Unit: College of Visual and Performing Arts

Date: October 20, 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. Compliance The mission statement of the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) is in accordance with the mission of the university. It is located on p.1 of the CVPA Strategic Plan http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/CGI/framesrv.cgi?loc=mission_strat_plan.shtml and in hard copy form in the Office of the Dean, 224 Administration Building. Mission statements contained in strategic plans for the three units that comprise the CVPA are in accordance with those of the CVPA and the university. School of Art http://www.art.ttu.edu/soa_mission.html -- hard copy located in 101 Art Building; School of Music http://www.depts.ttu.edu/music -- hard copy located in 101 Music Building; and Department of Theatre and Dance http://www.depts.ttu.edu/theatreanddance/mission.htm-- hard copy located in 125 Maedgen Theatre Building. Accrediting associations for all three units of the CVPA, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), made site visits during the 2002-2003 academic year. Visitors Reports from all three associations state that the mission statements of the units are clear and appropriate for a comprehensive research institution with the scope of TTU, that unit activities appear to be carefully linked to the mission, goals and objectives, and that they appear to form the current and future basis for educational and artistic decisions (NASAD, p.4; NASM, p.3; NAST, p.1). Visitors’ reports for each unit are available in the locations noted above.             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. Compliance TTU has recently undergone an extensive strategic planning process throughout the entire university. Established to be an evolutionary, ongoing process with annual assessment reports based on the written strategic plans of all units, the CVPA Strategic Plan along with the strategic plans of its constituent units can be found in the same locations as noted in #2.4 above. Assessment of Texas Tech is web-posted http://www.ttu.edu/stratplan/Assessment.php. Annual assessment reports for the CVPA http://techdata.irs.ttu.edu/stratreport/ and its constituent units are web-available. Hard copies are located in college/school/departmental offices noted in #2.4 above. The planning and evaluation processes are consistent with the mission of TTU, p.2 of the 2003-2004 Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf and with the mission statements of the CVPA and its constituent units, http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/CGI/framesrv.cgi?loc=mission_strat_plan.shtml , http://www.art.ttu.edu/soa_mission.html, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/music, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/theatreanddance/mission.htm. Visitors’ reports from NASAD, NASM, and NAST note favorably the ongoing planning and evaluation processes that have been taking place relative to the university initiatives and to the preparation of the accreditation self-studies of the three units of the CVPA. Each association notes specific initiatives within their respective units and provide additional suggestions for further consideration (NASAD, pp.27-28; NASM, p.22; NAST, p.10).       6. The institution is in operation and has students enrolled in degree programs. Compliance The CVPA census for fall 2002 was 875 undergraduate, 106 masters, 92 doctoral; total of 1073. The CVPA oversees three undergraduate degrees (BA, BFA, BM), five masters degrees (MA, MAE, MFA, MM, MME), and two doctoral degrees (DMA, PhD). Universal quantitative data can be found in assessment reports noted in #5 above.       7. Program Offerings Compliance Undergraduate degree programs in the CVPA range from 120-138 semester credit hours, thereby meeting standard   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. See page 200, 2003-04 Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf     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 programs consist of coherent courses of study compatible with stated purposes and are based on fields of study appropriate to higher education http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/CGI/framesrv.cgi?loc=mission_strat_plan.shtml and (Self Studies for unit accreditation 2002-2003: National Association of Schools of Art and Design <NASAD> Art 101; National Association of Schools of Music <NASM>, MB101; National Association of Schools of Theatre <NAST> UT 125).     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. General education inclusions for undergraduate degree programs in the CVPA range from 44-69 semester hours, depending upon the specific major. Categories included in the Core Curriculum are: communication, mathematics/logic, natural (lab) sciences, technology/applied science, humanities, visual and performing arts, social/behavioral sciences. Courses approved for inclusion in the core curriculum are broadly based for students from all majors across the entire university, pp.44-47, TTU Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf.   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.         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. Partial Compliance Eighty-four full-time faculty members serve approximately 1000 majors in the CVPA in addition to offering the visual and performing arts component in the general education curriculum of the university. All full-time faculty in the CVPA hold appropriate terminal degrees or qualifying experiences that meet the TTU Certification of Faculty Qualifications, OP 32.02, section 2, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP32.02.pdf. The NASAD Visitors Report (p.5) states that the overall numbers of faculty relative to enrollment would suggest that sufficient faculty resources are available to serve the size and scope of the Art program with the exception of Design Communications. The NASM Visitors Report (p.22-23) states that it is not clear that the Master of Music in Music Theory and the Master of Music in Music History programs have sufficient advanced faculty to support those degrees. The NAST Visitors Report (p.1) notes that growth in enrollments of Theatre majors has outpaced that of faculty resources and states (p.3) that the number of faculty is small when compared to the multiplicity of degrees and specializations. In all three visitors’ reports, mention is made regarding perceived heavy teaching loads, loads that could be further exacerbated by increasing enrollments at TTU and in the units of the CVPA. Faculty loads, however, reflect appropriately the TTU Faculty Academic Workload Policy, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP32.18.html. Efforts are underway to study possible load redistribution among existing faculty coupled with requests for additional faculty lines in specific areas of need in all units of the CVPA.       