Unit: Rawls College of Business

Date: July 18, 2003
 

CORE REQUIREMENTS For every Core Requirement mandating a policy or procedure, it is implicit that the policy or procedure is in writing, approved through appropriate institutional processes, published in appropriate institutional documents accessible to those affected by the policy or procedure, and implemented and enforced by the institution. For obtaining or maintaining accreditation with the Commission on Colleges, an institution must meet the following Core Requirements:   1. The institution has degree-granting authority from the appropriate government agency or agencies.   - Not applicable to unit level.       2. 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.     - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       4. 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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       5. 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. The Rawls College of Business is in compliance with this requirement.   i. The Rawls College participates in the ongoing, integrated TTU-wide research-based planning and evaluation process, also known as the TTU strategic plan. The strategic plan for the college and its academic areas may be found at: http://planassess.ba.ttu.edu/Strategic%20Plan/Strategic%20Plan.asp ii. These and other data are reviewed systematically and result in continuing improvement; see for example the improvement and enrollment management plan for the Rawls College, which is available in the Office of the Associate Dean (BA 103).   iii. The Rawls College is accomplishing its mission and goals as demonstrated in its recent annual report: http://planassess.ba.ttu.edu/Reports/College%20Reports/ANNUAL%20ASSESSMENT%20REPORT%202002a.doc.       6. The institution is in operation and has students enrolled in degree programs.   - Not applicable to unit level.       7. Degree programs The Rawls College is in compliance with all requirements 7.a. -7.d   a. 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. The Rawls College has: One baccalaureate degree that requires 120 semester credit hours. A Master of Science in Business Administration, which requires a minimum of 36 hours. A Master of Science in Accounting, which requires a minimum of 36 hours. A Master of Business Administration, which requires a minimum of 48 hours. Integrated undergraduate and graduate programs involving a minimum of 150 total hours. A doctoral program requiring 60 hours of coursework plus dissertation hours.   b. 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. All of the programs meet the AACSB standards for curricula, which include a coherent set of requirements for the courses of study. http://www.aacsb.edu/accreditation/standards.asp. The college curriculum was reviewed during 2002-03 by AACSB International and the Site Review Team Report (date) from that review is available in the office of the Associate Dean of the Rawls College.   c. Offers a general education program 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. The Rawls College complies with the university-wide general education requirement as found in the TTU University Catalog.     d. Makes arrangements for some instruction to be provided by other accredited institutions or entities through contracts or consortia, where appropriate. The institution itself, however, provides instruction for all course work required for at least one degree program at each level at which it awards degrees, or provides an alternative approach to meeting this requirement. The alternative approach is approved by the Commission on Colleges. In all cases, the institution demonstrates that it controls all aspects of its educational program. The Rawls College controls all aspects of its degree programs, except for joint programs with other programs on campus. The college also participates in an agreement with Universidad Annahuac. The agreement with Universidad Anuahac has been reviewed and approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as per a letter from James T. Rogers, Executive Director on May 27, 2003.       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. The Rawls College is in partial compliance with this requirement. The compliance level is noted in the AACSB Site Review Team report and the final letter of the Business Accreditation Committee. Both of these reports are in the office of the Associate Dean of the Rawls College of Business (BA103). The college in not in full compliance because the enrollment is too large in comparison with the faculty size. The college has a plan to get into compliance, as required by the AACSB accrediting agency. The document is titled “Instructional Resource Plans 2004-09” and may be found in the Office of the Associate Dean of the Rawls College of Business (BA 103).       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. The Rawls College is in compliance with this requirement. The library holdings were sufficient to meet AACSB International standards in the college recent review.       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. The Rawls College is in compliance with this requirement. The college has the following: Undergraduate Services Center http://undergrad.ba.ttu.edu/current_map.asp Graduate Services Center http://grad.ba.ttu.edu/GSChome.asp Business Academic Computing Services http://bacs.ba.ttu.edu/ Communications Skills Center http://comskillscenter.ba.ttu.edu/ International Programs Office http://ibs.ba.ttu.edu/ Career Management Center http://www.rawlsbusiness.ba.ttu.edu/studentplacement/studentplacement.asp A pamphlet on numerous student groups is available in BA 201.       