current | 4-29-04 | 4-22-04 | 4-20-04 | 4-6-2004 | 3-24-04 | 3-10-04 | 3-03-04 | 2-26-03
June 9, 2004
To the University Community:
This is the eighth in a series of bulletins on preparation at UNC for the accreditation review by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities (NCA). This bulletin focuses on the fifth and final criterion of the Commission. Following is a draft of strengths, challenges, and opportunities related to Criterion 5, Engagement and Service. These and other points are elaborated in the self-study report.
Criterion 5: Engagement and Service. As called for by its mission, the organization identifies its constituencies and serves them in ways both value.
Examples of Strengths, Challenges, and Opportunities at UNC Related to Criterion 5.
-- UNC has an extensive array of outreach and service activities that are closely aligned with its mission. As a result, the University engages many external constituencies. For example, the University carries out partnerships and programs that reach K-12 professionals, health care providers and clients, performing artists and audiences, and community members seeking psychological services.
-- The University maintains structures and processes that enable effective connections with the community. It does so, in part, through traditional communications with the media and community groups. The University also has hosted a series of panel discussions, lectures, and events on several topics of community interest, including ballot initiatives, drought, and culture and diversity. In addition, the University reaches its alumni through Spectrum, the university magazine with a circulation of 80,000.
-- The University operates extensive off-campus programs, online courses and programs, and multiple delivery systems throughout the state and region. To meet the educational needs of the state, several graduate programs are offered in high-demand disciplines such as teacher education, special education, counseling, nursing, school psychology, speech language pathology, sport administration, principal licensure, and foreign languages-Spanish teaching.
-- The University engages in environmental scanning to learn about the educational needs of students and citizens in the region. For example, the Office of Extended Studies assesses professional development needs of constituencies by conducting research within communities. Both academic and academic support units gather information about the quality of University programs.
-- The university is a dynamic institution that connects students in a variety of learning communities for the mutual benefit of the student and the community. UNC fosters co-curricular activities that provide students and their families with opportunities to expand learning and to address the needs of external communities.
-- The University sponsors select centers and institutes that operate with national visibility, bringing prestige to the institution, educating the public, and serving as a resource to teachers, principals, parents, children, health consumers, policy makers, and scholars.
-- The University outreach programs are subject to continual review through budgetary analyses and program reviews. In some cases, programs have been revised, re-aligned, or discontinued as a result of the reviews. The University continues to evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of service activities.
-- Advisory boards are established for many units with external partnerships. These advisory boards are comprised of professionals who work in the field as well as community leaders; boards meet regularly to provide UNC programs with the feedback they need to respond to the changing needs of students and the community.
Thanks for your attention and willingness to learn more about the University's preparation for review by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. You can learn more about the self-study process at www.unco.edu/nca . Editing of the self-study document is underway and will continue until submission this July.
Vincent Scalia and Teresa McDevitt, Co-Chairs, NCA Steering Committee