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. Compliance Generally, the TTU main Library supports the mission, objectives, degree programs, and research needs of the units of the CVPA. Additional holdings are housed in the School of Art Visual Resource Center (VRC), of particular note, the slide collection. The NASAD Visitors Report (p.16) notes a certain amount of duplication between the main library, the Art VRC, and the Architecture library. It is suggested that greater cooperative planning should be pursued to enhance resource distribution. The School of Music has a Music Listening Library that houses the collection of sound recordings, multiple scores, and a very small reference collection. The NASM Visitors Report (p.23) states that “Staffing in the University Library does not appear to comply with the standard that the music collection ‘be staffed by qualified personnel sufficient to meet the various needs of the music unit’ (NASM Handbook, p.65, II.G.3).” A new position for a qualified music librarian has been added to the University Library and a search is currently underway to fill that position. The NAST Visitors Report (p.5) states that library holdings and electronic access are sufficient to meet the goals and objectives of the theatre unit.       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. Compliance Student support programs, services, and activities in the CVPA are consistent with the mission of TTU, p.2 of the 2003-2004 Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf, and with the mission statements of the CVPA and its constituent units, http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/CGI/framesrv.cgi?loc=mission_strat_plan.shtml, http://www.art.ttu.edu/soa_mission.html, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/music, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/theatreanddance/mission.htm. A listing of TTU facilities and services is located in the 2003-2004 Catalog, pp. 15-20, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf. The CVPA has two associate deans who work with students (one with undergraduate and the other with graduate students), and an Academic Program Advisor who manages a myriad of issues related to matriculation such as degree audits, graduation checkouts, and other academic matters. Each of the three units in the CVPA has academic advising specialists. All of the units have active student organizations that support and complement the academic mission of the college and the university. The Wall-Gates residence complex houses the Fine Arts Living/Learning Community. The CVPA web site http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/ contains a great deal of information directed toward students both graduate and undergraduate, for current and prospective students, advisement, scholarship opportunities, the Fine Arts Living/Learning Community, calendars and schedules, study programs, plus youth and outreach, among other informational items.       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).   - 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. Compliance TTU publishes its mission statement on p.2 of the printed 2003-2004 Catalog http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf and is appropriate to an institution of higher education. The mission statement of the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) is in accordance with the mission of the university. It is located on p.1 of the CVPA Strategic Plan http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/CGI/framesrv.cgi?loc=mission_strat_plan.shtml and in hard copy form in the Office of the Dean, 224 Administration Building. Mission statements contained in strategic plans for the three units that comprise the CVPA are in accordance with those of the CVPA and the university. School of Art http://www.art.ttu.edu/soa_mission.html -- hard copy located in 101 Art Building; School of Music http://www.depts.ttu.edu/music -- hard copy located in 101 Music Building; and Department of Theatre and Dance http://www.depts.ttu.edu/theatreanddance/mission.htm-- hard copy located in 125 Maedgen Theatre Building. Accrediting associations for all three units of the CVPA, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), made site visits during the 2002-2003 academic year. Visitors Reports from all three associations state that the mission statements of the units are clear and appropriate for a comprehensive research institution with the scope of TTU, that unit activities appear to be carefully linked to the mission, goals and objectives, and that they appear to form the current and future basis for educational and artistic decisions (NASAD, p.4; NASM, p.3; NAST, p.1). Visitors’ reports for each unit are available in the locations noted above.       