Montana State University - Bozeman meets the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges eligibility requirements as required for continued membership with the Commission on Colleges.  Montana State University - Bozeman complies with all twenty-five (25) eligibility requirements as follows:

·         Montana State University - Bozeman is granted the authority by the Montana Constitution to grant degrees at the bachelor, master, and doctoral level.

·         The Montana Board of Regents is granted authority by the Montana Constitution to carry out the mission of Montana State University - Bozeman.  The Board consists of seven (7) members, appointed by the Governor, who serve seven (7)-year terms, except for the student member who serves one (1) year.  Members of the Board have no contractual, employment, or personal financial interest in Montana State University - Bozeman.

·         The institution is not related to any outside organization, and maintains a high degree of intellectual independence of its faculty and students.

·         Montana State University - Bozeman is guided by a President who is a twelve (12)-month, full-time employee of the institution.

·         Montana State University - Bozeman's Mission Statement was adopted by the Board of Regents in January, 1997, and its tripartite purpose of providing undergraduate and graduate educational programs; conducting research and creative activity, both basic and applied; and providing service through outreach to the state, region, and nation are appropriate to higher education.

·         The institution commits its resources in support of its Mission and educational objectives.  It gives the well- being of its students the highest of priorities.

·         Institutional policies are formulated with the appropriate involvement of constituent groups such as faculty, students, administrators, and board members, and are guided by the Institution's Policy and Procedures Manuals.

·         Montana State University - Bozeman offers baccalaureate degrees in fifty (50) fields with many different options, master's degrees in thirty-nine (39) fields, and doctoral degrees in thirteen (13) fields.  These degrees are granted from seven (7) academic colleges - the College of Agriculture; the College of Arts and Architecture; the College of Business; the College of Education, Health and Human Development; the College of Engineering; the College of Letters and Science; and the College of Nursing.

·         Bachelor's degrees require a minimum of four (4) years for completion; master and doctoral degrees require an appropriate level of additional time and credit.  Bachelor's degrees require that a minimum of thirty (30) credits be completed in residence; master's degrees require that a minimum of two-thirds of the required credits (including thesis) be completed in residence; doctoral degrees require that a minimum of thirty (30) credits be completed in residence.

·         All baccalaureate degree programs require thirty-two (32) credits of general education core in communication, mathematics, fine arts, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and multicultural/global perspectives. All baccalaureate degrees additionally require a prescribed program of specialized study relative to each degree program.

·         Educational objectives for each program and means for achievement are published in the Montana State University 1990-2000 Graduate and Undergraduate Bulletin, on the MSU Web site, and in individual department material.

·         The majority of courses at Montana State University. Bozeman require a solid foundation of learning skills taught in a preparatory program of a high school. Entering students must have completed a College Preparatory Program or a similar program required by their home state.  This program must include four (4) years of English; three (3) years of mathematics; three (3) years of social studies; two (2) years of laboratory science; and two (2) years chosen from a foreign language, computer science, visual and performing arts, or vocational education units which meet the Office of Public Instruction guidelines.

·         The institution values and encourages the academic freedom of its faculty and students.

·         Montana State University - Bozeman employs 728.97 FTE faculty, adequate for the educational level offered, including a full-time core faculty representing every discipline in which it offers major work.

·         The institution provides an academic environment which encourages learning and dialog through lectures, seminars, recitations, studios, laboratory experiences, research experiences, and independent studies.

·         The Libraries of Montana State University - Bozeman offers research and information resources to students, faculty, Montana citizens, and the state's business community. The Renne Library is the Institution's core library facility.  The Creative Arts Library, the only branch library on campus, houses materials for the disciplines of art and architecture, including an extensive slide collection. The Libraries are the most heavily used academic buildings on campus, and house over 600,000 books, nearly 3,700 subscriptions, and 80,000 slides.  Inter-library loan services provide access to material not available in the library. Other materials are accessible through Internet resources and electronic publications.

·         Montana State University - Bozeman is committed to nondiscrimination towards students, staff, and faculty, as overseen by the University's Compliance officer.  As stated in the Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action policy:

·         The institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual preference, marital status, age, religion, creed or political belief, mental or physical handicap or disability, or status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran in admission, access to, or conduct of its educational programs and activities not in its employment policies or practice.