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 institution provides the following financial statements: (a) an institutional audit (as distinct from a systemwide or statewide audit) and management letter for the most recent fiscal year prepared by an independent certified public accountant or an appropriate auditing agency employing the appropriate audit guide; (b) an annual budget that is preceded by sound planning, is subject to sound fiscal procedures, and is approved by the governing board; and (c) a schedule of changes in unrestricted net assets, excluding plant and plant related-debt (short and long-term debt attached to physical assets). The Rawls College is in compliance with this requirement. Routes of compliance: Support for faculty and departmental expenses from the university Contributions from alumni. Programs and operations of the Center for Professional Development. a. Institutional Audit: The Rawls College was last audited during Spring and Summer 2003 by the Internal Audit staff of the university. b. Annual Budget: The annual budget of the Rawls College is prepared by the Assistant Dean for Finance. The budget is reviewed and approved by the Office of the Provost. c. Changes in Net Assets: Not applicable to unit level.     COMPREHENSIVE STANDARDS For every Comprehensive Standard mandating a policy or procedure, it is implicit that the policy or procedure is in writing, approved through appropriate institutional processes, published in appropriate institutional documents accessible to those affected by the policy or procedure, and implemented and enforced by the institution. For obtaining or maintaining accreditation with the Commission on Colleges, an institution must meet the following Comprehensive Standards:   Institutional Mission, Governance, And Effectiveness Institutional Mission 1. 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. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. The mission for the Rawls College may be found at: http://planassess.ba.ttu.edu/Strategic%20Plan/Mission.asp The mission of the college was reviewed and approved as part of the strategic plan by the TTU Board of Regents at their regular meeting of December 2001.       Governance and Administration 2. The governing board of the institution is responsible for the selection and the evaluation of the chief executive officer.   - Not applicable to unit level.       3. The legal authority and operating control of the institution are clearly defined for the following areas within the institution’s governance structure:   a. the institution’s mission;   b. the fiscal stability of the institution;   c. institutional policy, including policies concerning related and affiliated corporate entities and all auxiliary services;   d. related foundations (athletic, research, etc.) and other corporate entities whose primary purpose is to support the institution and/or its programs.   - Not applicable to unit level.       4. The board has a policy addressing conflict of interest.   - Not applicable to unit level.       5. The governing board is free from undue influence from political, religious, or other external bodies, and protects the institution from such influence.   - Not applicable to unit level.       6. Members of the governing board can be dismissed only for cause and by due process.   - Not applicable to unit level.       7. 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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       8. The institution has a clearly defined and published organizational structure that delineates responsibility for the administration of policies. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. Before the review of the college by AACSB International during 2002-03, the Rawls College was only in partial compliance with this requirement on delineation of duties. Both the Peer Review Team Report and the Business Accreditation Committee letter adressed this issue (available in BA 103). This issue has since been adressed in the college’s response (report of November 1, 2003). The Rawls College of Business orgnization and organizational duties may be found in the document “Organization” available in the office of the Associate Dean (BA 103). 9.-10. Not applicable to the unit or area level.       9. The institution has qualified administrative and academic officers with the experience, competence, and capacity to lead the institution.   - Not applicable to unit level.       10. The institution defines and publishes policies regarding appointment and employment of faculty and staff.   - Not applicable to unit level.       11. The institution evaluates the effectiveness of its administrators, including the chief executive officer, on a periodic basis. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. The Dean reports to the Provost and is evaluated annually. (Need documentation.) All college administrators of the college report to and are evaluated annually by the Dean. (Need documentation). Area Coordinators are also evaluated by the tenure track faculty of their respective areas. (Need documentation.).       12. The institution’s chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for, and exercises appropriate administrative and fiscal control over, the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program.   - Not applicable to unit level.       13. The institution’s chief executive officer has ultimate control of the institution’s fund-raising activities.   - Not applicable to unit level.       14. An 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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       15. 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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       Institutional Effectiveness 16. 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. The Rawls College of Business is in compliance with this standard. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES: Each of the academic programs has expected outcomes, assessments, and evidence of improvement as can be found in “Program Assessment Measures and Initiatives” of January 10, 2003 found in (BA 103). The BBA and MBA programs and educational support services are assessed using national assessment tools (Educational Benchmarking, Inc.) For benchmarking, the college uses the national average for a peer set of institutions. For undergraduate and masters programs and support services, the college uses local assessment tools and as a benchmark has a criterion of “above average,” on 5 or 6 point Likert scales. As an example and evidence of improvement based on the analysis of these results, improvements were made to advising, computer facilities, placement, and class size; see page 16 of “Program Assessment Measures and Initiatives” of January 10, 2003 found in (BA 103). ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES: Administrative services are assessed annually by the Dean and the Assistant Dean for Finance. Corrections are made as necessary to improve the operations of the college. For example, recent improvements include the centralization of computer and building maintenance for the college. See Bob Rhoades (BA 104).       PROGRAMS Educational Programs Standards for All Educational Programs: 1. The institution demonstrates that each educational program for which academic credit is awarded is (a) is approved by the faculty and the administration, and (b) establishes and evaluates program and learning outcomes. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard.     a. New Programs follow a set procedure, originating from the faculty and approved by administration, as documented in the Operating Procedures Manual of the Rawls College, which may be found in the Office of the Associate Dean (BA 103).     b. The Rawls College has established and assessed desired program and learning outcomes for each of the five degree programs: BBA, MBA, MS, MSA, and PhD, as detailed in the document “Program Assessment Measures and Initiatives” (January 10, 2003), available in BA 103.       2. The institution’s continuing education, outreach, and service programs are consistent with the institution’s mission. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. The Rawls College provides the following continuing education, outreach, and service programs as part of its mission (http://planassess.ba.ttu.edu/Strategic%20Plan/Mission.asp “Provides service to our educational and professional communities”):     i. The Entrepreneurship program provides service and outreach to local businesses.   ii. Student organizations, such as Beta Alpha Psi, provide outreach through the Meals on Wheels program and VITA (Volunteers in Tax Assistance to those not able to afford tax preparation assistance).   iii. The Chief Executives Roundtable is a program that reaches the local business community providing them with nationally known speakers and opportunities to interact with students.   iv. Banking School provides continuing education to community bankers from the surrounding region.   v. Texas Tech Tax Institute provides continuing tax education to CPAs as required by Texas state law.   vi. School of Governmental Finance provides continuing education to municipal and local finance officers.   vii. Annual Update for Municipal Finance Officers (Professor Robert Freeman).   viii. The Management and Executive Education office provides courses and materials for on-site and off-site continuing education in business and management for people in the Lubbock and wider communities.       3. The institution publishes admissions policies consistent with its mission. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. The Rawls College admissions policies for undergraduate and graduate programs are published in the 2003-04 Texas Tech University Catalog (pages 21-29, 148, and 149). Additional published policies may be found on the web, for example for the MBA: http://mba.ba.ttu.edu/MBA/MBA_Application/MBA_Application_Process.asp The college’s admissions policies are consistent with the university mission which states that Texas Tech “provides the highest standards of excellence in higher education, [and] fosters intellectual and personal development.”       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. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. The Rawls College follows university policy with respect to credit for transfer (2003-04 Texas Tech University Catalog, pp. 21-22) with college specific requirements stated at page 148.       