BY RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY
PDT Staff Writer

The Shawnee State University Board of Trustees approved institutional accountability targets during its meeting on Nov. 14. The set of measures outline how SSU plans to contribute to the University System of Ohio's 10-year Strategic Plan for Higher Education.

The USO plan calls for strategies to improve access to higher education, make college more affordable, continually improve quality and drive economic development.

The SSU plan includes an enrollment target of 5,078 students by the year 2014.

"Each public university was asked to submit proposed targets based on our individual strengths, our missions and our specific goals," said SSU President Dr. Rita Rice Morris. "With the help of our campus community, we did that. Our plan calls for continued growth in several key areas, including overall enrollment and the number of bachelor and graduate degrees awarded."

Morris said to help accomplish these goals, the university was counting on the continued commitment to excellence in higher education from its staff, faculty, students and the community.

Shawnee State reported record enrollment in its fall semester this year. The university currently has an enrollment of about 4,000 students, and offers 80 degrees programs; including a graduate degree program at SSU, Occupational Therapy, which is now in its third year. A graduate program in education is also expected to be added within a few years.