Since 1996, the university has undergone major changes that are reflected in the integration of the goals and language of the planning document into the university's culture. The acceptance of the document is apparent: When faculty or staff members apply for grants or awards, they use the language of the planning document to support the ideas in their proposals; individuals who apply for positions on campus will often include the language into their applications; and units undertaking hiring will provide prospective employees with copies of the document.

Many of the action items in the former planning document's goals have been achieved since they were originally formulated in 1995. This brief summary illustrates how those goals have been met.

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BECOME MORE STUDENT FOCUSED

Faculty and staff continue to work toward the goal of being student focused. The goal has been supported through the creation of a new student orientation process, more flexible class schedules, advising centers in many of the colleges, and the increased use of technology to enhance student learning and retention. The university has also enriched the quality of student life by adding more programs, organizations, activities, and resources designed to integrate students into college life.

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HIRE, MOTIVATE, AND REWARD SUPERIOR FACULTY

In recent years, the university has hired more than 500 highly qualified new faculty members who received their degrees from some of the finest institutions in the world. These individuals, in conjunction with the continuing faculty, have significantly influenced the attainment of the university's research goals and its national reputation.

The university has addressed its goal of enhancing faculty support through an improved orientation program for new faculty and through the creation of the Teaching Learning Center to provide training and encouragement for faculty in their teaching. UNLV has created a reward structure that encourages and motivates faculty to achieve the highest level of scholarship, instruction, and service.

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INCREASE RESEARCH, SCHOLARLY ACTIVITY, AND NATIONAL RECOGNITION

In 2001, the university opened the architecturally award winning, technologically advanced, yet accessible 300,000 square foot Lied Library. The library quickly became an academic symbol for the campus while providing increased opportunities for research for faculty and students. Since 1995, the faculty has raised its scholarly production through increased research grants, actively involving students in research, and the creation of new graduate programs.

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GROW SELECTIVELY, SERVE THE REGION, AND ACHIEVE DISTINCTION

Since 1995, the university has revised its undergraduate curriculum and its core curriculum to provide better and more meaningful learning experiences for students. In order to serve students, the university hired an Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management to oversee and coordinate issues relating to recruitment, admission, and retention. UNLV continues to work toward its goal of becoming more selective at the undergraduate and graduate levels and has been granted approval to increase admissions requirements in 2006 and again in 2010.

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CREATE AN INCLUSIVE AND JUST CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT

The university has worked to achieve an inclusive and just campus environment by creating a task force on diversity; hiring and retaining more women and minority faculty and staff members; raising awareness of the rights and responsibilities inherent in free expression among faculty, staff, and students; and meeting issues concerned with public safety through the creation of a community policing model on campus.

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DEVELOP A SERVICE-ORIENTED, RESPONSIVE, ACCOUNTABLE ADMINISTRATION

The university has sought to create a responsive administration through an ongoing planning process, a reorganization of academic and administrative units, and the creation of a common understanding of the concept of shared governance.

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COMMUNICATE AND COLLABORATE MORE EFFECTIVELY

UNLV has worked to communicate its goals, challenges, and achievements to the public and to members of the university community. As a symbol of the importance of communication to internal and external constituencies, UNLV has enhanced the office of the Vice President for University and Community Relations through the addition of new staff and has created new publications to communicate with the university's various constituencies. In order to advance its connections to the community, UNLV has created the position of Vice Provost for Outreach and Cooperative Programs to enhance the university's Extended Studies programs. The President has created the Council for University and Community Collaborations, a group whose goal is to help increase UNLV's links to the community and to enhance the university's role in the metropolitan area. The council is composed of university administrators, faculty, and staff as well as prominent members of the community.

The university has successfully collaborated with the Legislature, Clark County School District, other NSHE institutions, the business community, and federal and state agencies on a variety of issues and tasks. UNLV is becoming particularly relevant to the work of the Nevada Development Authority as it partners with business leadership to create new avenues for professional workforce development and the creation of new economic opportunities. UNLV's Downtown Center has made a significant contribution to the development of downtown Las Vegas.

ACHIEVED GOALS

Become More Student Focused

Hire, Motivate, and Reward Superior Faculty

Increase Research, Scholarly Activity, and National Recognition

Grow Selectively, Serve the Region, and Achieve Distinction

Create an Inclusive and Just Campus Environment

Develop a Service-Oriented, Responsive, Accountable Administration

Communicate and Collaborate More Effectively

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