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. The Rawls College is in partial compliance with this standard. Information on academic policies can be found in the 2003-2004 Catalog, pp.47-52, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf for the university, and for the Rawls College, p.145. Curricula of the Rawls College were recently reviewed by AACSB International. Compliance comments may be found in the AACSB International Peer Review Team Report (February 9, 2003), which may be found in BA 103. All programs were found to generally be in conformance with commonly accepted standards and practices for business education with one exception (see p. 5), which is the reason for claiming partial compliance. The Peer Review Committee recommended establishing a process to assure that infused material regarding international business, ethics and so forth represents a logical and comprehensive review. This issue has been directed to the Undergraduate Programs Committee and a successful resolution is expected within five years.       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. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. The Rawls College offers all courses with traditional modes of delivery and formats giving traditional credit with the exception of courses in the Physician’s MBA, which are taught in an executive format, and courses taught by Universidad Anahuac in the Joint MBA program with that university. The college followed the following process for the Physician’s MBA program, which we believe to be sound and acceptable. The program was proposed by faculty members to the college graduate faculty committee, which approved it. The program was approved by vote of the college graduate faculty. The program was reviewed by the Dean of the Graduate School. The program was reviewed by the Associate Provost. The program was reviewed and approved by the Provost (document available in the Office of the Associate Dean (BA 103). The process for the joint Anahuac program we believe to be sound. We followed the same process, except we additionally had this program reviewed by the Graduate Council, Academic Council, Board of Regents, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (see Rawls response to Core Requirement 7d).       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 agreement against the purpose of the institution. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. See the discussion in 6 immediately above, and also the response to Core Requirement 7d.       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. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. The Rawls College does not give academic credit for noncredit course work.       9. The institution provides appropriate academic support services.   The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. The college has the following: Undergraduate Services Center http://undergrad.ba.ttu.edu/current_map.asp Graduate Services Center http://grad.ba.ttu.edu/GSChome.asp Business Academic Computing Services http://bacs.ba.ttu.edu/ Communications Skills Center http://comskillscenter.ba.ttu.edu/ International Programs Office http://ibs.ba.ttu.edu/.         10. The institution defines and publishes general education and major program requirements for all its programs. These requirements conform to commonly accepted standards and practices for undergraduate programs as well as graduate and post-baccalaureate professional degree programs. The Rawls College is in partial compliance with this standard. For the undergraduate program, the general education and major requirements are published at pages 145-154 of the 2003-04 Texas Tech University Catalog.   For the graduate program, some of the details are published at pages 149-150 of the 2003-04 Texas Tech University Catalog. The remaining details may be accessed by program at http://mba.ba.ttu.edu/MBA/MBA_Current/MBA_Concentrations_C.asp http://ms.ba.ttu.edu/MSBA/MSBA_Current/MSBA_Concentrations_C.asp http://msa.ba.ttu.edu/MSA/MSA_Current/MSA_Concentrations_C.asp http://phd.ba.ttu.edu/PHd/PHd_Current/PHd_Concentrations_C.asp The curricula of the Rawls College were recently reviewed by AACSB International. Compliance comments may be found in the AACSB International Peer Review Team Report (February 9, 2003), which may be found in BA 103. All programs were found to generally be in conformance with commonly accepted standards and practices for business education with one exception (see p. 5), which is the reason for claiming partial compliance. The Peer Review Committee recommended establishing a process to assure that infused material regarding international business, ethics and so forth represents a logical and comprehensive review. This issue has been directed to the Undergraduate Programs Committee and a successful resolution is expected within five years.       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. The requirement is not applicable at the area or unit level.       12. The institution places primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of its curriculum with its faculty. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. Responsibility for the content, quality and effectiveness of the curriculum is assigned to faculty committees and faculty program coordinators/directors as follows: The undergraduate core is the responsibility of the Undergraduate Programs Committee and the BBA Program Coordinator. The undergraduate major curricula is the responsibility of the respective discipline faculties, such as the Accounting Major is the responsibility of the Area of Accounting faculty, etc. MBA by the MBA Program Committee, MSA by the Professional Programs Committee in the Area of Accounting MS by Area faculty committees. PhD by Area faculty committees.       