ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University President Robert Glidden issued a "Presidential Mission Statement" to help set the university’s priorities during his annual State of the University Address today (Thursday, Sept. 20).

"This is what we care most about at this particular time and, by ‘this particular time,’ I mean the next three years, at least," Glidden said, noting that the statement was developed with the help of Interim Provost Gary Schumacher and others.

Glidden also mentioned the need for the university to come together as a community in this time of national crisis and maintain its commitment to making the world better.

"Some say that America and our way of life have been changed forever, and I’m sure in some respects that is true. But whatever our future holds, universities and all that we do will be ever more important to our society," he said.

Glidden focused on five goals that will set the foundation for the university’s decision-making for the next three years.

They are:

• Providing undergraduates with a distinctive education that prepares them for their future lives and careers. "By distinctive, we mean that we want to recognize and emphasize those characteristics of undergraduate education at Ohio University that distinguish us from other universities of our type," Glidden said. "I suggest that student engagement be our theme, our focus, for distinctiveness in undergraduate education."
• An emphasis in graduate education through program focus at the advanced graduate level and creative approaches to master’s education. "What are the areas in which we can have greatest impact? Where can we make a difference to benefit society and our state in particular? What characteristics do we possess as an institution — location, history, resources — that enable us to develop excellence in a given area?" Glidden said.
• Maintaining excellence in research through support for creative activity and the search for new information, knowledge and understanding. "Obviously, we will begin here by analyzing the funding mechanisms for our researchers to make certain that we are sufficiently supportive in areas where we have an opportunity to be competitive nationally. This past year, the university provided more than $1.6 million in start-up funds to help new faculty establish their research careers, but we know that this is not nearly enough for us to advance our research mission in the future," Glidden said.
• Maximizing the learning opportunities afforded by a residential campus environment. "Our campus climate — the opportunity students have to interact with each other socially and in myriad student activities — is one of our strengths. Each and every day students engage in meaningful activities that are the Ohio experience," Glidden said.
• Expanding service to the region. "Perhaps we cannot do all for the community and the region that some believe we should, but we will continue to work diligently to provide the conditions and the advantages that will attract and support new businesses and, thus, new jobs in Appalachian Ohio," Glidden said.

The Ohio University president noted that careful planning and thoughtful priorities will be needed to continue to serve students well in these times of a tight state budget. The state share of instruction funds increased only 1.63 percent this year and will rise only 0.58 percent next year. In contrast, the previous biennial budget contained a 3.97 percent hike in state share of instruction funds in the first year and a 2.97 percent increase in the second year.

"We know that public higher education in Ohio faces some challenging times over the next few years. … It will be incumbent upon us to plan carefully, to choose our priorities more thoughtfully, in order to serve our students more effectively," Glidden said.

Traditionally held over Homecoming Weekend, the address was moved up this year to set priorities in motion earlier in the academic year.