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Name of Unit:
Texas
Tech University Center at Junction |
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Date:
August 4, 2004 |
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Section 2: CORE REQUIREMENTS |
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2.1
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The institution has degree-granting authority from the
appropriate government agency or agencies.
(Degree-granting Authority) |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.2
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The institution has a governing board of at least five members
that is the legal body with specific authority over the
institution. The board is an active policy-making body for the
institution and is
ultimately responsible for ensuring that the
financial resources of the institution are adequate to provide a
sound educational program. The board is not controlled by a
minority of board members or
by organizations or interests
separate from it. Neither the presiding officer of the board nor
the majority of other voting members of the board have
contractual, employment, or personal or familial
financial
interest in the institution.
A military institution authorized
and operated by the federal government to award degrees has a
public board in which neither the presiding officer nor a
majority
of the other members are civilian employees of the
military or active/retired military. The board has broad and
significant influence upon the institution’s programs and
operations, plays an active role in
policy-making, and ensures
that the financial resources of the institution are used to
provide a sound educational program. The board is not controlled
by a minority of board members or by organizations
or interests
separate from the board except as specified by the authorizing
legislation. Neither the presiding officer of the board nor the
majority of other voting board members have contractual,
employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the
institution. (Governing Board)
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.3 |
The institution has a chief executive officer whose primary
responsibility is to the institution and who is not the
presiding officer of the board. (Chief Executive
Officer) |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.4
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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.
(Institutional Mission) |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.5
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The institution engages in
ongoing, integrated, and institution-wide research-based
planning and evaluation processes that incorporate a systematic
review of programs and services that (a)
results in continuing
improvement and (b) demonstrates that the institution is
effectively accomplishing its mission.
(Institutional
Effectiveness) |
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Texas Tech University at
Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
TTU Center at Junction
participates in the institutional planning and evaluation processes
including development of a strategic plan for the site, which can be located
at
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hillcountry/junction/fINAL%20Junction%20Strategic%20Plan%204-29-04.pdf,
and filing the 2003 Annual Assessment Report, which can be accessed at
http://www.irs.ttu.edu/SACS/AssessmentReports/33_3325_2003.pdf
.
Assessment findings are
utilized for improvement in planning processes, budgetary and human resource
decision-making, educational and student support services, grant
applications, and auxiliary and facility operations. Recent examples of
assessment activities, findings and use for improvement have been summarized
and are available for review in the academic program office, TTU Center at
Junction.
A comprehensive planning
and assessment process for distance learning and off-campus instruction was
conducted by TTU in 2003-2004; the resulting documentation was submitted to
the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and is located at http://www.irim.ttu.edu/SACS/TTUInstitutionalPlanfinal.pdf. |
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2.6 |
The institution is in
operation and has students enrolled in degree programs.
(Continuous Operation) |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.7 |
The institution |
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2.7.1 |
offers one or
more degree programs based on at least 60 semester credit hours or
the equivalent at the associate level; at least 120 semester credit
hours or the equivalent at the baccalaureate level; or at least 30
semester credit hours or the equivalent at the
post-baccalaureate, graduate, or professional level. The institution
provides a written justification and rationale for program
equivalency. (Program Length) |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.7.2 |
offers degree programs that embody a coherent
course of study that is compatible with its stated purpose and
is based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education.
(Program Content) |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.7.3 |
requires in each undergraduate degree program
the successful completion
of a general education component at the collegiate level that is
(1) a substantial component of each undergraduate degree, (2)
ensures breadth of knowledge, and (3) is based on a coherent
rationale. For degree completion in
associate programs, the component constitutes a minimum of 15
semester hours or the equivalent; for baccalaureate programs, a
minimum of 30 semester
hours or the equivalent. These credit
hours are to be drawn from and include at least one course from
each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts;
social/behavioral sciences; and natural
science/mathematics. The
courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and
procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession.
The institution provides a written
justification and rationale
for course equivalency. (General Education) |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.7.4 |
provides instruction for all course work
required for at least one degree program at each
level at which if awards degree. If the institution
makes arrangements for some
instruction to be provided
by other accredited institutions or entities through contracts
or consortia, or
uses some
other alternative approach to meeting this requirement, the
alternative approach must be approved by the Commission on
Colleges. In all cases, the institution demonstrates that
it controls all aspects of its educational program.
(Contractual Agreements for
Instruction) |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.8 |
The number of full-time faculty members is
adequate to support the mission of the institution. The
institution has adequate faculty resources to ensure the quality
and integrity of its academic
programs. In addition, upon
application for candidacy, an applicant institution demonstrates
that it meets the comprehensive standard for faculty
qualifications.