·         Montana State University - Bozeman is committed to providing a working environment for all employees and an educational environment for all students that supports and rewards career and academic goals on the basis of ability and work or academic performance.  Harassment based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability is a form of discrimination and is prohibited.

·         Montana State University- Bozeman has uniform admissions policies specifying requirements for admission for first-time undergraduates, transfer students, international undergraduate students, and Canadian undergraduate students. In addition, individual program requirements may have additional admission requirements.

·         The Montana State University 1990-2000 Graduate and Undergraduate Bulletin and the institution's Web Site, both available to students and the public, contain the Mission; admission requirements and procedures; rules and regulations for conduct; academic regulations; degree-completion requirements; programs and courses with specific indications of when they are offered; tuition, fees and other costs; refund policies, and other items relative to attending the institution or withdrawing from it.

·         The institution practices responsible financial planning and development in support of its Mission, by demonstrating a balanced budget for state-appropriated dollars, and an appropriate level of debt service.

·         The institution's financial records are externally audited on a biannual basis by the state's Legislative Audit Division.  This division provides an audit report at an exit conference which includes findings and recommendations.

·         The institution has been in operation since 1983, and has adhered to the standards of the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges Commission on Colleges since its initial accreditation in April 1932.

·         Montana State University - Bozeman accepts the policies and standards of the Commission on Colleges and the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, and agrees to comply with these standards and policies as currently stated or as modified in accordance with due process.

·         The institution has been responsive to requests from the Commission on Colleges for accreditation-based information.

·         Montana State University - Bozeman understands and agrees that the Commission on Colleges may, at its discretion, make known to any agency or members of the public that may request such information, the nature of any action, positive or negative, regarding its status with the Commission.

 HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The following represents an overview of the history of Montana State University, from its inception until the present time. Entries include, but are not limited to, pivotal events in the history of MSU, presidential elections, completion of major academic buildings, institutional name changes, and other pertinent milestones. This information was gathered in part from the following publications:

In The People's Interest: A Centennial History of Montana State University, written in 1992 by Robert Rydell, Jeffrey Safford, and Pierce Mullen, in celebration of MSU's one hundredth anniversary [Exhibit 0.01]

A History: Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, written in 1958 by Merrill G. Burlingame in celebration of MSU's seventy-fifth anniversary [Exhibit 0.02]

Montana State College: 1893-1919, written in 1943 by Merrill G. Burlingame in celebration of MSU's fiftieth anniversary [Exhibit 0.03]

·         1862     President Abraham Lincoln signed into law the Morrill Land Grant Act which supported "the endowment, support and maintenance of at least one college in each state where the leading objective shall be, without excluding other scientific or classical studies, to teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts, as the legislatures of the states may respectively prescribe, in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions of life."

·         1881     Under the Land Grant Act of 1881, 46,000 acres are deeded to the territory of Montana to help endow a university.

·         1887     The Hatch Act authorized the sale of additional public lands to endow agricultural experiment stations at land grant colleges.

·         1888     The Enabling Act (enabling Montana to become a state) provided 140,000 additional acres for a college of agriculture and mechanic arts.

·         1889     President Benjamin Harrison signed the official proclamation which allowed Montana to enter the Union as the forty-first state.

·         1890     The Second Morrill Act appropriated $15,000 annually to each land-grant college and an additional $1000 per year until the sum reached $25,000.

·         1893     In February, Montana Governor John E. Richards signed a bill establishing the Agricultural College of the State of Montana in Bozeman.

·         1893     Augustus M. Ryon elected first president of the College (served until 1894).

·         1893     First session of the Agricultural College of the State of Montana held in April; eight students attended.

·         1893     The title Montana College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts used in college catalog.

·         1894     Completion of the Experiment Station Building; subsequently named Taylor Hall for J.C. Taylor, leader of the Montana Extension Service in the 1920's through the 1940's.

·         1894     The Reverend James Reid elected president (served until 1904).

·         1898     Completion of Montana Hall (originally Old Main).

·         1904     James M. Hamilton elected president (served until 1919).

·         1907     Completion of the Agricultural Building (also known as Morrill Hall); subsequently named Linfield Hall for Frederic B. Linfield, director of the agriculture experiment station and dean of the College of Agriculture from 1913 to 1937.

