Section 2:
Core Requirements
2.1 2.2 2.3
2.4 2.5 2.6
2.7.1 2.7.2 2.7.3
2.7.4 2.8 2.9
2.10 2.11 2.12
Section 3:
Comprehensive Standards
3.1.1 3.2.1  
3.2.2.1 3.2.2.2 3.2.2.3
3.2.2.4 3.2.3 3.2.4
3.2.5 3.2.6 3.2.7
3.2.8 3.2.9 3.2.10
3.2.11 3.2.12 3.2.13
3.2.14 3.3.1 3.4.1
3.4.2 3.4.3 3.4.4
3.4.5 3.4.6 3.4.7
3.4.8 3.4.9 3.4.10
3.4.11 3.4.12 3.4.13
3.4.14 3.5.1 3.5.2
3.6.1 3.6.2 3.6.3
3.7.1 3.7.2 3.7.3
3.7.4 3.7.5 3.8.1
3.8.2 3.8.3 3.9.1
3.9.2 3.9.3 3.10.1
3.10.2 3.10.3 3.10.4
3.10.5 3.10.6 3.10.7
Section 4:
Federal Requirements
4.1 4.2 4.3
4.4 4.5 4.6
4.7 4.8

 

 

 
McNeese State University
Compliance Plan for Reaffirmation
 
 

Section 2.4: Institutional Mission

Judgment of Compliance

checked.png Compliance
unchecked.png Partial Compliance
unchecked.png Non-compliance

Requirement

The institution has a clearly defined and published mission statement specific to the institution and appropriate to an institution of higher education, addressing teaching and learning and, where applicable, research and public service.

Narrative

McNeese State University is in compliance with Core Requirement 2.4.

The University has a clearly defined and published mission statement specific to the institution and appropriate to an institution of higher education, addressing teaching and learning and research and public service. Published in the 2006-07 McNeese State University Catalog, in other official University documents, and on the University home page, the University's mission statement is clearly defined and is derived from four core values that guide daily decision-making and long-term planning and development. These values, appropriate to an institution of higher education, include the following:

    • student success

    • academic excellence

    • fiscal responsibility

    • university-community linkages. (2006-07 McNeese State University Catalog, 16).

The current mission statement iterates the University's commitment to teaching and learning, research and public service. The process through which the current mission statement evolved illustrates an informed process that supports the University's commitment to education, research, and service in Southwest Louisiana. Revision of the University's mission statement began in 2001 as a part of a state-wide initiative. The State of Louisiana Board of Regents' document Master Plan for Post-Secondary Education: 2001 called for the refinement of a comprehensive, statewide higher education system in order "to increase opportunities for student access and success, ensure quality and accountability [among institutions], and enhance services to communities and the state" (9). As a response to the Board of Regents' recommendation, the University began an in-house review and revision of its mission statement. The review process is outlined below:

    • The Vice President of Academic Affairs appointed a committee to review the existing mission statement, which had guided the University since its last accreditation review in 1996.

    • The committee submitted a revision draft to the Academic Advisory Council on January 10, 2005, inviting comments or suggestions.

    • The Office of Institutional Effectiveness (IE) sent the draft to the Alumni Board on February 1, 2005.

    • IE distributed the draft to all university faculty, staff, and students via the campus listserve and faculty and staff via campus mail on February 4, 2005.

    • IE distributed the draft to the McNeese Foundation Board on April 5, 2005.

    • A team consisting of the President, his Executive Staff, and the Director of Institutional Effectiveness reviewed and integrated, where appropriate, comments from various constituents.

    • The revised mission statement was submitted to the University of Louisiana System for review on March 18, 2005, and placed on the Board Meeting Agenda on April 29, 2005, when it was approved.

The revision and evaluation process culminated in the current mission statement, which is specific to McNeese State University and its constituents and is appropriate to an institution of higher learning. Serving a slightly different constituency than that previously served when McNeese State University was an open-admissions institution, the mission statement below incorporates the values that drive all University activities and reflects changes that refine and sharpen its focus:

McNeese State University, a selective admissions institution, provides education, research, and service that support our core values of academic excellence, student success, fiscal responsibility, and university-community alliances. The University’s fundamental educational mission is to offer associate, baccalaureate, and specific graduate curricula distinguished by academic excellence. The University engages in collaborative ventures to benefit industry and to enhance economic development and cultural growth in this region and beyond.

The foundation for student success begins with faculty commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and creative and scholarly activity. At McNeese State University, a member of the University of Louisiana System, students cultivate skills for critical thinking and effective expression and gain an understanding of the global community. The learning and social environment integrates discipline-specific knowledge with the values of lifelong learning, ethical responsibility, and civic engagement. (2006-07 McNeese State University Catalog, 16)

Supporting Evidence

McNeese State University Mission Statement

Mission Statement Letter to ULS System

Louisiana Board of Regents Master Plan for Postsecondary Education

University of Louisiana System Board Meeting Minutes 4-29-05

Minutes of Executive Staff indicating review of Mission Statement