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. The Rawls College is in partial compliance with this standard. All majors, concentrations, and curricular areas in all degree programs are the responsibility of academically qualified faculty, except for one small undergraduate major. The Petroleum Land Management major in the BBA degree program is now led by a faculty member with a Doctor of Jurisprudence and work experience in the field, but who does not hold a Ph.D. Note that the PLM major represents only 15 students out of about 4,600 BBA students. 14. The institution’s use of technology enhances student learning, is appropriate for meeting the objectives of its programs, and ensures that students have access to and training in the use of technology. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. The Rawls College ensures that all students have access to technology and training. The college has: 15 fully functional multi-media classrooms four specialized computer labs, Internet access in every classroom and most student spaces in the building. For further details, see page IN-3 ff. of Vol. I of the Rawls College of Business Self Evaluation Report (August 1, 2002). Student assessment of technology and training may be found in Program Assessment Measures and Initiatives (January 10, 2003). For example, for the undergraduate program, see page 8       Standards Specific to Undergraduate Programs: 15. The institution identifies competencies within the general education core and provides evidence that graduates have attained those college-level competencies. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. The Rawls College complies with the university rules in this matter.       16. The institution awards degrees only to those students who have earned at least 25 percent of the credit hours required for the degree through instruction offered by that institution. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. The Rawls College complies with the university rules in this matter.       Standards Specific to Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Professional Programs: 17. The institution’s post-baccalaureate professional degree programs, and its master’s and doctoral degree programs are progressively more advanced in academic content than undergraduate programs. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. AACSB International reviewed all programs found no problems in this regard. See AACSB Peer Review Committee Report (February 9, 2003), available in the office of the Associate Dean, BA103.       18. The institution ensures that its graduate instruction and resources foster independent learning, enabling the graduate to contribute to a profession or field of study. The Rawls college is in compliance with this standard. Graduates of the Rawls college graduate programs have successfully contributed to the business world and academia as MBA’s, MS’s, and Ph.D.’s; placement data are available from the office of the Associate Dean, Room 103.       19. The majority of credits toward a graduate or a post-baccalaureate professional degree is earned through the institution awarding the degree. In the case of graduate and post- baccalaureate professional degree programs offered through joint, cooperative, or consortia arrangements, the student earns a majority of credits from the participating institutions. The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. The Rawls College complies with the university rules in this matter.         Faculty 20. The institution employs competent faculty members qualified to accomplish the mission and goals of the institution. When determining acceptable qualifications of its faculty, an institution gives primary consideration to the highest earned degree in the discipline in accord with the guidelines listed below. The institution also considers competence, effectiveness, and capacity, including, as appropriate, undergraduate and graduate degrees, related work experiences in the field, professional licensure and certifications, honors and awards, continuous documented excellence in teaching, or other demonstrated competencies and achievements that contribute to effective teaching and student learning outcomes. For all cases, the institution is responsible for justifying and documenting the qualifications of all its faculty. Credential Guidelines: a. Faculty teaching general education courses at the undergraduate level: a doctoral or a master’s degree in the teaching discipline or a master’s degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline). b. Faculty teaching associate degree courses designed for transfer to a baccalaureate degree: a doctoral or a master’s degree in the teaching discipline or a master’s degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (a minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline). c. Faculty teaching associate degree courses not designed for transfer to the baccalaureate degree: a baccalaureate degree in the teaching discipline, or an associate degree and demonstrated competencies in the teaching discipline. d. Faculty teaching baccalaureate degree courses: a doctoral or a master’s degree in the teaching discipline or a master’s degree with a concentration in the teaching discipline (minimum of 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline). At least 25 percent of the discipline course hours in each undergraduate major are taught by faculty members holding the terminal degree–usually the earned doctorate--in the discipline. e. Faculty teaching graduate and post-baccalaureate course work: earned doctorate/ terminal degree in the teaching discipline or a related discipline. f. Graduate teaching assistants: master’s in the teaching discipline or 18 graduate semester hours in the teaching discipline, direct supervision by a faculty member experienced in the teaching discipline, regular in-service training, and planned and periodic evaluations.     