·         1910     Completion of Hamilton Hall; named for Emma Hamilton, wife of President Hamilton.

·         1913     Name changed to "Montana State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts" in March (through law that established chancellorship of the university system).

·         1916     A 240-foot by 160-foot "M" was formed by the class of 1918 on the west face of Mount Baldy in the Bridger Mountains just northeast of Bozeman.

·         1919     Alfred Atkinson elected president (served until 1937).

·         1920     Completion of the Earth Sciences and Psychology Building; subsequently named Traphagen Hall for Frank W. Traphagen, one of the first faculty members of chemistry and natural sciences.

·         1921     The title "Montana State College" used in college catalog.

·         1922     Completion of the Engineering Building; subsequently named Roberts Hall for William Milnor Roberts, chief engineer for Northern Pacific Railroad and president of the American Society of Civil Engineers in the late 1800's.

·         1922     Completion of The Gymnasium; subsequently named Romney Gymnasium for G. Ott Romney, head basketball and football coach in the 1920's.

·         1922     Completion of the Engineering Shop Building; subsequently named Ryon Laboratories for Augustus M. Ryon, first president of the college. Demolished in 1996 to make room for the Engineering/Physical Sciences Building.

·         1922     Completion of the Biology Building, Lewis Hall; named for Meriwether Lewis, naturalist and co-leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-1806.

·         1924     Completion of Outdoor Recreation Center (originally Beef Cattle Barn, then S.O.B. Barn); saved by students from destruction in 1971.

·         1926     Completion of Herrick Hall; named for Una B. Herrick, first dean of women and director of the College of Household and Industrial Arts.

·         1930     Completion of Gatton Field Gate, gate to football field; relocated west of original location in 1999.

·         1932     Montana State College receives original accreditation from the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges in April.

·         1935     Completion of The Quads (originally The Alfred Atkinson Quadrangle); provided superior accommodations. for women students.

·         1937     Dr. A.L. Strand elected president (served until 1942).

·         1940     Completion of Strand Union Building (Student Union Building); named for college president Dr. Augustus LeRoy Strand.

·         1942     Dr. Roland R. Renne elected president (served until 1964).

·         1949     Completion of Renne Library; named for Dr. Roland Renne, president.

·         1954     Completion of the Math-Physics Building; subsequently named A.J.M. Johnson Hall for Arthur J.M. Johnson, head of physics department from 1938 to 1968.

·         1958     Completion of Breeden Field House; built to replace Romney Gym; named for John "Brick" Breeden, former member of Golden Bobcat basketball team, later head basketball coach for seventeen (17) years and athletic director.

·         1959     Completion of Business and Education Building, Reid Hall; named for James Reid, second president of the College.

·         1960     Construction of Cooley Laboratory; named for Robert A. Cooley, head of the department of zoology and entomology for thirty (30) years.

·         1961     Construction of Chemistry Building, Gaines Hall; named for Pascual Gaines, faculty member for forty-three (43) years and head of chemistry department.

·         1964     Leon H. Johnson elected president (served until 1969).

·         1965     School finally and officially designated Montana State University in July, by act of the thirty-ninth legislative assembly of the State of Montana.

·         1970     Dr. Carl W. McIntosh elected president (served until 1977).

·         1970     Construction of the Engineering Building, Cobleigh Hall; named for William Cobleigh, head of the chemistry department and dean of the College of Engineering in the early 1900's.

·         1973     Completion of Hoseaus Health and Physical Education Center; named for Marga Hoseaus, longtime director of women's health and physical education.

·         1973     Construction of the Music Building, Howard Hall; named for Louis Howard who joined the faculty in 1908 and served as band director for thirty-eight (38) years.

·         1973     Construction of the Museum of the Rockies.

·         1973     Construction of the Reno H. Sales Stadium; named for Reno H. Sales, a member of the first Bobcat football team.

·         1973     Construction of College of Nursing, Sherrick Hall; named for Anna Pearl Sherrick, first director of the School of Nursing.

·         1973     Completion of the Life Sciences Building, Leon H. Johnson Hall; named for Leon H. Johnson, professor of biochemistry, executive director of the Endowment and Research Foundation, dean of graduate studies, and president from 1964 to 1969.