(Faculty) |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.9. |
The institution, through ownership or formal
arrangements or agreements, provides and supports student and
faculty access and user privileges to adequate library
collections as well as to other
learning/information resources
consistent with the degrees offered. These collections and
resources are sufficient to support all its educational,
research, and public service programs. (Learning
Resources and Services) |
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Texas Tech University at
Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
Library access and user
privileges are provided to faculty and students at TTU Center at Junction.
Further documentation of library services and support for off-campus and
distance learners and faculty can be found at
http://library.ttu.edu/distance/
The Institutional Plan for Distance Education and Off-Campus Instruction
(March 2004) includes further documentation of library support for
off-campus and distance learners; an on-line copy of the Plan is available
at http://www.irim.ttu.edu/SACS/TTUInstitutionalPlanfinal.pdf.
All area public libraries participate in TexShare and provide services to
Texas Tech faculty and students who display a Texas Tech identification card
( www.texshare.edu ). The Junction
Field Research Station provides an extensive scientific collection located
on the Center. TTU submitted to SACS a library assessment report (2002) in
2003, which included a review of TTU at Junction Library resources. |
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| 2.10 |
The institution provides student support
programs, services, and activities consistent with its mission
that promote student learning and enhance the development of its
students. (Student Support Services) |
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Texas Tech University at
Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
Student support programs,
services, and activities are provided to students at TTU Center at Junction.
Documentation of these resources can be found in the Institutional Plan for
Distance Education and Off-Campus Instruction (March 2004); an on-line copy
of the Plan is available at http://www.irim.ttu.edu/SACS/TTUInstitutionalPlanfinal.pdf.
A Coordinator of Student Services, Judy Hickerson, is assigned to off-campus
teaching sites and the TTU Center at Junction to coordinate the delivery of
support services to students at a distance from the main campus. Student
support services are assessed and findings are used for improvement. |
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| 2.11 |
The institution has a sound
financial base and demonstrated financial stability, and
adequate physical resources to support the mission of the
institution and the scope of its programs and services.
The
member institution provides the following financial statements: (a)
an institutional audit (or Standard Review Report issued in
accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and
Review Services issued by the AICPA for those institutions
audited as part of a systemwide or
statewide audit) and written institutional management letter for the most recent
fiscal year
prepared by an independent certified public
accountant and/or an appropriate governmental auditing agency employing the
appropriate audit (or Standard Review Report) guide; (b) a
statement of financial position of unrestricted net assets,
exclusive of plant assets and plant-related debt, which
represents the change in unrestricted net assets attributable to
operations for
the most recent year; and, (c) an annual budget
that is preceded by sound planning, is subject to sound fiscal
procedures, and is approved by the governing board.
Audit
requirements for applicant institutions may be found in the
Commission policy entitled "Accreditation Procedures for
Applicant Institutions.
(Resources) |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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| 2.12 |
The institution
has developed an acceptable Quality Enhancement Plan and
demonstrate that the plan is part of an ongoing planning and
evaluation process. (Quality Enhancement Plan).
(Not
applicable for the Compliance Certification submitted by
institution). |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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Section 3: COMPREHENSIVE STANDARDS |
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Institutional
Mission, Governance, And Effectiveness |
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3.1 Institutional
Mission |
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3.1.1
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The institution
has a clear and comprehensive mission statement that guides it;
is approved
by the governing board; is periodically reviewed by the board;
and is communicated to the
institution’s constituencies. |
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Texas Tech University at
Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
The mission statement for TTU
Center at Junction flows from the institutional mission statement; see
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hillcountry/junction/fINAL%20Junction%20Strategic%20Plan%204-29-04.pdf
for a copy. |
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3.2 Governance and
Administration |
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3.2.1 |
The governing
board of the institution is responsible for the selection and
the evaluation of
the chief executive officer. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.2 |
The legal
authority and operating control of the institution are clearly
defined for the following
areas within the institution’s governance structure: |
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3.2.2.1 |
the institution’s
mission; |
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3.2.2.2 |
the fiscal
stability of the institution; |
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3.2.2.3 |
institutional policy, including policies concerning related
and affiliated corporate
entities and all auxiliary services; |
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3.2.2.4 |
related foundations (athletic, research, etc.) and other
corporate entities whose
primary purpose is to support the institution and/or its
programs. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.3 |
The board has a policy
addressing conflict of interest for its members. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.4 |
The governing board is free
from undue influence from political, religious, or other
external
bodies, and protects the institution from such influence. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.5 |
Members of the governing
board can be dismissed only for cause and by due process. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.6 |
There is a clear and
appropriate distinction, in writing and practice, between the
policy-making
functions of the governing board and the responsibility of the
administration and
faculty to administer and implement policy. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.7 |
The institution
has a clearly defined and published organizational structure
that delineates
responsibility for the administration of policies. |
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Texas Tech University at
Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
The Provost has defined and
published organizational structure of official off-campus educational sites
that is located at
www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/provostorgchart.pdf. |
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3.2.8 |
The institution has
qualified administrative and academic officers with the
experience,
competence, and capacity to lead the institution.
