University Goals

Delta State University strives to fulfill the following goals:

Instruction

• Review and update undergraduate and graduate programs to adequately address basic skills, knowledge, and competencies necessary for students to be properly prepared in their chosen fields, to complete licensure requirements, enter the work force, and/or continue advanced study in graduate or professional school.
• Attract and retain qualified and diverse students, faculty, and staff.
• Promote faculty development through a comprehensive program designed to strengthen the faculty in teaching, service, and research.
• Provide sufficient faculty in all disciplines to maintain a student-teacher ratio that ensures opportunities for meaningful intellectual interaction between students and faculty.
• Accommodate non-traditional students and the general public by offering a comprehensive program of continuing education, including off-campus classes, independent study courses, non-credit courses, conferences, and workshops.
• Optimize the effective use of technology in support of the education process.

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Service

• Strengthen the cooperative relationships with business, industry, community groups, government, and other educational institutions.

Research

• Enhance educational experiences at all levels by encouraging student and faculty research and other creative work.

Support Operations

• Provide a rich campus life with a variety of cultural and extracurricular activities and other opportunities for personal development.
• Increase student retention and graduation rates by providing a support program which includes, but is not limited to, the following attributes: a comprehensive support program of advising and other services to enhance student development; increased financial support to students through scholarships, assistantships, grants and loans; a developmental studies program for underprepared students; and, opportunities to meet or communicate with prospective employers or admission personnel from graduate or professional schools.
• Provide the resources, facilities, and the physical environment which contribute to the intellectual, cultural, ethical, physical, and social growth and development of the student and of the surrounding community.
• Provide administrative services and auxiliary enterprises (student housing, bookstore, food services, etc.) which are effective and efficient in the support of the institutional mission.
• Provide opportunities for the professional and personal development of staff.

External Affairs

• Expand the pursuit of external funding for instruction, public service, research, student financial assistance, and other needs.
• Increase the involvement of alumni in the life and support of the University.

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PURPOSES OF GENERAL EDUCATION

General education should provide students with understanding, appreciation, and knowledge that will assist them in living a more useful, happy, and productive life regardless of vocation. Education is a lifelong process; however, the education provided by Delta State University should encompass:

1. Developing the ability to communicate effectively.

2. Developing interests and skills needed in daily living, those that will contribute to the pleasurable use of leisure time, and the physical well being of the individual.

3. Acquainting students with conceptual approaches to various disciplines and broadening their outlook relative to career possibilities.

4. Assisting students in establishing social, moral, and ethical values, making choices, and assuming personal responsibilities.

5. Assisting students to gain a knowledge and appreciation of human accomplishments in all aspects of life: aesthetic, scientific, historic, economic, psychological, ethical, moral, and social.

6. Assisting students to understand themselves, their society, and the contemporary world.

7. Assisting students in the capacity to anticipate, handle, or bring about change.

Assisting students to think critically, to solve problems, and to develop patterns of thought (rather than specific knowledge).

The page is maintained by Julie Jackson.