·         1974     Construction of the Architecture Building, Cheever Hall; named for Hurlbert Cheever, architecture faculty member for forty (40) years and head of the school for nineteen (19).

·         1974     Construction of Haynes Hall, part of the Creative Arts Complex; named for Jack Ellis Haynes, famed pictorial recorder of Yellowstone National Park.

·         1976     Opening of the Liberal Arts Building, Wilson Hall; named for Milburn L. Wilson, agricultural economist, faculty member, and later undersecretary of agriculture for President Roosevelt.

·         1977     Dr. William J. Tietz, Jr., elected president (served until1990).

·         1982     Completion of Visual Communications Building.

·         1986     General Education Core required for all graduates.

·         1987     Completion of Plant Growth Center, climate-controlled agronomic experiment lab.

·         1991     Board of Regents mandate conversion from quarters to semesters.

·         1991     Dr. Michael P. Malone elected president (current president).

·         1993     Completion of Centennial Mall in celebration of MSU's 100^th anniversary.

·         1994     MSU Long Range Plan (LRP) campus-endorsed and approved.

·         1994     Restructuring of the Montana University System into two (2) comprehensive universities - Montana State University and the University of Montana.

·         1994     University officially designated Montana State University - Bozeman.

·         1995     Execution of the Productivity, Quality, and Outcomes Agreement.

·         1995     Campus Role and Scope Statements eliminated by the Board of Regents.

·         1997     Current Mission Statement submitted to and approved by the Board of Regents.

·         1997     Special Review Committee formed.

·         1997     Completion of Engineering/Physical Sciences Building.

·         1998     Strategic Planning and Budget Committee formed.

·         1998     Revisions made to Long Range Plan; review conducted of state of Goals and Strategies.

·         1999     Completion of Ag/BioSciences Building.

 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, STEERING COMMITTEE, AND SUBCOMMITTEES

SELF-STUDY CHAIR

·         Pamela J. Hill, Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

·         Joe Fedock, Chair - Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

·         Cathy Conover - Director, University Relations

·         Chip Elam - Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Research & Creative Activity

·         Denny Klewin - Dean of Students

·         Dianna Wojtowicz - University Controller

STEERING COMMITTEE

·         Mary Bushing - Associate Professor; Information Resources Development Librarian

·         Joe Fedock - Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

·         Rolf Groseth - Systems Coordinator, MSU

·         Peter Kommers - Chair, Faculty Council; Professor of Architecture

·         Chris Lamb - Assistant Dean, College of Business

·         Chuck Nelson - Registrar and Director of Admissions

·         Craig Roloff - Assistant Vice President for Administration and Finance

·         Cecilia Vaniman - University Planner, Facilities Services

·         Dianna Wojtowicz, University Controller

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS

·         Corky Bush - Director, Affirmative Action

·         Cel Johnson - Director, Institutional Research

·         Leslie Taylor - University Legal Counsel

STANDARD ONE - INSTITUTIONAL MISSION AND GOALS, PLANNING AND EFFECTIVENESS

·         Joe Fedock, Chair - Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

·         Institutional Mission and Goals

·         Joe Fedock, Chair - Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

·         Cathy Conover - Director, University Relations

·         Chip Elam - Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Research & Creative Activity

·         Denny Klewin - Dean of Students

·         Dianna Wojtowicz - University Controller

·         Planning and Effectiveness

·         Robert Taylor, Chair - Associate Professor of Architecture

·         Ken Bruwelheide - Assistant Professor of Technology Education

·         Bob Waters - Director, Resource Center

·         Ramona Marotz-Baden - Professor of Health and Human Development

STANDARD TWO - EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT

·         Chris Lamb, Chair - Assistant Dean, College of Business

·         Undergraduate Programs

·         Robert Marley - Associate Dean, College of Engineering

·         Clayton Marlow - Assistant Dean, College of Agriculture

·         Adele Pittendrigh - Associate Dean, College of Letters & Science

·         Bruce Raymond - Associate Professor of Business

·         Craig Stewart - Assistant Dean, College of Education, Health and Human Development