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Texas Tech University at
Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
Academic programs at TTU
Center at Junction are led by the Academic Director, Ashton Thornhill, who
is qualified to lead in the following ways: Professor Thornhill is a tenured
associate professor in Mass Communications. Thornhill taught at TTU Center
at Junction for fifteen years before becoming Academic Director in 1999.
See CV at www.depts.ttu.edu/mcom.
Operations at TTU Center at Junction are led by the Chief Operating Officer,
Robert Hickerson, whose vita is available upon request from the TTU Center
at Junction Administrative Office |
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| 3.2.9 |
The institution
defines and publishes policies regarding appointment and
employment of
faculty and staff.
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.10 |
The institution evaluates
the effectiveness of its administrators, including the chief
executive
officer, on a periodic basis. |
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Texas Tech University at
Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
Personnel at TTU Center at
Junction are evaluated on an annual basis according to TTU personnel policy
(Operating Policy 70.12;
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP70.12.html). Files are maintained
by TTU Human Resources (155 Drane Hall, Texas Tech Campus). Copies are
maintained in the TTU Center at Junction Administrative Office (Bldg A). |
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3.2.11 |
The institution’s
chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for, and
exercises
appropriate administrative and fiscal control over, the
institution’s intercollegiate athletics
program. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.12 |
The institution’s
chief executive officer has ultimate control of the
institution’s fund-raising
activities. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.13 |
Any
institution-related foundation not controlled by the
institution has a contractual or other
formal agreement that (a) accurately describes the relationship
between the institution and
the foundation, and (b) describes any liability associated with
that relationship. In all cases,
the institution ensures that the relationship is consistent with
its mission. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.14 |
The institution’s
policies are clear concerning ownership of materials,
compensation,
copyright issues, and the use of revenue derived from the
creation and production of all
intellectual property. This applies to students, faculty and
staff.
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.3 Institutional
Effectiveness |
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3.3.1 |
The institution
identifies expected outcomes for its educational programs and
its
administrative and educational support services; assesses
whether it achieves these
outcomes; and provides evidence of improvement based on analysis
of those results.
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Texas Tech University at
Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
TTU Center at Junction
participates in the institution’s planning and evaluation processes, which
can viewed at
http://www.ttu.edu/stratplan/universitystratplan.php. In addition, the
Institutional Plan for Distance Education and Off-Campus Instruction (March
2004) provided an opportunity for institution-wide planning and assessment
of off-campus educational sites; this plan is located on-line at http://www.irim.ttu.edu/SACS/TTUInstitutionalPlanfinal.pdf. Identification of expected outcomes for educational programs offered at the
site, assessment and use of findings for improvement are the responsibility
of the respective academic program provided at the site (e.g. M.Ed. in
Education Leadership, B.G.S., Master’s of Art Education); documentation of
this information can be found in the respective academic unit report for the
Certification of Compliance. Identification of expected outcomes for
administrative and educational support services, assessment and use of
findings for improvement is the responsibility of the site leadership. In
order to accomplish this, the Academic Director has: 1) developed a mission
statement, 2) developed a strategic plan to fulfill the mission, 3)
developed and implemented an assessment plan, and 4) documented actions
taken based on analysis of assessment findings. This information is
available at
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hillcountry/junction/fINAL%20Junction%20Strategic%20Plan%204-29-04.pdf.
Longitudinal data is
collected in the Annual Assessment Report beginning with FY 2002
http://techdata.irs.ttu.edu/stratreport/Reports2002/34_0_2002.pdf. |
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PROGRAMS |
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3.4 Educational
Programs
Standards for
All Educational Programs: |
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(Includes all
on-campus, off-campus and distance learning programs) |
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3.4.1
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The institution
demonstrates that each educational program for which academic
credit is
awarded (a) is approved by the faculty and the
administration, and (b) establishes and
evaluates program and learning outcomes. |
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Texas Tech University at
Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
This is the responsibility of
the academic unit offering a program at TTU Center at Junction. Information
can be found in the academic units’ Certification of Compliance responses:
College of Arts and
Sciences (B.G.S.)
http://www.irim.ttu.edu/sacs/CCC/Units/ArtSciComplianceRequirements.htm
College of Education
(M.Ed.)
