The University Strategic Plan articulates a planning process for Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. The commitments, goals, and strategies set forth in the plan indicate the direction the university will take in order to maintain and enhance excellence in all of its endeavors. The process of strategic planning develops a commonality of purpose, a positive respect for our differences, and a shared sense of responsibility for our future. By stressing excellence in instruction, research, and service, by recognizing the importance of diversity and innovation, and by building our shared community, we will meet our commitments and realize our goals. In partnership with New Jersey, Rutgers must meet the present and future needs of the state for a highly skilled work force that will require lifelong access to education, for economic progress through scientific and technological innovation, and for service to citizens in a diverse democratic society. To accomplish its goals of excellence in the context of a public university, Rutgers supports diversity and community in its students, faculty, and staff; access and affordability in public higher education; the open exchange of ideas in intellectual inquiry; and civic responsibility within the university and outside it.

• Excellence in Rutgers' core mission activities of teaching, research, and public service will continue to be the primary focus for planning throughout the university.
• Undergraduate education in the liberal arts and sciences is the university's academic foundation; a commitment to excellence in undergraduate education is central in planning for all three campuses.
• Excellence in graduate and professional education and research, recognized in 1989 with election to the Association of American Universities, also remains a central thrust in Rutgers' planning.
• Service to the state at a high level of excellence is the third basic commitment in Rutgers' tripartite mission as a public research land-grant institution and must continue to be one of the key concerns of the university, particularly in our extensive outreach efforts in research, instruction, and other forms of assistance.
• Future development will build on our strengths in the academic disciplines, will provide innovative responses to critical needs, and will make cost-effective use of university resources.
• Growth areas in instruction and research will be built on existing, strong programs on all three campuses. In addition to liberal arts and sciences, these include the academic disciplines of cognitive science and neuroscience, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, gender studies, information science and related fields, international studies, and life sciences and agriculture. The university is also committed to enhancement of its professional studies programs.
• The university will undertake innovative multidisciplinary initiatives at all campuses in order to strengthen its contributions to research, instruction, and public service throughout the state. These initiatives will be selected because they can build on existing university strengths, promise to result in unique academic opportunities for the university, or are of great social significance.
• The university will continue to engage in a process of internationalization of the curriculum that will yield exciting opportunities throughout the university for research and instruction in global issues.
• Computer and information technology will be integrated into the curricula, pedagogy, and administration of the university in order to provide our students with the knowledge and skills they need in the Information Age and to furnish the university with the tools it will need to function in this new era.
• Enhanced cooperation among units will be strongly encouraged. Cooperation among the three campuses, and interaction among academic departments and centers, bureaus, and institutes will provide significant opportunities for improvements in instruction, research, and service.
• Continuous quality monitoring, communication, assessment, and improvement will be conducted by the university to increase efficiency, control costs, and ensure accountability to the university's many stakeholders.
• The criteria for assigning additional resources to units will be excellence, centrality to the university's tripartite mission, diversity, and responsiveness to critical needs:
• Excellence in instructional programs, faculty scholarship and creative endeavors, and service will be nurtured. Units that have already achieved excellence, or are positioned to do so, at all campuses will have high priority.
• Programs and activities that are central to our tripartite mission will be supported.
• The university will continue to support diversity in student, faculty, and staff recruitment and in curricular and college life programs.
• Rutgers will continue to be responsive to emerging critical needs, so that the university, as a statewide system, remains at the forefront of instruction, research, and service.