Unit: Honors College

Date: August 29, 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 Honors College is in compliance with this requirement.   i. The Honors 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 is found at: http://www.honr.ttu.edu/strategicplan/ ii. These and other data are reviewed systematically and result in continuing improvement; see for example, the Honors College Strategic Planning Assessment Report’s Goal 2, which shows Honors course evaluation average of 4.49 on 5 point scale, and the significant increases in student and faculty participation in the Undergraduate Research Fellowship program, among other achievements. iii. The Honors College is accomplishing its mission and goals as demonstrated in its recent Strategic Planning Assessment Report: http://techdata.irs.ttu.edu/stratreport/Reports2002/13_0_2002.pdf.       6. The institution is in operation and has students enrolled in degree programs.   - Not applicable to unit level.       7. The institution 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 Honors College is in compliance with this requirement. The Honors College has: One baccalaureate degree that requires at least 120 semester credit hours (Natural History & Humanities 133 hours). In addition, the Honors College has received university governing board approval for a second degree, with approval pending before the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, requiring 133 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. The Honors College is in compliance with this requirement. While there is no Honors-specific accrediting agency, both of the degree programs meet institutional and state requirements.     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 Honors College is in compliance with this requirement. The Honors College complies with the university-wide general education requirement as found in the TTU University Catalog. The Honors College’s degrees emphasize breadth of education, as well as in its individual HONS courses, which are often interdisciplinary in nature. (All HONS course descriptions are on file in the Honors College located in McClellan Hall.) Furthermore, each Honors course section of a disciplinary course is limited to no more than 25 students, which fosters discussion and other learning activities that enhance breadth.   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 Honors College is in compliance with this requirement. The Honors College controls all aspects of its degree programs but works in partnership with other institutional units to offer coursework for its multidisciplinary programs.       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 Honors College is in compliance with this requirement. In addition to having 3 full time faculty, the Honors College has two 60-40% joint appointments (one with the Department of Physics with a 60% physics-40% Honors appointment; another with the Department of Geosciences (60% Honors-40% Geosciences [although this appointment is the Interim President, so teaching load is lower than the appointment percentages would indicate]. Finally, the Dean and Associate Dean of Honors also teach Honors-specific courses. Beyond Honors-specific lines, the College pays stipends or additional compensation as appropriate to departments or other units offering Honors courses, with more than 80 sections of courses being offered as Honors-specific departmental or interdisciplinary courses each fall and spring semester.       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 Honors College is in compliance with this requirement.       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 Honors College is in compliance with this requirement. The college has the following: Honors holistic advisement every fall and spring semester for every Honors student, plus assistance to non-Honors students taking Honors courses or working with any Honors program. (Holistic advisement includes both advisement for course selection, as well as advisement related to international study opportunities, volunteer and service opportunities, competitive scholarship and fellowships, extracurricular activities, and personal assistance.) Honors First-Year Experience program for all incoming Honors freshmen (see http://www.honr.ttu.edu) Honors Computer lab with 6 workstations HON, the Honors student organization, is supported both financially and through staff advising assistance. The Next One literary and artistic journal is supported both financially and through staff advising assistance.       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 Honors College is in compliance with this requirement. The annual budget of the Honors College is prepared by the Dean of the Honors College. The budget is reviewed and approved by the Office of the Provost.         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 Honors College is in compliance with this standard. The mission for the Honors College is found at: http://www.honr.ttu.edu/strategicplan/ 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 Honors College is in compliance with this standard. The Honors College organization and organizational duties may be found in the document “Organizational Chart” available in the office of the Associate Dean (MM 202).       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 Honors College is in compliance with this standard. The Dean reports to the Provost and is evaluated annually. All administrative staff of the college report to and are evaluated annually by the Associate Dean or Dean as appropriate.       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 Honors College is in compliance with this standard. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES: Each of the academic degree programs has expected outcomes and assessments, as outlined in Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board materials submitted with both the Natural History & Humanities degree and Honors Arts and Letters degree (approved in December 2003 by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board). This documentation is also on file with the Honors Associate Dean (MM 202). Assessments of all goals of the Honors College Strategic Plan are articulated alongside the goals. See http://www.honr.ttu.edu/strategicplan/. