Chapter 1
Overiew and History

 

1.1 University Mission, Vision and Profile

As Saginaw Valley State University celebrates 40 years of service to the east-central region of Michigan and culminates its self-study process with this Report, it has evolved into a distinctive comprehensive regional university that fulfills the goals of its founders. Saginaw Valley College was chartered in 1963 as a private institution to meet higher education needs in east-central Michigan; it became state-assisted in 1965, part of a national expansion of institutions of higher learning. The youngest of Michigan’s 15 public universities, SVSU has grown in all dimensions since the previous self-study, enabling the institution to successfully carry out its mission and fulfill its distinctive vision.

Mission and Vision

Mission: The University produces value for the Region, State and Society by preparing highly qualified graduates who contribute to the betterment of a culturally diverse world and by providing intellectual and cultural opportunities that enrich the lives of people.

Vision: Saginaw Valley State University will provide academic and professional programs and services for its students at the highest levels of quality and value, and be recognized as among the finest teaching universities in the United States. Our graduates will rise to key positions in economic, political, cultural and civic leadership and will distinguish themselves and our University through their accomplishments and service. Our University will also be the premier cultural and intellectual center and resource for the schools, governments, businesses and people of the East-Central Region of Michigan.

The current direction and goals of the university are based on Next Steps 2000-2005, the five-year plan adopted by the Board of Control in May of 2000, which is reviewed and revised annually. Next Steps 2000-2005 established the following six goals:

  1. Academic Improvement: The University will develop and deliver academic programs that provide the highest quality intellectual preparation for its students and which both motivate and enable those students to reach their full personal and professional potential.
  2. Program Qualitative Distinctiveness: The University will enhance the value of all its programs by developing several qualitatively distinctive programs that achieve and deserve recognition as among the finest such programs offered by teaching universities [Comprehensive I] in the United States.
  3. Enrollment Management: The University will increasingly become an institution of choice for students while remaining an institution of opportunity.
  4. Technology: The University will make a qualitative step forward in employing technology to enhance teaching and learning, improve institutional efficiency and expand access to educational opportunities, and achieve a "state-of-the-art" level of technological capability among teaching universities [Comprehensive I] in the United States.
  5. Campus Culture: The University will create and sustain a culture and environment that fosters and supports the personal and intellectual growth of its students, faculty, and staff.
  6. Public Service: The University will make significant and sustained contributions to the quality of life and become the premier cultural and intellectual center and resource for the schools, businesses, governments and people of the East-Central region of Michigan.