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. Compliance The organizational structure of TTU is contained in OP 01.08, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP01.08.html. The organizational structure of the CVPA can be found on the web site http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/ under “ADMINISTRATION: College Personnel.” Organizational structures of the three units of the CVPA can be found on their respective web sites: (Art) http://www.art.ttu.edu/, (Music) http://www.depts.ttu.edu/music, and (Theatre & Dance) http://www.depts.ttu.edu/theatreanddance. Detailed narratives of the organizational structure of each of the three units may be found in the self-studies of each respective unit: Art, S-S pp.12-20, 101 Art Building; Music, S-S, pp.11-16, 101 Music Building; Theatre, S-S, pp.9-14, 125 Maedgen Theatre Building as well as in each respective unit’s Faculty Handbook.       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. Compliance Operating policies regarding appointment and employment of faculty and staff include: 32.02 (Certification of Faculty Qualifications), 32.07 (Other Employment, Faculty Consulting, and Public Offices), 32.16 (Faculty Recruitment), 32.17 (Faculty Appointments and Titles), 32.34 (Faculty in Non-Tenure Acquiring Ranks), 70.11 (Staff Employees), 70.27 (Student Employees), 70.36 (Temporary Workers with (H1-B) Immigration Status). The college and its units conform to all university policies.       11. The institution evaluates the effectiveness of its administrators, including the chief executive officer, on a periodic basis. Compliance TTU and the CVPA have evaluation instruments for unit administrators in OP 30.15 http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP30.15.html. The dean of the CVPA reports to the provost and is evaluated annually. Associate deans, unit chair and directors report to and are evaluated annually by the dean. An instrument for faculty evaluation of CVPA unit administrators has been developed and will be implemented in the 2003-2004 academic year. It is located at http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/CGI/framesrv.cgi?loc=ad_assessment.shtml.       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. Compliance The chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for administrative and fiscal control over the institution’s intercollegiate athletics program http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP10.05.pdf.       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. Compliance The means of determining institutional effectiveness are consistent with the mission of TTU, p.2 of the 2003-2004 Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf, and with the mission statements of the CVPA and its constituent units, http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/CGI/framesrv.cgi?loc=mission_strat_plan.shtml, http://www.art.ttu.edu/soa_mission.html, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/music, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/theatreanddance/mission.htm. TTU has recently undergone an extensive strategic planning process throughout the entire university. Established to be an evolutionary, ongoing process with annual assessment reports based on the written strategic plans of all units, the CVPA Strategic Plan along with the strategic plans of its constituent units can be found in the same locations as noted in #4 above. Assessment of Texas Tech is web-posted http://www.ttu.edu/stratplan/Assessment.php. Annual assessment reports for the CVPA http://techdata.irs.ttu.edu/stratreport/ and its constituent units are web-available. Hard copies are located in college/school/departmental offices noted in #4 of the Core Requirements above. Visitors’ reports from NASAD, NASM, and NAST note favorably the ongoing planning and evaluation processes that have been taking place relative to the university initiatives and to the preparation of the accreditation self-studies of the three units of the CVPA. Each association notes specific initiatives within their respective units and provide additional suggestions for further consideration (NASAD, pp.27-28; NASM, p.22; NAST, p.10). Educational Programs   1. Identifies expected outcomes – Program outcomes are identified through a number of sources including the college and unit strategic plans (found at the sites listed directly above), pp. 199-211 of the 2003-2004 Catalog (also listed directly above), as well as in student handbooks and syllabi located in the unit administrative offices. Additionally, unit accreditation self-studies for NASAD, NASM, and NAST contain expected program outcomes, copies of which are located in unit administrative offices. All three units prepared self-studies for site visits for each unit during the 2002-2003 academic year. 2. Assesses whether expected outcomes are achieved – Assessment is done on many levels through formative and summative grading practices in courses, public performances and exhibitions, portfolio reviews, upper level reviews, juries, admission to teacher education reviews, capstone projects, and teacher certification exams. Site visits and subsequent visitors’ reports from the accrediting bodies serve as assessments of expected outcomes. 3. Provides evidence of improvement based on assessment – Evidence of improvement can be noted through longitudinal grade comparisons, written and oral feedback from public performances and exhibitions, results of all review processes, plus student teacher observations and final evaluation forms from cooperating and supervising teachers. Evidence of improvement may additionally be found in unit responses to accreditation visitors’ reports and any progress reports that may be requested, copies of which are located in unit administrative offices. Administrative Services 1. Identifies expected outcomes – Job descriptions and expectations are contained in unit faculty handbooks located in unit administrative offices. In addition, expected outcomes are listed in unit accreditation self-studies, copies of which are located in unit administrative offices. 2. Assesses whether expected outcomes are achieved – The dean of the CVPA reports to the provost and is evaluated annually. Associate deans, unit chair and directors report to and are evaluated annually by the dean. An instrument for faculty evaluation of unit administrators will also be used on an annual basis. Site visits and subsequent visitors’ reports from the accrediting bodies serve as assessments of expected outcomes. 