Oakland University President Gary Russi looked toward the future in this year’s university update, on Feb. 1. He also acknowledged that the current budget crisis that threatens state funding for OU will continue to get worse before it gets better.

Russi enumerated the goals OU has set for 2020, after recognizing the success of his vision for 2010 and the ongoing capital campaign, which has earned $95 million of the $110 million goal. The campaign, which is slated for five years, has two years remaining.

Goals for 2020 include:

•Exposure to a diverse learning environment, which includes increasing opportunities to study and live abroad.

•Expanding professional programs to meet the demands of the marketplace but keeping the liberal arts programs going strong.

•Building partnerships in the community to solve problems, to be a presence in the business and philanthropic communities and to create new opportunities for students.

•Broadening a research-intensive agenda, to enhance research opportunities, meet the needs of corporate partners, to expand funding and to increase the university’s presence in the research community.

•Offering improved facilities, services, technologies and opportunities for OU students.

•Growing enrollment, with the goal of having 25,000 enrolled students, as well as expanding faculty, staff, services and technology to accommodate these new students.

•Developing satellite campuses and new partnerships with other colleges and universities.

•Corporate training and opportunities for entrepreneurship.