These objectives describe who we are, why we are, and what we are. Our responsibility is to select from the myriad opportunities around us so as to contribute to our larger, established identity and purpose.

The first objective is concerned with the quality of teaching at BYU. The objective relates to the four Aims and reads as follows:

Educate the minds and spirits of students within a learning environment that

• increases faith in God and the Restored Gospel,
• is intellectually enlarging,
• is character building, and
• leads to a life of learning and service.

Evidence regarding the quality of teaching at BYU comes in many forms. Recent surveys are informative with respect to the spiritual, intellectual and character offerings of the faculty and staff and its impact on students. Ninety-nine percent of the BYU faculty in the Baylor survey indicated a willingness to answer gospel related questions raised by class materials. Ninety-two percent of the faculty currently do share or are willing to share personal experiences that have a faith component. More than four out of five are willing to lead the class in prayer. Finally, nine out of 10 faculty members are willing to bear witness of their testimony of the Restored Gospel.

I believe these extraordinary responses reflect the faithfulness of the faculty and their commitment to the mission of BYU.

The academic quality of BYU is becoming known outside Provo. Most have seen past issues of the U.S. News & World Report that assess the various institutions in higher education. Like most presidents whose institutions are not ranked first, I believe that the measures used in the report are somewhat inadequate and fail to fully evaluate the quality of an institution.

Still, we are pleased that the U.S. News & World Report rankings consistently place the Marriott School and the College of Engineering among the nation's best and the University at large in the second tier.

The second institutional objective concerns the quality of research performed at BYU. It is my firm opinion that a major university must contribute to the world's storehouse of knowledge. Also, we believe that the research and creative efforts should be consequential, i.e., they should make a difference. With this in mind the second objective reads as follows:

Advance truth and knowledge to enhance the education of students, enrich the quality of life and contribute to a resolution of world problems.

The second objective will be fulfilled if our research involves students and improves their education directly or indirectly; if the creative works in the fine arts and humanities captures or adds beauty to this world; if the theoretical research performed in the laboratory provides a clearer understanding of how things work; if the research and creative efforts in the biological, social, health, physical and engineering sciences and in law and business improve the world in some way.

Extend the blessings of learning

The third institutional objective is concerned with the influence that BYU may have in blessing LDS members around the world. The objective is to:

Extend the blessings of learning to members of the Church in all parts of the world.

Several steps have been taken on campus to accommodate more students. They include the 2,000 FTE student increase in the enrollment cap and the Visiting Student or open enrollment program for the Spring and Summer semesters. These changes allow more students to come.

Other steps taken include the development of an Internet curriculum to complement and eventually replace the pencil and paper courses of Independent Study.

Our faculty members and students find many other ways to spread learning around the world, whether it be through the sciences or the arts, whether it be through formal study abroad, visiting scholar or family outreach programs or through the informal making of friends and colleagues. All efforts are valuable.

Develop friends for the University and the Church

The final objective relates to our neighbors throughout the world. The objective is to:

Develop friends for the University and the Church.

Friends of the faculty and staff quickly learn about the quality of the University. Research ties between BYU faculty and faculty of other institutions is important in the development of friends in the academic community. Collaboration on research and conferences is much easier today because of improvements in communications. National and international conferences also allow the staff to present papers on their work at BYU.

This objective also relates to our work in communication, development, athletics, the arts, and other fields. All are focused on building a network of friends and supporters throughout the world who can help advance our unique mission.