3. Provides evidence of improvement based on assessment – Annual reports and evaluations are reflective of improvements based on assessments. Evidence of improvement may additionally be found in unit responses to accreditation visitors’ reports and any progress reports that may be requested, copies of which are located in unit administrative offices. Educational Support Services 1. Identifies expected outcomes -- Job descriptions and expectations are contained in unit handbooks located in unit administrative offices. In addition, expected outcomes are listed in unit accreditation self-studies, copies of which are located in unit administrative offices. 2. Assesses whether expected outcomes are achieved – College level staff report to and are evaluated annually by the dean. Unit level staff report to and are evaluated annually by unit chair/directors. Site visits and subsequent visitors’ reports from the accrediting bodies serve as assessments of expected outcomes. 3. Provides evidence of improvement based on assessment – Annual evaluations are reflective of improvements based on assessments. Evidence of improvement may additionally be found in unit responses to accreditation visitors’ reports and any progress reports that may be requested, copies of which are located in unit administrative offices.       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.   a. Approved by the faculty and administration. Compliance The approval process for adding, changing, and deleting courses, and changing the method of delivery is found in OP 36.01 http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP36.01.htm. The approval process for new academic programs, course approval for new programs, program termination, and changes in delivery format is found in OP 36.04 http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP36.04.htm. At the college level, the Visual and Performing Arts Committee on Academic Programs (VPA-CAP) administers the review process. The Policies and Procedures of the VPA-CAP can be found at http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/CGI/framesrv.cgi?loc=policy_procedure.shtml. b. Program and learning outcomes. Partial Compliance The establishment and evaluation of program and learning outcomes is partially addressed through the annual assessment reports of the college (hard copy in the CVPA Office of the Dean, 220 AD), and of the three units of the college (Art – 101 ART; Music – 101 MB; Theatre & Dance – 125 UT). In addition, partial compliance is evidenced in MGE #16 above. Evaluations of a few specific programs and learning outcomes need to be further undertaken as per the visitors reports of the three accrediting entities for units represented in the CVPA (NASAD, NASM, NAST) stemming from their site visits during 2002-2003 (copies found in locations cited above). The CVPA and its units are undertaking development of more comprehensive outcomes assessment plans and reporting methods specific to program and learning outcomes.       2. The institution’s continuing education, outreach, and service programs are consistent with the institution’s mission. Compliance All three units offer a variety of continuing education, outreach, and service activities as described in the self-studies of the units (hard copies: Art – 101 Art Building; Music – 101 Music Building; Theatre – 125 Maedgen Theatre Building. School of Art initiatives (S-S pp.59, 71) include a number of recruitment activities on and off campus and throughout the state, workshops and summer sessions on campus and ath the Junction campus, visiting artists and lecturers, and exhibitions arranged by the Landmark Arts Gallery. School of Music activities (S-S pp.58-59, 111-112) include community and civic outreach initiatives, educational outreach with regional public schools and the University Interscholastic League (UIL), festivals, workshops, regional contests, summer music camps, and the Recording Project. Theatre and Dance (S-S pp.41-42, 70-71) is actively involved with University Interscholastic League theatre competitions, Angel Fire Mountain Theatre (New Mexico), Summer Theatre Arts Camp, a number of professional theatre association and festivals, internships with arts organizations, and other partnerships throughout the state and nation. Information regarding other TTU programs can be found in the 2003-2004 Catalog, pp.55-56, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf for the university, and for the CVPA, on p.200. The activities described above are consistent with the mission of TTU, p.2 of the 2003-2004 Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf, and with the mission statements of the CVPA and its constituent units, http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/CGI/framesrv.cgi?loc=mission_strat_plan.shtml, http://www.art.ttu.edu/soa_mission.html, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/music, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/theatreanddance/mission.htm.       3. The institution publishes admissions policies consistent with its mission. Compliance Information on admissions can be found in the 2003-2004 Catalog, pp.21-29, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf for the university, and for the CVPA, p.199-200. Policies within the CVPA are consistent with the mission of TTU, p.2 of the 2003-2004 Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf, and with the mission statements of the CVPA and its constituent units, http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/CGI/framesrv.cgi?loc=mission_strat_plan.shtml, http://www.art.ttu.edu/soa_mission.html, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/music, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/theatreanddance/mission.htm.       