Guiding Principles for the Long Range Strategic Plan 2010-2015

Gallaudet is committed to academic excellence, leadership, and remaining relevant in tomorrow’s higher education landscape

• It is vital to the university’s continued survival and relevance that enrollment grow to meet and/or exceed previously-funded levels
  1. To meet this enrollment goal, Gallaudet will accept all qualified students, including a diverse pool of students from varied educational backgrounds and communication modalities, and support them so they can realize the full academic and personal benefits of a Gallaudet education
  2. Gallaudet will aggressively recruit and support students from traditionally-underrepresented groups (TUGs)
• Gallaudet will adjust its own programs and support services as necessary to meet the needs of a changing student population – rather than expecting students to adapt to Gallaudet’s construct of the ideal student/methodologies
• Gallaudet will engage and embrace the larger world beyond our walls through partnerships and outreach on all levels, encouraging our students, faculty and staff to be fully engaged participants in their local, national and global communities

Gallaudet is committed to the development and success of the whole student

• Gallaudet will capitalize upon the advantages of its small size to ensure personal attention and care for each student, not only academically, but also in personal development and career exploration
  1. Every student will be offered a faculty or staff mentor/advocate to guide them to the completion of their educational experience
  2. Gallaudet will differentiate itself by a high level of student access and involvement with faculty/staff in their academic and non-academic experiences
• Gallaudet will make real the connection between a liberal arts education and professional career success, through relevant majors/programs that meet the demands of the employment market, challenging internships, and a robust career center focused on lifelong support for our students and graduates
• Gallaudet will foster an environment of respect for the full diversity of people and ideas, and be known as a community that practices zero tolerance for discriminatory and/or disrespectful behavior of any kind towards any one for any reason—including but not limited to gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, background, hearing status, or communication preferences

Gallaudet is committed to managerial and fiscal accountability and delivering value to our stakeholders

• Until enrollment, retention and graduation targets are met, these areas, along with teaching and learning, will be the accountable strategic priorities for all administrators, faculty and staff
• Gallaudet takes seriously its role as a responsible steward of the funding provided by the federal government, our students, and other stakeholders, constantly creating the case for continued support through achievement of value-added outcomes
• University resources, including financial and human capital, will be examined annually and re-allocated as needed to support strategic priorities.  All programs will face ongoing assessment of their cost/benefit to the university, and decisions about continuation, expansion or closure will be made annually as part of the budget process