dr.Hulbert presented his vision for this process. Summary of discussion follows:
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1.
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New process must involve a concerted effort to carefully link goals
and plans of the Board with those of the University.
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2.
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Our next iteration of strategic plans should evolve from our existing
plans.
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3.
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President and vice presidents will develop annual goals consistent with
University strategic goals. It is important to link all levels of goal
setting and budgeting.
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4.
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The next process will encompass planning for years 2006-2010.
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5.
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First step in the process will be to revisit our mission, vision and values. We'll revisit the mission to see what NSU
does primarily as a teaching institution and how research and service support our mission. This mission should be succinct
and it should be supported by our values. We should develop a series of statements that reflect what we value as a university
so all can understand what NSU stands
for (ex: openness, trust, etc.). Our vision statement should reflect where we are going in fulfilling our mission.
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6.
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Dr. Hulbert referenced the integrated
planning process developed by Southeastern Louisiana University. He suggested we may use that as a model.
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PAG members were asked to deliberate on the process we
should use for our next strategic planning process. Dr. Pizzolatto described
an open invitation model where the University constituents would be invited
to participate in the planning process rather than inviting specific
individuals. Mr. Cavell suggested the use of external groups already
affiliated with the University such as the Alumni Association, and Chamber. Dr.
Hill also mentioned the PK-16 Council.
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Under the direction of Associate Provost Larry Howell, an open invitation [7]
was extended to the Nicholls Community to join us in a series of workshops to visit our present mission and vision statements. Over 80 members [8]
of the community, representing external stakeholders, students, faculty and staff, participated in the process. The resulting statement
from this process was submitted to the President's Cabinet and Nicholls Faculty Senate for approval [9]
and to the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System for final approval on April 29, 2005 [10]. The revised Statement of Mission, Vision and Values follows:
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Revised Nicholls State University Statement of Mission, Vision and Values
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NICHOLLS STATE UNIVERSITY STRATEGIC PLAN 2006-2010
MISSION
Nicholls State University provides a unique blend of excellent academic programs to meet
the needs of Louisiana and beyond. The University cultivates productive, responsible,
engaged citizens in a personalized, culturally rich and dynamic learning environment through
quality teaching, research, and service.
VISION
Within the initial decade of the new millennium, Nicholls State University will be recognized
as a premier, selective admissions institution of higher education dedicated to the needs of
its diverse student body. The University will become the center for collaborative scientific,
technological, cultural, educational, and economic leadership and services in South Central
Louisiana.
VALUES
The Nicholls State University Community supports the Nicholls Creed, affirming "values
that promote citizenship, concern for self and others, and the desire for a better world,"
and embraces as its core values:
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DIVERSITY: We respect differences among members of society by providing a nurturing and tolerant environment.
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EXCELLENCE:
We strive to achieve the highest quality in all endeavors. We strive for excellence
in teaching, research, and service, and empowerment through learning.
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INTEGRITY:
We strive to be fair and truthful in all instances.
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LEADERSHIP:
We are good stewards and representatives of the University because we value our collective role as a regional leader and model for all we serve.
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RESPECTFULNESS:
We commit to the customs and amenities of a civil society. We respect the rights of others and are responsive to the needs and interests of our constituents.
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In the fall semester of 2005, the Strategic Planning Process will be completed as we generate goals, objectives, and initiatives for 2006-2010, based on this statement of mission, vision, and values.
Documentation
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#
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Documents
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Original
Hyperlink
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Local Copy
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1
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Louisiana Board of Regents, Master Plan
for Public Postsecondary Education: 2001
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Original Hyperlink
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Local Copy
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2
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Board of Supervisors for
the UL System Minutes, June 28, 2002.
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Original Hyperlink
Scroll to Agenda Item F.1 on page 2.
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Local Copy
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3
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NSU Web Page, Mission
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Original
Hyperlink
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Same
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4
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NSU 2001-2005 Strategic
Plan, Mission of NSU
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Original Hyperlink
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Same
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5
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NSU Web Site, Academic
Bulletin, Institutional Purpose
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Original Hyperlink
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Same
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6
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Planning Advisory Group
Minutes, July 19, 2004, Item 4. Discussion of future Strategic Planning
Process
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Original Hyperlink
Scroll to Agenda Item 4.
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Same
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7
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Invitation to Strategic
Plan Process
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Original Hyperlink
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Same
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8
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Contributors to the NSU
Strategic Plan Process
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Original Hyperlink
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Same
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9
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NSU Faculty Senate
Minutes, January 11, 2005
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Original Hyperlink
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Same
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10
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UL System News, May 6,
2005
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Original Hyperlink
See top bullet of center column on page 1.
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Local Copy
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