·         Therese Sullivan - Associate Professor of Nursing

·         Russ Walker - Associate Dean, College of Letters & Science

·         Margaretha Wessel - Director, General Studies

·         Greg Young - Assistant Dean, College of Arts & Architecture

·         Graduate Programs

·         Bruce McLeod - Dean, College of Graduate Studies

·         Becky Ward - Assistant to the Dean, College of Graduate Studies

·         Continuing Education; Special Learning Activities; Distance Delivery

·         Kim Obbink - Director, Burns Telecommunications Center and Extended Studies

·         Mark Sheehan - Director, Information Technology Center

·         David Todd - Executive Director, Information Services and Vice Provost for Outreach

·         General Education

·         Adele Pittendrigh - Associate Dean, College of Letters & Science

·         Margaretha Wessel - Director, General Studies

·         Assessment

·         Pamela Hill - Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

·         Cel Johnson - Director, Institutional Research

·         Chris Lamb - Assistant to the Dean, College of Business

·         Credit for Experiential Learning; Transfer and Award of Academic Credit

·         Bonnie Ashley - Assistant Registrar

·         Chuck Nelson - Registrar and Director of Admissions

·         Study Abroad Programs

·         Norm Peterson - Director, International Programs

STANDARD THREE - STUDENTS

·         Chuck Nelson, Chair - Registrar and Director of Admissions

·         Bonnie Ashley - Assistant Registrar

·         Denny Klewin - Dean of Students

STANDARD FOUR - FACULTY

·         Peter Kommers, Chair - Chair, Faculty Council; Professor of Architecture

·         Dean Drenk - Associate Professor of Business

·         Rich Howard - Associate Professor of Education

·         Tom Roll - Professor of Anthropology; Department Head, Sociology and Anthropology

STANDARD FIVE - LIBRARY AND INFORMATION RESOURCES

·         Mary Bushing, Chair - Associate Professor; Information Resources Development Librarian

·         David Cherry - Assistant Professor of History

·         Chip Lippert - Student; Business Major, Student Member, University Library Committee

·         Bruce Morton - Dean of Libraries

·         Chuck Paden - Associate Professor of Biology

STANDARD SIX - GOVERNANACE AND ADMINISTRATION

·         Rolf Groseth, Chair - Systems Coordinator, MSU, and Executive Assistant to the President

·         Susan Alt - Director, Employee Relations

·         John Amend - Chair-Elect, Faculty Council; Professor, Chemistry

·         Dave Gibson - Dean, Engineering

·         Matt McKamey - Student; Agricultural Education Major; President, ASMSU

STANDARD SEVEN - FINANCE

·         Craig Roloff, Chair - Assistant Vice President for Administration and Finance

·         Jan Bosch - Director, Annual Fund, MSU Foundation

·         Clyde Carroll - Budget and Fiscal Director, Office of the Provost

·         Thomas H. Gibson - Treasurer, MSU

·         Karen Maika - Administrative Assistant, Administration and Finance

·         Sheron McIlhattan - Accountant, Controller's Office

·         Jeanne Wilkinson - Budget and Fiscal Director, Agricultural Experiment Station

STANDARD EIGHT - PHYSICAL RESOURCES

·         Cecilia Vaniman, Chair - University Planner, Facilities Services

·         Bob Lashaway - Director, Facilities Services

STANDARD NINE - INSTITUTIONAL INTEGRITY

·         Dianna Wojtowicz, Chair - University Controller

·         Cathy Conover - Director, University Relations

·         Chip Elam - Executive Assistant to the Vice President for Research & Creative Activity

·         Denny Klewin - Dean of Students

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The self-study process at Montana State University - Bozeman has been a twenty-four (24) month, major campus effort.  Many individuals generously contributed their time and expertise.

The Executive Committee served its purpose of overseeing the entire self-study process. Their invaluable guidance in this effort has been appreciated.

The Steering and Executive Committee members who coordinated the writing of each Standard distinguished themselves with exemplary service. They were tireless; they were available on demand; they worked as a team; and they were open to comments and rewrites.  They were particularly instrumental in the self-study process and deserve special recognition.

