Strategic Direction 1:

To enhance both the perception and the reality of LGS research activities

Objective 1.1: To publicize the quality research work performed by the LGS.

Action: To publicize to the world and the scientific community in particular the quality research work being performed by the LGS by means of publications, maps, reference works, workshops, field trips, seminars, presentations, and exhibits at professional conferences.

Constraints: Time and funding; convincing the entire research staff that such publicity is a major priority.

Indicators: The LGS acquires an enhanced reputation as the premier geological/oil and gas research unit in the state.

Objective 1.2: To produce contract-independent geologic maps, geologic bulletins, water resources bulletins and similar publications.

Action: To produce geologic maps, geologic bulletins, water resources bulletins and similar publications as are typical of most other state geologic surveys in the country.

Constraints: This should be one of the main day-to-day objectives of a state geological survey but the LGS cannot pursue this objective effectively until a stable funding source is obtained.

Indicators: Hard money funding is obtained to get this work done.

Objective 1.3: To improve the quality of the research work performed at the LGS

Action: All LGS staff members must commit themselves wholeheartedly to both the theory and practice of total quality in their research; LGS research must not simply be good, it must be superior and noticeably so, and it must be timely.

Constraints: Inertia, the concept that good enough is indeed good enough, and uncertainty that soft money funded positions justify putting in extra effort.

Indicators: The quality of LGS research improves noticeably, and LGS support and funding increases to reflect this improvement.

Objective 1.4: To project an optimal image of the LGS to the world

Action: The LGS must aggressively portray itself as a quality research organization that is necessary to the well being of the University and the State by constantly emphasizing its good performance in publications, presentations, seminars, on the Internet, and in satisfactorily answering the numerous questions and requests for information from the public.

Constraints: The commitment, time and funds required for an aggressive schedule of publications, presentations, seminars, and serving public needs when requested.

Indicators: The LGS is viewed by all who hear of it in a most favorable light.

Strategic Direction 2: To secure additional soft money funding for the LGS

Objective 2.1: To diversify LGS soft money funding sources.

Action: To identify and obtain new sources of soft money funding for the LGS by means not necessarily limited to the following: computerized research aids, personal contacts, assistance from the LGS Advisory Board, contact/data sharing with geological surveys in other states, and direct contact with government agencies not previously considered as potential funding sources, and to develop cooperative research programs with the U.S. Geological Survey.

Constraints: Decreasing and limited federal and state sources of funding; finding appropriate fits between funding source interest and LGS capabilities.

Indicators: The LGS increases the number of sources from which it obtains soft money.

Objective 2.2: To maximize existing LGS soft money funding sources.

Action: Additional soft money funds need to be coaxed from existing soft money sources by aggressively identifying their needs and convincing them that the LGS can and will meet those needs for them; in some cases this may mean making them aware of needs that they do not yet realize they have.

Constraints: Politics, availability of funds, and the realization that the LGS can effectively serve funding agency needs.

Indicators: The LGS obtains more soft money from its existing sources.

Objective 2.3: To obtain commitments of matching funds from the University (especially hard match money) to enable the LGS to pursue federal soft money sources that require such matches.

Action: Demonstrate to the University research administration that certain federal funds from sources such as the United States Geological Survey could have and can be obtained only with the aid of matching hard money funds from the University; obtain a commitment from the University to provide future funds for these purposes.

Constraints: Limited matching funds available to LSU.

Indicators: The University offers to make matching funds available from University sources in order to pursue federal contracts.

Strategic Direction 3: To obtain hard money funding for the LGS

Objective 3.1: To regain the hard money funding which the LGS had until 1992 with the assistance of the LSU administration and to make the LGS sufficiently valuable to the University and to the State to be prioritized for hard money funding.

Action: Demonstrate to the University via presentations of LGS scientific, contractual, and political successes that the LGS has great value to both the University and to the State. Emphasize the amount of research money brought in by the LGS without significant hard money funding and point out how much more money is essentially lost through the lack of matching funds; point out how the LGS is logistically hamstrung by the lack of hard money; make it easy for the University to support the LGS at the legislature by ensuring that the Legislature is aware of the value of the LGS (see Objective 1.2); to find out exactly what is required to acquire hard money funding, and to commit to doing it.