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. Compliance Information on evaluating, awarding, and accepting credit outlined in this standard can be found in the 2003-2004 Catalog, pp.21-29, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf for the university, and for the CVPA, p.199-200. Policies within the CVPA are consistent with the mission of TTU, p.2 of the 2003-2004 Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf, and with the mission statements of the CVPA and its constituent units, http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/CGI/framesrv.cgi?loc=mission_strat_plan.shtml, http://www.art.ttu.edu/soa_mission.html, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/music, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/theatreanddance/mission.htm.       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. Compliance 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 CVPA, p.199-200. The policies are consistent with the mission of TTU. Operating Policies 10.01-10.11 (Administration), 30.01-30.27 (General), 32.01-32.34 (Faculty), and 34.01-34.23 (Students) also address academic policies http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       9. The institution provides appropriate academic support services. Compliance A listing of facilities and services is located in the 2003-2004 Catalog, pp. 15-20, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf. The CVPA has two associate deans who work with students (one with undergraduate and the other with graduate students), and an Academic Program Advisor who manages a myriad of issues related to matriculation such as degree audits, graduation checkouts, and other academic matters. Each of the three units in the CVPA has academic advising specialists. Reference holdings in addition to those in the main library are housed in the School of Art Visual Resource Center (VRC), of particular note, the slide collection. The School of Music has a Music Listening Library that houses the collection of sound recordings, multiple scores, and a very small reference collection. All of the units have active student organizations that support and complement the academic mission of the college and the university. The Wall-Gates residence complex houses the Fine Arts Living/Learning Community. The CVPA web site http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/ contains a great deal of information directed toward students both graduate and undergraduate, for current and prospective students, advisement, scholarship opportunities, the Fine Arts Living/Learning Community, calendars and schedules, study programs, plus youth and outreach, among other informational items. Additional academic support can be found on the websites of the college and its units (CVPA) http://www.vpa.ttu.edu/, (Art) http://www.art.ttu.edu/, (Music) http://www.depts.ttu.edu/music, (Theatre & Dance) http://www.depts.ttu.edu/theatreanddance.       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. Compliance Uniform undergraduate degree requirements are located in pp.42-43 of the TTU Catalog http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf, with the Core Curriculum requirements listed in pp.44-47. Program requirements for graduate studies are located in pp.63-69. Requirements specific to the CVPA and its three units are located in pp. 199-211. No mention was made in the Visitors’ Reports of any of the three accrediting bodies about the general education components of the degrees offered through the CVPA. Therefore, it is assumed that all degrees conform to standards for general education of the accrediting bodies. Formal written responses to each of the three Visitors Reports should clear up factual errors and/or misperceptions on the part of the reviewers regarding compliance with academic standards that are noted. Any issues that are indeed not in compliance with standards will be corrected.       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. Compliance TTU keeps student records electronically on TechSIS, which is password protected. The CVPA and each of its three units also maintain student records both electronically and in hard copy format. Student files are located in secure areas with restricted access. TTU adheres to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.       12. The institution places primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of its curriculum with its faculty. Compliance The faculty of the CVPA and each of its units have primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of its curricula. The approval process for adding, changing, and deleting courses, and changing the method of delivery is found in OP 36.01 http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP36.01.htm. The approval process for new academic programs, course approval for new programs, program termination, and changes in delivery format is found in OP 36.04 http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP36.04.htm. Each of the three units of the CVPA are guided by the standards set forth by each respective accrediting organization: Art – NASAD, Music – NASM, Theatre – NAST. The self-studies undertaken by each unit and subsequent site visits by accreditation teams for each unit during 2002-2003 note that the great majority of programs are in compliance with the standards of the accrediting bodies. Programs with discrepancies are being studied to determine if, indeed, some changes must be made to conform to published standards, or if the notations are in error. In any case, no major situations exist that cannot be easily addressed. Self-Studies and Visitors Reports for each unit are located in the units’ respective main offices: Art – Art 101, Music – MB 101, Theatre – UT 125.       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. Compliance By following the process for programs and curriculum development outlined in OP 36.01 and 36.04 cited in #12 above, it is ensured that responsibility for such is assigned to persons academically qualified in each respective field. Those persons responsible for the various programs in the units of the CVPA are listed in Appendix IV, Curricular Tables, of each units’ accreditation self-studies, copies of which are located in the units’ administrative offices. Qualifications of those persons are verified in the Faculty Qualification Spreadsheets prepared for #20 below. 