Wide participation of campus constituents has been instrumental.  The following individuals and committees deserve acknowledgment for their supporting efforts:

·         Susan Alt - Director, Employee Relations

·         Assessment & Outcomes Committee

·         Assistant Dean's Council

·         Carol Bittinger - Chair, CEPAC

·         John Borkowski - Associate Professor of Statistics

·         Ralph Brigham - Director, Career Services; Professional Staff Representative on the SPBC

·         Classified Staff in Montana Hall

·         Cathy Conover - Director, University Relations; former Director, Employee Relations

·         Core Curriculum Committee

·         Diane Edwards - General Studies

·         Connie Hupka - Former Chair, CEPAC

·         Cel Johnson - Director, Institutional Research

·         Courtney Kellum - Statistics graduate student

·         Peter Kommers - Chair, Faculty Council; Faculty Representative on SPBC

·         Professional Staff in Montana Hall

·         Beth A. Quinn - Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology

·         Erin Pasha - Accounting undergraduate student

·         Teaching/Learning Committee

·         Rik Scarce - Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Anthropology

·         Yurii Shvetsov - Statistics graduate student

·         Students in Statistics 510: Statistical Consulting Seminar

·         Undergraduate Studies Committee

·         Russ Walker - Associate Dean, College of Letters and Science

·         Roz Wortman - Post Office; Classified Staff Representative on SPBC

Finally, the "technical" crew pulled the final Self-Study document together:

·         Paula K. Beswick, Leslie Crismond - Technical Editors

·         Steve Burk - Web site, Web advisor (MSU Webmaster)

·         Karen Carter, Elizabeth Ruyle, Barbara Wills - Administrative Assistance (Office of the Provost)

·         Moss Hartt - Web site, graphic arts (Communications Services)

·         Bruce Raymond - Internal Auditing (College of Business)

·         Katherine Slocum - Self-Study cover design, graphic arts, and layout (Communications Services)

·         Aimee Wood - Web design and application (Institutional Research)

 SELF-STUDY METHODOLOGY

The self-study process that culminated in this report began September 1997 when a Self-Study Chair was appointed to coordinate the entire twenty-four (24) month effort.  The Chair began the process of selecting participants to design and prepare a comprehensive self-study process and document.  In all, nearly sixty (60) people worked together as a team. The overall composition of this working group was represented by faculty, staff, students, and administration. The end result is the Montana State University - Bozeman 1999 Institutional Self-Study.

COMMITTEES

Two (2) major committees were appointed to support the self-study process and resulting document: an Executive Committee and a Steering committee.  Executive Committee members represent the major branches of the University: Academic Affairs; Administration and Finance; the Executive Branch; Research, Creativity, and Technology Transfer; and Student Affairs.  The role of the Executive Committee has been to oversee the self-study process and provide guidance as needed.

The Steering Committee consists of nine (9) people, each representing one of the NASC Standards.  These members were selected for their on-going involvement in matters relating to a particular standard.  This committee met with the Self-Study Chair on a monthly basis during the early months, and much more frequently when the first drafts were being reviewed by the campus at large, as well as during the final draft stage.  The members of this committee have additionally been in close contact with the Self-Study Chair on a continuing basis.

Each Steering Committee member recommended an appropriate number of sub-committee members to assist in the self-study process, as well as in the writing of the Self-Study document.  Subsequently these individuals were officially appointed to serve.  Ultimately the Steering Committee assumed responsibility for writing the final Standards.  Information was gathered from numerous individuals and committees, and work was reviewed as it progressed.

The Executive and Steering Committee members met with NASC's Executive Director on two (2) occasions: first, in April of 1998 for the required institutional Preliminary Visit; and second, in January of 1999 to review progress and ask pertinent questions about the findings to date.  These meetings were instrumental in refining the direction of the ongoing self-study process and the resultant Self-Study document.

ORIGINAL INPUT

Many campus constituencies originally contributed input, ideas, and comments pertinent to the self-study process. This information was mostly gathered through the Steering Committee.  Individuals, committees, and groups who provided specific input in the self-study process are listed under Acknowledgments, pp. xxii.

In addition, the following four (4) university committees contributed their expertise and were major players in the self-study process:

·         The Assessment & Outcomes Committee (whose charge is to monitor the university-wide program to assess student learning in general education and the undergraduate majors)

·         The Core Curriculum Committee (whose charge is to articulate core philosophy; set criteria; set policy and procedures; and review, approve, and evaluate proposed core courses)

·         The Teaching/Learning Committee (whose charge is to improve faculty teaching by allocating funds for faculty development projects, and support assessment and outcomes on campus by sponsoring teaching improvement activities)

·         The Undergraduate Studies Committee (whose charge is to review all undergraduate programs and courses, requests for changes, additions, or deletions on a continuing basis; and consider such aspects as academic soundness, impact on library and other institutional resources, duplication of effort, and conflicts of academic interest)

Five (5) major campus surveys were administered during the past two (2) years to gather information pertinent to the self-study process.  Two (2) existing surveys were also used to support this effort.

