Updated: May 2009
With energy and momentum, North Dakota State University addresses the needs and aspirations of people in a changing world by building on our land-grant foundation.
We envision a vibrant university that will be globally identified as a contemporary metropolitan land-grant institution.
NDSU is guided by the following key values and principles:
Land-Grant
We reflect and serve geographically and culturally diverse populations.
We share institutional success across the university.
We anticipate and welcome growth and service that will occur in ways yet to be conceived.
We embrace our unique complexities as a land-grant university on the Northern Great Plains.
We remain committed to serving people globally.
People
We derive strength and vitality from each other and from the diverse communities we serve.
We envision an academic and social environment that is conducive to intellectual and personal development by promoting the safety and welfare of all members of the university community.
We promote excellence through individuals participating in decisions and value cooperation for the common good.
Scholarship
We are an engaged university and acknowledge and pursue scholarship of all forms, including discovery, teaching, integration and application.
We uphold the rights and responsibilities of academic freedom.
Teaching and Learning
We provide a superior teaching and learning environment within and outside of the traditional classroom.
We promote and value liberal, graduate and professional education in a collegial environment where divergent ideas can be shared.
We foster an environment that promotes life-long learning with individually defined goals.
Ethics
We maintain our integrity through principled action and ethical decision-making.
Culture
We will be the land-grant university that we want to be by welcoming and respecting differences in people and ideas.
We support the goals of the North Dakota University System and value collaboration with colleges and universities around the world.
We foster accessibility to our programs and services.
Accountability
We have a special relationship with, and are accountable to, the people of North Dakota.
We actively strive to contribute to our region's economic prosperity and to improve the quality of life.
North Dakota State University exists as a human endeavor; a
means to accomplish a greater good. It's About People acknowledges
the service we do for our fellow citizens, but also emphasizes the
institutional commitment to the people of North Dakota State
University and our desire to reward those whose efforts are serving
the public's interests.
In recent years, NDSU has seen tremendous growth in the size of
our student body. NDSU's growth is grounded in the strength of our
existing programs and fueled by the strategic addition of new
programs. Undergraduate education remains the foundation of our
educational offerings while new graduate programs are retaining and
keeping young people in the state. NDSU students are active
partners in our institutional transformation.
In these past few years, we have successfully launched many new
undergraduate and graduate programs. We have reinforced the
integrity of NDSU's academic offerings by emphasizing our faculty's
expertise in research and creative activities while maintaining our
focus on teaching and learning.
NDSU has responded to the opportunities allowed by the Roundtable for Higher Education and the aspirations of the North Dakota University System. For example, for every dollar of state support, NDSU has obtained nearly $10 in other funds. The economic impact of just the university's growth during the past 10 years is nearly $1 billion. NDSU's transformation into a leading academic institution received significant acknowledgement, as recognized by Moody's Economy.com in describing NDSU as an important driver of the state's economy. A recent Moody's report stated, "In the longer term, (increased state) funding will provide better resources for students and thereby enhance ND's human capital."
NDSU is experiencing a period of remarkable success. Few
universities have experienced our growth in enrollment, research
expenditures, program expansion, or growth in campus infrastructure
in such a short time. Our faculty, staff and students have seized
upon an opportunity to be more and have catapulted this university
forward. NDSU's institutional stature also is being increased
through a very successful transition in intercollegiate athletics
to Division I. We are increasing awareness of our state and
representing North Dakota with pride and competitive
excellence.