http://www.irim.ttu.edu/sacs/CCC/Units/EdComplianceRequirements.htm
College of Visual and
Performing Arts (M.A.E.)http://www.irim.ttu.edu/sacs/CCC/Units/CVPAComplianceRequirements.htm |
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3.4.2 |
The institution’s
continuing education, outreach, and service programs are
consistent with
the institution’s mission. |
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Texas
Tech University at Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
Outreach
and Extended Studies has one staff member who provides continuing education,
outreach, and service programs for the Texas hill country region. Programs
include personal enrichment courses offered to community members and
professional development courses for educators and other professional
groups. Course listings can be found at
www.dce.ttu.edu/profdev/HillCountry/ . These programs are consistent
with the institutional mission, Outreach and Extended Studies mission (found
at
www.dce.ttu.edu/accreditation ), and the mission of TTU Center at
Junction. More information can be found at the TTU Center at Junction
web-site (www.depts.ttu.edu/hillcountry/junction),
www.ttu.edu/remote and in the OES response at
www.dce.ttu.edu. |
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3.4.3 |
The institution
publishes admissions policies consistent with its mission. |
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Texas Tech University at
Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
Students attending TTU Center
at Junction are admitted by TTU in the same manner as all other TTU
students. See the Institutional Plan for Distance Education and Off-Campus
Instruction (March 2004) Section 1-6; this plan is located on-line at http://www.irim.ttu.edu/SACS/TTUInstitutionalPlanfinal.pdf. |
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3.4.4 |
The institution has a
defined and published policy for evaluating, awarding, and
accepting
credit for transfer, experiential learning, advanced placement,
and professional certificates
that is consistent with its mission and ensures that course work
and learning outcomes are
at the collegiate level and comparable to the institution’s own
degree programs. The
institution assumes responsibility for the academic quality of
any course work or credit
recorded on the institution’s transcript. |
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Texas Tech University at
Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
Students attending TTU Center
at Junction are covered under TTU policies applicable to all students. See
the Institutional Plan for Distance Education and Off-Campus Instruction
(March 2004) Section 1-7; this plan is located on-line at http://www.irim.ttu.edu/SACS/TTUInstitutionalPlanfinal.pdf. |
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3.4.5 |
The institution publishes
academic policies that adhere to principles of good educational
practice. These are disseminated to students, faculty, and other
interested parties through
publications that accurately represent the programs and services
of the institution. |
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Texas Tech University at
Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
TTU Center at Junction follows
the academic policies that adhere to principles of good educational
practices. These policies are distributed to students, faculty and other
interested parties via the TTU Distance Education Portal, at
http://www.de.ttu.edu.
See also the Institutional
Plan for Distance Education and Off-Campus Instruction (March 2004) Section
1-1; this plan is located on-line at http://www.irim.ttu.edu/SACS/TTUInstitutionalPlanfinal.pdf. |
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3.4.6 |
The institution employs
sound and acceptable practices for determining the amount and
level of credit awarded for courses, regardless of format or
mode of delivery. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.4.7 |
The institution
ensures the quality of educational programs/courses offered
through
consortia relationships or contractual agreements, ensures
ongoing compliance with the
comprehensive requirements, and evaluates the
consortial relationship and/or agreement against
the purpose of the
institution. |
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Texas Tech University at
Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
TTU Center at Junction is not
a party to a formal consortial or contractual agreement. No academic
partnerships have been developed. |
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3.4.8 |
The institution
awards academic credit for course work taken on a noncredit
basis only
when there is documentation that the noncredit course work is
equivalent to a designated
credit experience. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.4.9 |
The institution provides
appropriate academic support services.
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Texas Tech University at
Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
Academic support services are
provided to students attending TTU Center at Junction. These services are
provided by faculty associated with the students’ academic program and
on-site staff.
See the Institutional Plan
for Distance Education and Off-Campus Instruction (March 2004) Section 4-1;
this plan is located on-line at http://www.irim.ttu.edu/SACS/TTUInstitutionalPlanfinal.pdf.
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3.4.10 |
The institution defines and
publishes general education requirements for its undergraduate
programs and major program requirements
for all its programs. These requirements conform to commonly
accepted standards and
practices for degree programs. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.4.11 |
The institution
protects the security, confidentiality, and integrity of its
student academic
records and maintains special security measures to protect and
back up data. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.4.12 |
The institution
places primary responsibility for the content, quality, and
effectiveness of its
curriculum with its faculty. |
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Narrative:
Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.4.13 |
For each major in
a degree program, the institution assigns responsibility for
program
coordination, as well as for curriculum development and review,
to persons academically
qualified in the field. In those degree programs for which the
institution does not identify a
major, this requirement applies to a curricular area or
concentration. |
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Texas
Tech University at Junction is in compliance with this requirement.
Each
academic program offered to students attending TTU Center at Junction has a
faculty program coordinator. The coordinator is listed for each of the
following degree programs:
M.Ed. in
Education Leadership
Dr. Joseph Claudet, Associate Professor, College of Education
M.A.E. in
Art Education
Dr. Dennis Fehr, Associate Professor, College of Visual & Performing Arts
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