Sharing resources hurts because there is only so much money to go around for research and people's careers and salaries depend on it. You need people on your team who are the best at what they do because, if you conduct research and it doesn't find a home in a top journal, your tenure and your job depend on it. Some universities give you three years, many up to 6 years, but if you don't produce research in the top journals and show evidence of its impact in the citations of other top researchers, then you don't get to keep your job. It is a very unkind world and there is no room for "sharing is caring".
Sports is such a big part of our lives. The fact that we are here, especially those of us who are here often, is a measure of the abnormal importance that we place on university sports. My point earlier is that sports is secondary to the university and its stakeholders.
Here's Ohio State's vision and mission statement (
link). See the word sports anywhere?
The Ohio State University Vision
A successful strategic plan requires two fundamental components. First, the plan must be designed around a strong, compelling vision that provides context and identifies overall direction and goals. Second, the organization needs strategies to achieve that vision and the capacity and will to execute those strategies.
The most meaningful statements of vision are comprised of four elements - a statement of the organization's core purpose; an illumination of a few core values that represent its true essence; a significant overarching goal, which the organization is fully committed to achieving; and finally, a description of what the organization would be like should it succeed in achieving its overarching goal in a way that is consistent with its purpose and values.
The vision statement that follows succeeds the original mission-vision statement adopted by the University in 1992, which was intended for review on a decennial basis. The new vision statement was developed initially by a group of Ohio State administrators, deans, and faculty. Subsequently, it was revised based on comments from faculty, staff, and students as well as representatives from the extended Ohio State community. This vision stands today as the underpinning and conceptual framework for the strategies and initiatives outlined in the plan that follows. It also reflects the values and aspirations of a broad cross section of the University community.
Purpose
To advance the well-being of the people of Ohio and the global community through the creation and dissemination of knowledge.
Core Values
- Pursue knowledge for its own sake.
- Ignite in our students a lifelong love of learning.
- Produce discoveries that make the world a better place.
- Celebrate and learn from our diversity.
- Open the world to our students.
Overarching Goal
The Ohio State University will be among the world's truly great universities.
Future
The Ohio State University will be recognized worldwide for the quality and impact of its research, teaching, and service. Our students will be able to learn and to advance knowledge in all areas. As a 21st century land-grant university, The Ohio State University will set the standard for the creation and dissemination of knowledge in service to its communities, state, nation, and the world. Our faculty, students, and staff will be among the best in the nation.
Academic excellence will be enriched by an environment that mirrors the diverse world in which we live. Within this environment, we will come to value the differences in one another along with the similarities, and to appreciate that the human condition is best served through understanding, acceptance, and mutual respect. Throughout the learning process, our faculty and staff will find the highest levels of fulfillment and satisfaction as they collaborate to educate and support a student body recognized for its scholarship and integrity.
Students will have the opportunity to learn on our campuses or from locations around the world through the innovative use of technology. The quality of our physical facilities and grounds will be consistent with our world-class status. Extracurricular activities will support the personal growth of all members of our community. Our intercollegiate athletic programs will routinely rank among the elite few.
Graduation rates for all students will compare favorably with the nation's best public universities. Most of all, our graduates will be among the most sought after by the world's best employers and will become leaders in their communities and accomplished professionals in their chosen work. We will lead Ohio to a dynamic knowledge economy, and our research, widely known for its multidisciplinary programs, will help solve the most challenging social, cultural, technical, and health- related problems.
The excellence of our programs will be recognized by the highest levels of public and private support. As a result, The Ohio State University will earn an intensity of alumni loyalty and of public esteem unsurpassed by any other university.