Constraints: LSU prioritization for hard money funding.

Indicators: The University agrees that the LGS should be prioritized to the Legislature for hard money funding.

Objective 3.2: To obtain and maintain legislative support for a legislative hard money appropriation for the LGS through LSU.

Action: Convince the Legislature, via direct communication by the University to legislators and via indirect communication to the legislature by government agencies, industry representatives, interest groups, and members of the LGS Advisory Board, that that LGS is of sufficient value to the State, the government agencies of the State, and the industry and interest groups of the State as to merit hard money funding.

Constraints: State politics, state budgetary constraints.

Indicators: The LGS is given a hard money appropriation by the legislature. STRATEGIC DIRECTION 4: To improve the quality of the LGS staff and facilities

Strategic Direction 4: To Improve The Quality Of The LGS STaff And Facilities

Objective 4.1: To improve the quality and skills of the LGS staff

Action: Encourage and promote existing LGS staff need to attend relevant scientific/computer/research training seminars/classes as available, to regularly examine scientific publications and the Internet, to regularly attend and make presentations at scientific talks, gatherings and conventions, and to regularly present papers at professional conferences and meetings (see Objective 4.3). Particular attention needs to be paid to ensuring that the staff is aware of and regularly uses computerized research aid programs.

Constraints: Resistance to continuous change, funding to hire new highly qualified staff.

Indicators: The quality and skills of the LGS staff improves noticeably through time.

Objective 4.2: To improve the quality and availability of LGS research equipment

Action: To insure that LGS research equipment (vehicles, computers, GPS units, etc.) is maintained, updated and/or replaced regularly and does not become obsolete; to insure that sufficient equipment is available that there are no (or at least minimal) conflicts and/or bottlenecks in need and usage. A list of projected justified needs should be compiled, kept, and updated regularly so that the acquisition and distribution of such items occurs on an organized and prioritized basis and not on a haphazard one.

Constraints: Funds.

Indicators: The LGS has better, functional, well-distributed, sufficient, and current research equipment.

Objective 4.3: To ensure that the LGS stays on the cutting edge of research technology

Action: Develop new research methods, techniques, and opportunities by means of examining scientific publications and the Internet, and by attending scientific talks, gatherings and conventions; adapt them to LGS use as appropriate, affordable, and beneficial; attempt to obtain University funding for high-tech equipment/technology by demonstrating research funds obtainable with the aid of such equipment/technology.

Constraints: Staff time and funding. As one person cannot monitor the entire range of geosciences, the entire LGS staff will need to be convinced that it is in their very best interest to keep totally current in new research methods, techniques, and opportunities in their areas of specific interest and time will need to be made available for them to do so.

Indicators: The LGS is recognized as an organization on the cutting edge of research.

Strategic Direction 5: To develop new LGS programs

Objective 5.1: To develop an LGS water resources program.

Action: To work with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, the United States Geological Survey, and regional and local groundwater and drainage agencies to develop an effective, recognized, broad-based, and funded water resources program. To determine what is required for the LGS to have such a program and to implement those changes.

Constraints: The LGS has consistently been unable to develop a water resources program.

Indicators: Successful development of an effective, recognized, broad-based, funded LGS water resources program.

Objective 5.2: Extend the existing LGS educational outreach programs for K-12 and schoolteachers.

Action: Assist more schools and schoolteachers to inform and educate students about how the earth sciences affect their daily lives.

Constraints: Funds, staff time, and staff.

Indicators: Successful extension of the existing LGS educational outreach program.

Objective 5.3: Develop multidisciplinary research projects in cooperation with other earth science, energy, and engineering related departments and research units at LSU.

Action: Work with the other earth science, energy, and engineering related departments and research units at LSU to put together multidisciplinary research projects and attempt to secure external funding for such projects.

Constraints: Determining appropriate department roles in each project.

Indicators: Successful development of funded multi-unit research projects with LGS involvement.