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. Compliance Coursework in technology is required of all undergraduate students as part of the Core Curriculum, pp.44-47 TTU Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf. Upon arrival at TTU, students are given an eRaider account through which to access their technology needs. Each of the three units in the CVPA support specific technology needs relative to students’ courses of study.   1. The institution’s use of technology enhances student learning. School of Art – Instruction in computer technology and artistic applications of this technology is specifically identified in the titles of seven courses. The SOA uses many non-digital and electronic technologies. Virtually every art course involves some for of technology; some are modern and some ancient. Art programs are inherently equipment and technology intensive. School of Music – Student learning is enhanced through technology with the use of two technology labs and a music education resource center. Several courses in the area of music theory and music composition as well as music education make use of the labs for regular class assignments and projects. These projects and assignments in turn provide students with job skills necessary for the classroom or performance (e.g., charting marching band show drills, aural skills, scores for compositions and arrangements). Department of Theatre and Dance – The department utilizes technology in both the classroom and production labs. In design, there is a four-station CAD lab complete with scanner, large format color printer, and E class plotter. Each computer is equipped with current and appropriate software. The department additionally has three digital projectors (two portable) for use in a variety of classrooms. One projector is used in all sections of a cinema course and is attached to a DVD player. Additionally, the department has two portable lap-top computers (one Mac and one PC) to be used with portable projectors. Each performance space is equipped with memory lighting systems (computerized) and digital sound mixing equipment including a dedicated audio computer for mixing sound cues. 2. The use of technology is appropriate for meeting the objectives of its programs. School of Art – The NASAD Visitors’ Report (pp. 13-14) indicates that minimum standards for technological support services are being met but that additional resources in this area are needed. School of Music -- The NASM Visitors’ Report (pp. 8-9) indicates that minimum standards for technological support services are being met but that additional resources in this area are needed. Department of Theatre and Dance -- The NAST Visitors’ Report (p. 5) indicates that minimum standards for technological support services are being met but that additional resources in this area are needed. 3.1. The Institution ensures that students have access to technology. School of Art – The computer lab occupies two classroom spaces which hold 20 stations each and a central spatial unit that contains the entrance, printing equipment, computers for the lab manager and student workers, in addition to a small back room equipped with flatbed and film scanners and digital video editing equipment. Currently, six additional computers have bee purchased for this room to provide work areas for students when the labs are open. A twenty-station Mac Lab in the University Library equipped with software appropriate for use by art majors is also available. School of Music – Computer labs and the Music Education Library are staffed by student workers with supervisory faculty and staff for each lab. Hours of lab availability are posted and maintained, with lab staff available for support purposes. Department of Theatre and Dance – The CAD lab is available to students via keypad entry 24 hours per day. 3.2. The institution ensures that students have training in the use of technology. School of Art -- Instruction in computer technology and artistic applications of this technology is specifically identified in the titles of seven courses. The SOA uses many non-digital and electronic technologies. Virtually every art course involves some for of technology; some are modern and some ancient. Art programs are inherently equipment and technology intensive. School of Music – MUSI 3341, Technology for Musicians, is taken by music majors to satisfy the TTU core requirement for technology. Additional courses that incorporate technology provide training in the use of specific technology for those courses. Department of Theatre and Dance – TH A 3304, Principles of Theatrical Lighting, is taken by theatre and dance majors to satisfy the TTU core requirement for technology. Additional courses that incorporate technology provide training in the use of specific technology for those courses. In addition, the department is developing new courses in computer aided drafting and graphic presentation.     Standards Specific to Undergraduate Programs: 15. The institution identifies college-level competencies within the general education core and provides evidence that graduates have attained those competencies. Compliance Objectives for each of the categories of the TTU Core Curriculum are stated in pp. 44-47 of the TTU Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf. Specific competencies for the courses included in the Core Curriculum are identified and developed by the units responsible for those specific courses. Evidence that graduates have attained those college-level competencies is manifested in the grades that are assigned to students in those courses.       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. Compliance TTU OP 34.09, section 2.a. states the 25% rule http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP34.09.html. The rule is also published on p.42 of the TTU Catalog http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf.       Standards Specific to Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Professional Programs: 17.