The Rawls College is in compliance with this standard. The Rawls College has compiled a “snapshot” spreadsheet of all instructors for regular classes taught in Fall 03, following the SACS recommended format. This spreadsheet is available from the chair of the SACS compliance team, Dr. Peter Westfall, and from the chair of SACS re-affirmation of accreditation team, Dr. Gary Elbow. According to this spreadsheet, the Rawls College is in compliance with the standard: a: No faculty in the Rawls college teach general education courses. b,c,d: All faculty teaching undergraduate courses have at least a Master’s degree with 18 graduate semester hours in an appropriate discipline, with the following exceptions: Schiermeyer,… More than 25 percent of the hours for each discipline are taught by faculty with the doctorate. e,f: All faculty teaching graduate-level courses have earned doctoral degrees (or equivalent, in the case of the J.D. degrees for those teaching business law) in the appropriate discipline. In addition, ongoing data on instructor qualifications are routinely kept for the purposes of maintaining ongoing AACSB accreditation, and are available from the Associate Dean in room 103, BA.       21. The institution regularly evaluates the effectiveness of each faculty member in accord with published criteria, regardless of contractual or tenured status. The Rawls College is in Compliance with this Standard TTU regularly evaluates the effectiveness of each faculty member in accordance with published criteria. Performance evaluation of faculty is detailed in OP 32.32, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP32.32.html, and comprehensive performance evaluation of tenured faculty members and faculty members who receive an academic promotion is detailed in OP 32.31, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP32.31.html. The Rawls College evaluates faculty annually in accordance with these principles. The college has developed a linear-programming algorithm to optimize faculty contribution in the areas of research, teaching and service, allowing a degree of specialty. Details of the process are available from the Associate dean, room 103. In addition, the college evaluates untenured faculty according to the university’s guidelines, details are available in each area’s administrative office.       22. The institution provides evidence of ongoing professional development of faculty as teachers, scholars, and practitioners. The Rawls College is in Compliance with this Standard The college annually tabulates and disseminates to all faculty research output by area, showing consistent, sustained, research output. Data are available in the office of the Associate Dean, room 103. Additionally, the college has 10 members of its faculty in the Texas Tech Teaching Academy, evidence of sustained development as teachers.       23. The institution ensures adequate procedures for the safeguard and protection of academic freedom. The Rawls College is in Compliance with this Standard The Rawls College complies with university-level mandates concerning protection of academic freedom, see p. 33 of the faculty handbook.       24. The institution publishes policies on the responsibility and authority of faculty in academic and governance matters. The Rawls College is in Compliance with this Standard The Rawls college complies with university-level mandates in this regard. TTU OP 32.06, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP32.06.html, Faculty Responsibility, outlines expectations in the areas of teaching, research and creative activity, and service. Faculty governance procedures may be found in the by laws for the faculty senate, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/senate/.       Library and Other Learning Resources 25. The institution provides facilities, services, and other learning/information resources that are appropriate to support its teaching, research, and service mission.     - Not applicable to unit level.       26. The institution ensures that users have access to regular and timely instruction in the use of the library and other learning/information resources.     - Not applicable to unit level.       27. The institution provides a sufficient number of qualified staff--with appropriate education or experiences both in library or other learning/information resources–to accomplish the mission of the institution.       Student Affairs and Services 28. The institution publishes a clear and appropriate statement of student rights and responsibilities and disseminates the statement to the campus community.       29. The institution protects the security, confidentiality, and integrity of its student records.       30. The institution provides services supporting its mission with qualified personnel to ensure the quality and effectiveness of its student affairs programs.     - Not applicable to unit level.       RESOURCES Financial and Physical Resources 1.