Understanding OSU s Land Grant Status Training & Organizational Effectiveness, Office of Human Resources, Oregon State University ABSTRACT This resource handbook accompanies the online training located at website: oregonstate.edu/elearning and provides an overview of OSU s Land Grant designation and its reconnection with these values through the OSU Strategic Plan.
Understanding OSU s Land Grant Status Introduction In order to appreciate how OSU works, it is first helpful to grasp the land grant designation in which the institution is rooted. History of the Land Grant What You ll Learn This module will help you to understand: The historical context of OSU's land grant status. OSU's mission, vision and values. The OSU Strategic Plan and its purpose. Historical Acts That Shaped OSU OSU is one of only a few higher education institutions to have been appointed the status of land, sea, sun and space grant university. This entrustment is what drives the mission of OSU and its purpose in integrating teaching, research (scholarship) and extension. The Hatch Act 1862... States that experiment stations should, "conduct original and other research, investigations and experiments bearing directly on and contributing to the establishment and maintenance of a permanent and effective agricultural industry... " The Hatch Act attacked general ignorance of growing conditions, helping to make American agricultural producers more productive. The Smith-Lever Act of 1914... Is a United States federal law that established a system of cooperative extension services, connected to the land-grant universities, in order to inform people about current developments in agriculture, home economics, public policy/ government, leadership, 4-H, economic development, coastal issues (National Sea Grant College Program), and many other related subjects. It helped farmers learn new agricultural techniques by the introduction of home instruction. The Morrill Land-Grant Act of 1890... Required each state to show that race was not an admissions criterion, or else to designate a separate land-grant institution for persons of color. Source Website: http://oregonstate.edu/elearning 2 of 5
Among the seventy colleges and universities which eventually evolved from the Morrill Acts are several of today's historically Black colleges and universities. Though the 1890 Act granted cash instead of land, it granted colleges under that act the same legal standing as the 1862 Act colleges; hence the term "land-grant college" properly applies to both groups. The Morrill-Land Grant Act 1862... Made education possible for the common person and provides research and service to its citizenry. Under the act, each eligible state received a total of 30,000 acres of federal land, either within or contiguous to its boundaries, for each member of congress the state had as of the census of 1860. This land, or the proceeds from its sale, was to be used toward establishing and funding land-grant educational institutions. Kellogg Commission The Kellogg Commission on the Future of State and Land- Grant Universities was created in 1996 by the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges to help define the future direction of public universities. Kellogg grants have been awarded to OSU and have been instrumental in instituting change across the organization. Mission, Goals and Strategic Plan Themes for OSU The Kellogg s Commission has written seven reports from 1997 to 2001 highlighting the need for land-grant institutions to remain focused on their roots. The themes emphasized what is practical and useful creating broad access, solving problems, advancing rural economy and communities, and serving people. VISION To best serve the people of Oregon, Oregon State University will be among the top 10 land grant institutions in America. MISSION As a land grant institution committed to teaching, research, and outreach and engagement, Oregon State University promotes economic, social, cultural and environmental progress for the people of Oregon, the nation and the world. This mission is achieved by producing graduates competitive in the global economy, supporting a continuous search for new knowledge and solutions, and maintaining a rigorous focus on academic excellence... Source Website: http://oregonstate.edu/elearning 3 of 5
GOALS Provide outstanding academic programs that further strengthen our performance and pre-eminence in five thematic areas. Provide an excellent teaching and learning environment and achieve student access, persistence, and success through graduation and beyond that matches the best land grant universities in the country. Substantially increase revenues from private fund raising, partnerships, research grants, and technology transfers while strengthening our ability to more effectively invest and allocate resources. OSU Strategic Plan "Oregon State University s strategic plan is built upon outcomes from the OSU- 2007 planning process that involved hundreds of individuals in thousands of conversations since January 2002. The plan reflects ideas and insights from faculty, students, staff, administrators, and constituents and stakeholders. The plan is also informed by the priorities of the Oregon University System, the Governor, the work of various think- tank groups and initiatives, including the Kellogg Commission on the Future of State and Land- Grant Universities, the Oregon Business Plan, and the Oregon Council for Knowledge and Economic Development." COMMITMENT #1 OSU will lead in developing a globally competitive workforce and an informed and capable citizenry. COMMITMENT #2 OSU will address multifaceted national and global challenges that resist simple technical or social solutions. -Edward J. Ray, President (February 2004) Strategic Plan: 3 Areas of Distinction 1. Advancing the science of sustainable earth ecosystems. 2. Improving human health and wellness. 3. Promoting economic growth and social process. 5 Thematic Areas from Phase I of the Strategic Plan The focused and compelling approach that led to the 3 signature areas of distinction of OSU embodied these five thematic areas to help attract and retain talented students, faculty, staff, and other contributors to our mission. Natural Resources: Helps the state manage its natural resources so they will contribute to Oregonians' quality of life, and to the state's natural resource-based industries. OSU's natural Source Website: http://oregonstate.edu/elearning 4 of 5
resource theme includes forestry, agriculture, tourism, streams, and marine systems and the university's focus will include resource management and environmental enhancement. Life Sciences and Public Health: OSU's life sciences and health theme is an area of increasing importance to Oregonians and the university is recognized for its leadership in biosciences research, promotion of healthy lifestyles, and nutrition and food safety. One of its more visible programs is the Linus Pauling Institute, which has become a national leader in the study of micronutrients. Enterprise, Technology and Innovation: This theme aims at optimizing enterprise, innovation and economic development. The university's rapidly growing engineering program is the most visible example, but it isn't the only example. Earth Sustainability: This theme centers on understanding the origin, dynamics and sustainability of the earth. Global climate change is one focus and OSU has one of the world's largest, most sophisticated supercomputing facilities for marine sciences. In addition to climate evaluation, OSU also seeks to become more involved in the region's economic, political, social and ecological systems. Arts and Sciences Curriculum: Advancing the arts and sciences is a theme that includes providing the foundation for basic scientific, social and cultural enhancement and discovery. The theme isn't restricted to curriculum, however, and includes community partnerships and faculty research and scholarship. Where Are We Now? We are in Phase II of the 2004 Strategic Plan. Phase II rests on an intensive focus on the three Signature Areas of Distinction that collectively represent OSU's greatest opportunity to lead in solving complex societal problems, and to creating superior learning opportunities for students. Reference Websites OSU Strategic Plan http://oregonstate.edu/leadership/strategic-plan OSU Mission Statement http://oregonstate.edu/main/mission Source Website: http://oregonstate.edu/elearning 5 of 5