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
April 29, 2004
To the University Community:
This is the seventh in a series of bulletins on preparation at UNC for the NCA accreditation review. This bulletin focuses on the fourth criterion of the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Universities (NCA). Following is a draft of strengths, challenges, and opportunities related to Criterion 4, Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge. These and other points are elaborated in the self-study report.
NCA Criterion 4: Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge. The organization promotes a life of learning for its faculty, administration, staff, and students by fostering and supporting inquiry, creativity, practice, and social responsibility in ways consistent with its mission.
Examples of Strengths, Challenges, and Opportunities at UNC Related to Criterion 4.
-- There is broad support for faculty, administrators, and staff to avail themselves of professional development opportunities on campus, in the community, and at the national level. University faculty and staff also stay abreast in their fields of specialization by attending workshops and conferences and by conducting research, creative works, and other forms of scholarship. Faculty members are, by and large, active scholars; their research and creative works are evaluated as part of annual and comprehensive reviews.
-- Recognition systems for students, faculty, and staff are extensive, occurring at many levels across departments, the colleges, and at the university level.
-- Intellectual inquiry is infused into undergraduate programs, the General Education program, and the graduate programs. Many undergraduate and graduate students participate in research and other creative works.
-- A large array of curricular and co-curricular activities is available for students, faculty, and staff. Members of the University community are active participants on campus and in the local communities.
-- In recent years, an honor code was developed by students. The code is consistent with the University mission and it is widely disseminated.
-- Programs across the University solicit input from groups and individuals regarding the currency and effectiveness of their curricula.
-- Further engagement by the surrounding community in campus educational and cultural events could deepen the life-long learning of the public and communicate the University's abiding interest in the wellbeing of local citizens.
-- Several individual programs regularly send surveys to alumni regarding satisfaction and employment. Increased coordination of these efforts might enhance administrative efficiency and improve quality of contacts with alumni.
-- There is an ongoing need to enhance diversity in its broad definition on campus and in the curriculum. Individual units and central programs educate faculty, staff, and students about diversity issues. The University might review and strengthen its professional development in diversity for faculty and staff.
-- A University Web site devoted to responsible conduct would help students, faculty, staff, and administrators learn about changing ethical guidelines for research, principles of intellectual property, and copyright compliance in paper and digital environments.
-- Support for a life of learning has been present in several University plans over the past decade (e.g., University Plan 1999-2005 and Charting the Future). Investing in a life of learning is a challenge when financial allocations are meager, yet the intellectual vitality of the University depends on a steady flow of resources to professional development, research, and other creative works.
-- In some areas the loop between analysis of data (from research, assessment, and evaluation studies) and curricular change is clearly articulated. However, this connection is not consistent across program areas and it could be more broadly implemented.
Thanks for your attention and willingness to learn more about the University's preparation for the NCA accreditation review. The draft of the self-study report is available for campus review and comment, www.unco.edu/nca . Editing will continue until the document is ready for submission this July.
Vincent Scalia and Teresa McDevitt, Co-Chairs, NCA Steering Committee