Key Issues Across Functional Areas of Work – Near Final Draft

Academic Program Development and Instructional Quality

Academic Programs Offered
Educational Distinctives
Opportunities for Experiential Learning and administration of those opportunities
Instructor/student ratio
Faculty credentials (degrees, external recognition of scholarship and service)
Availability and use of instructional technologies
Library resources (facilities, collection, and services)
Accreditation (University and Program/Department)
Learning Outcomes Assessment Plan
Academic standards for successful progress, degree completion, and academic integrity violations
Student loan default rate

Admissions and Recruitment

Admission Criteria and Admission categories (for FTIC and Transfer)
Application and Admission processes (for FTIC and Transfer)
Appeal process (for FTIC and Transfer)
Transfer credit policies and practices
Admission policies and practices aimed at diversifying the student body
Recruitment staff and budget (including average per student cost)
Key elements in Recruitment plan (FTIC and Transfer)
Frequency and type of communication with HS counselors and influential teachers/coaches
Frequency and type of communication with CC academic advisors/counselors and coaches
Affordability (current tuition rates, historical trends in tuition costs/increases, housing costs/trends, type of institutional academic awards, type of institutional participation awards, etc.)
Payment Options
Number/percentage of students who receive state, federal, and institutional aid
Percent of need met by aid package

Faculty and Staff Development and Retention

Diversity within staff, faculty, and administrative ranks
Employee Orientation program (faculty, staff, and administrators)
Level of and equity in compensation (faculty, staff, and administrators)
Type and quality of health, life, sick/vacation/family leave, education, and retirement benefits (faculty, staff, and administrators)
Type of and funding support for professional development (faculty, staff, and administrators)
Employee recognition program (faculty, staff, and administrators)
Employee turnover (faculty, staff, and administrators)
Faculty work assignment (teaching loads and load credit for service, advising or administrative work)
Evaluation processes (faculty, staff, administrators)
Tenure and promotion criteria and procedures
University Governance structure and opportunity to participate (faculty and staff)
Policies, procedures and practices related to use of part-time employees (faculty, staff, and student workers)
Policies/practices related to flexible job design (staff and faculty)
Frequency and type of internal communication

Student Development and Retention

Diversity within student population
Type and quality of academic support services for all students throughout their college experience (e.g. freshmen, students with disabilities, minority and international students, conditionally admitted students, at risk students, athletes, honor students, graduating seniors, students seeking experiential learning here or abroad, etc.)
Academic Advising program philosophy and design
Registration and grade distribution processes
Available options for co-curricular participation and leadership (e.g., athletics, student media, arts performance, forensics, special interest clubs)
Integration of co-curricular activities with student learning
Opportunity for input and involvement in Student and University governance, student fee allocation, as well as student discipline and grievance processes
Residential life options, policies, and program of activities
Food service options, policies, and programs
Features of Student Development Program of Activities (e.g. leadership training, meeting management, conflict resolution, etc)
Features of Student Achievement Recognition Program (academic, leadership, and service)
Features of Student Entertainment Program
Type and availability of health and counseling services (services, hours, staffing)
Campus security program (role of security staff, services provided, facility protection, response time, special policies for technology, escort services, party patrol)
Crime rates
Retention Rates
Graduation Rates
Graduate school and occupational placement rates
Average starting salaries for graduates
Average indebtedness at graduation

Institutional Mission and Advancement

Internal “Shared Mission” program designed to promote mission-inspired culture
Integration of faith, values and service across-the-curriculum and within specific faith-based programs
Integration of faith, values, and services in co-curricular activities, residential life, student development, and student activities
Integration of faith, values, and service in staff and faculty life
Integrated Marketing Communications Plan for awareness, image building, recruitment, placement, alumni connections, and donor cultivation
Existence and maintenance of University traditions
Features of Alumni Services Program to promote continued University connections
Practices, staffing, and annual/historical success of Comprehensive Development Plan (e.g., Annual Fund, major-donor fundraising plan, planned giving, grant acquisition)
Features of Recognition Program for donors and friends
Integrated Employer Connection program to directly promote student placement and indirectly serve long-term development goals
Type and number of University-Community, University-Church and University-Employer Partnerships for mutual benefit
Program of cultural, entertainment, and educational opportunities available to all community members, as well as special populations (high school students, senior citizens, teachers, alumni, etc.)
University economic impact on community

Administrative and Support Services

Overall CAS Institutional Structure and Design
Evidence of programs, policies and practices to ensure adherence to all required regulatory, legal and ethical issues (e.g., FABS, EEO in hiring and admission, Title IX, FERPA, HIPPA, Patriot Act, ADA, work-place safety, OSHA, mission-related ethical standards, due process in grievance procedures, etc)
Overall condition of the campus (memorable architectural features, age of buildings, date of last renovations)
Deferred Maintenance Plan (funding and plan for routine, continuous maintenance, refurbishing, and upgrades of housing, food service, student activity, classroom, athletic, administrative services, and campus grounds)
Long-term, comprehensive plan for major facility renewal
Funding, staffing, and available resources for the hard, soft, and web-based technological services required for administrative and academic applications across all functional areas
Balanced budget
Practices, procedures and policies for providing budget oversight and management
Standard financial ratios
Current size of and historic trends for net assets
Current size of and historic trends for size of endowment (long term investments)
Current enrollment figures and historic enrollment trends
Current net tuition figures and historic net tuition trends
Current discount rate and historical trends