The legal authority and operating control of the University with respect to institutional mission is clearly defined.

The State of Louisiana has a two-tiered governing structure for higher education. The following statement articulates the commitment to shared governance between the two governing boards: “The responsibilities of the Board of Regents and those of the four management boards are carefully drawn to ensure a balance and distinction between coordinating, planning and policy-making and management implementation [. . .]. The Board of Regents is a policy-making and coordinating board only; it is not directly involved in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the various college campuses.”

Oversight for day-to-day operations falls to one of the four higher education systems: The Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System, The University of Louisiana System, The Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College System and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. The University of Louisiana System is responsible for the management and supervision of McNeese State University as stipulated by Louisiana Revised Statute RS17:3217: “The University of Louisiana system is composed of the institutions under the supervision and management of the Board of Trustees for State Colleges and Universities [. . .]”.

The development of the University mission traditionally begins on campus with University constituents participating in the ongoing process of developing a mission statement that reflects the ever-changing cultural, economic, and educational interests of the region. The mission statement is reviewed and approved by the University President and his Executive Staff, then submitted to the Board of Regents before it is published in its final form. The University's current mission statement was revised during the 2004-2005 academic year in order to reflect changes in admission criteria scheduled for implementation in the fall 2005 as

In its efforts to maximize service to the citizens of Louisiana and to use resources allocated to institutions of higher education effectively, the Board of Regents Master Plan identified each state institution’s mission. The mission identified by the Master Plan for Public Postsecondary Education: 2001 for McNeese is as follows:

McNeese State University primarily serves the educational and cultural needs of the citizens of the southwest region of Louisiana. It continues to affect favorably the economic growth and development of the oil, gas, petrochemical, and related industries that operate in the region. The institution seeks to raise the level of education and productivity as well as the quality of life for the citizens of Louisiana.

McNeese allocates resources and functions according to principles and values that promote accountability for academic integrity, for excellence in teaching, for the generation of scholarly and creative activity, and for cultural awareness and development. The university emphasizes teaching excellence in baccalaureate degree programs. It also offers selected graduate degree programs. Instructional delivery via distance learning technology is used to provide access to a broader population. McNeese seeks partnerships and collaborative arrangements with community entities and other postsecondary institutions in preparing students to become contributing members of society and to best serve the interests and needs of Southwest Louisiana.

McNeese is categorized as an SREB Four-Year 4 institution, as a Carnegie Master’s College and University I, and as a COC/SACS Level IV institution. It will offer a wide range of baccalaureate programs and will be committed to graduate education through the master’s degree, offering graduate programs to meet regional or state needs. The university will limit associate degree offerings to 2+2 programs, conduct research appropriate to academic programs offered and necessary for program accreditation, and implement, at a minimum, Selective III admissions criteria. McNeese is located in Region V. (Master Plan for Public Postsecondary Education: 2001, 44-45)

Reviewing its existing mission statement in light of the Board of Regents mandates, the University initiated a process through which the mission statement was revised. The process 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 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.

As Chief Executive Officer of the University, the President is instrumental in the development and revision of the University mission statement and gives final approval before the document is submitted to the ULS system for review. The role of the University President is defined by University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors. Representative duties and responsibilities are designated as follows in the ULS Bylaws:

• Providing academic leadership for the campus through established planning processes and prioritization of goals and objectives;

• Promoting academic excellence through execution of strategic initiatives outlined by the System President and the Board;

• Motivating personnel to accomplish the campus mission;

• Using campus resources in an innovative and efficient manner. (Bylaws, Section IV.A.7).

Active participation in and careful oversight of the process by which the mission statement is developed by the President of the University and the Executive Staff assures that not only are University stakeholders represented, but also that the goals and objectives of the University’s governing boards are met.

Supporting Evidence

McNeese State University Mission Statement

Louisiana Constitution of 1974, Article 8, Section 6

Louisiana Revised Statutes 17:3217

Minutes of Executive Staff indicting review of Mission Statement

April 29, 2005 Board of Supervisors Meeting Minutes

McNeese State University 2006-2007 Faculty/Staff Handbook

University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors Rules, Section IV, A. The President's Role

University Organizational Chart