A Faculty Survey, a Classified Staff Survey, and a Professional Staff Survey were administered in December 1998.  These surveys contained questions that were targeted at specific standards of the NASC Self-Study with the intent of providing empirical data in support of campus opinions.

A  Core Curriculum Student Opinion Survey was administered, also in December 1998.  This survey contained questions for students exclusively about the university core.  In addition, a previous survey was administered in 1997 to those faculty teaching Core courses.

The Faculty, Classified Staff, and Professional Staff surveys were distributed to a census of each group. The Core Curriculum Student Opinion Survey was distributed to a sample of students from a cross-section of university courses.

These surveys were developed, pre-tested, and analyzed with the assistance of numerous individuals and groups. The surveys were specifically designed to solicit "forced responses" -   that is, no neutral choices were offered.

The student core survey was designed by a sub-committee of the Core Curriculum Committee which included student input.  It was further refined, prepared, and administered by the STAT 510 graduate class.  The survey was given to students in courses offered within each of the university's colleges and at all levels (100 through 400). A total of 1455 undergraduate students participated with nearly equal proportions of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. The results were evaluated by two (2) graduate statistics students.

MSU has been administering an Alumni Survey since 1991 and a Senior Survey since 1995.  Results from these surveys were also incorporated into the self-study process.

The results of these seven (7) surveys are used throughout the Self-Study.

KEEPING THE CAMPUS INFORMED

Apart from the campus input described previously, MSU has had an accreditation Web site since spring 1999 [ http://www.montana.edu/wwwaccr/].  This site includes an introduction to the self-study process, a list of committee members, the NASC Standards printed with permission of NASC, an on-going schedule, surveys and results, an assessment link, and the original Self-Study draft.

The campus at large was invited to participate in the self-study process by reviewing the Self-Study draft.  This draft was posted on the Web as previously noted, a hard copy was given to each dean's office, and two (2) copies were available in the Renne Library.  Feedback was solicited through written correspondence, e-mail, and public forums held for each standard.  Feedback was considered and incorporated as appropriate.

FINAL DRAFT

From the point of the first draft posted on the Web, the Self-Study has gone through many revisions:  

·         Steering Committee members reviewed their Standards after campus input, and made both major and minor changes as required

·         All Standards went through an "internal audit" whereby the Standards were compared with the NASC Handbook requirements

·         Steering Committee members performed a re-write to respond to the internal audit and more closely address the NASC Standard requirements

·         An additional internal audit was performed to make certain all pertinent issues had been addressed

·         Standards were edited for content, then "voiced" to provide reading consistency

·         Standards were technically edited for further consistency

INSTITUTIONAL DISTRIBUTION

Printed copies of the Self-Study will be distributed to the Board of Regents, the President's Executive Council, the offices of the deans, and the Renne Library.  A final copy of the Self-Study will be posted on MSU's Web site by the end of September.  This posting will be announced to all campus constituencies through regular channels.  In addition, the site will contain a full electronic list of appendices and exhibits which supports the Self-Study document.

ROAD MAP THROUGH THIS SELF-STUDY

Following this section is a complete lists of figures, tables, appendices, and exhibits for all Standards.  In addition, a list of abbreviations and acronyms used throughout the Self-Study can be found.

The main body of this Self-Study begins with an introduction which sets the contemporary context for this work; an Executive Summary which  provides an overview of the findings of this Self-Study; and a response to 1990 and 1995 concerns as expressed by visiting evaluators.

The nine (9) Standards follow.  Each Standard includes:

·         An introduction

·         The body of the Standard which addresses the material designated in the NASC handbook

·         A conclusion

·         The list of figures, tables, appendices, and exhibits for that individual Standard

Appendices contain information required or needed to fully understand the Self-Study.  Exhibits, which will be found in the Exhibit Room, provide supporting information for the Self-Study.