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES: The Honors budget and Honors physical facilities have both changed dramatically very recently, so continuous evaluation of administrative services by the Dean and Associate Dean has been essential. Corrections are made as necessary to improve the operations of the college.       PROGRAMS Educational Programs Standards for All Educational Programs: 1. The institution demonstrates that each educational program for which academic credit is awarded is (a) approved by the faculty and the administration, and (b) establishes and evaluates program and learning outcomes. Honors is in compliance with 1a-1b.     1a. Approval by the faculty and administration. The Honors College’s Natural History & Humanities degree has a curriculum committee which approves any degree program changes. Changes recommended by the committee are then forwarded for University approval. The university’s approval process for adding, changing, and deleting courses is found in OP 36.01 ( http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP36.01.htm ). The approval process for new academic programs and course approval for new programs is found in OP 36.04 ( http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP36.04.htm ). Honors follows both policies in the creation or change of its courses or programs. The new Honors Arts & Letters degree (approved December 2003 by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board) will also have a curriculum committee to approve program changes.     1b. Program and learning outcomes. The Honors College’s degree programs have clearly established program outcomes as outlined in both degree programs’ materials for University approval and Coordinating Board approval. These documents are on file in the Associate Dean’s office (MM 202). In addition, most individual courses that are controlled by Honors within the degrees have specific learning outcomes as outlined in course syllabi on file in the Administrative Director’s office (MM 104). Each Honors-controlled course is evaluated every semester through a specific Honors-administered evaluation instrument.       2. The institution’s continuing education, outreach, and service programs are consistent with the institution’s mission. The Honors College’s outreach and service programs are squarely within the University’s mission as they are primarily academically related and are components of academic courses. For example, recent outreach/service components included public astronomy viewings for students at a local elementary school as a course project for ASTR 1300-H01; chemistry magic shows at local elementary schools as a course project for HONS 2306; environmental service work (planting cottonwood trees in riparian habitats and digging burrowing owl tunnels for displaced owls) as a course project for HONS 3302; and creation of marketing/PR plans for local non-profit organizations as a course project for PR 4300-H01.       3. The institution’s continuing education, outreach, and service programs are consistent with the institution’s mission. The Honors College is in compliance. Information on the University’s admissions policies is published in the 2003-2004 University Catalog, pp.21-29 ( http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf ). Policies for admission to the Honors College for students seeking Honors degrees are consistent with TTU policies and the University mission; policy for admission to the Honors College for students seeking Honors transcript and diploma designations are also consistent with these policies. Honors-specific standards are published in the 2003-2004 University Catalog at p. 83 ( http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf ).       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 Honors College is in compliance. Honors practices with regard to evaluation, award, and acceptance of credit are in compliance with University policies and mission. Honors accepts for Honors-specific credit courses taken at other accredited honors programs as outlined in the Honors Student Handbook at http://www.honr.ttu.edu/Award%20Of%20Honors%20Credit.       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 Honors College is in compliance. The University’s academic policies, which adhere to principles of good educational practice, are disseminated to students, faculty, and other interested parties through the University Catalog, pp. 47-52 ( http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf ). Honors College information can be found on p. 83 ( http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf ) and in the Honors Student Handbook at http://www.honr.ttu.edu/sh03_03 Award%20Of%20Honors%20Credit.       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. The Honors College is in compliance. The Honors College provides significant academic support to its students, as well as to students throughout the University, in the forms of advising and counseling. See http://www.honr.ttu.edu/answers.html - *%20What%20are%20some%20of%20the%20speci and http://www.honr.ttu.edu/sh03_04.htm - RIGHTS,%20PRIVILEGES,%20BENEFITS,%20OPPO.       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 Honors College is in compliance. The Honors College provides specific information regarding the Natural History & Humanities major in the University Catalog on page 84 ( http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf ) and on its website at http://www.honr.ttu.edu/NHH/descrip.html.       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 Honors College is in compliance. Texas Tech University maintains electronic student records through a secure, password-protected mainframe system. The Honors College maintains paper files in a secure area in McClellan Hall.       12. The institution places primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of its curriculum with its faculty. The Honors College is in compliance. The Honors College places responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of its curricula with its faculty, and, as appropriate for its interdisciplinary programs, with faculty from other academic units around the University. For example, the Natural History & Humanities degree’s curriculum committee is composed of faculty from the Honors College itself, as well as faculty from areas which contribute significantly to the degree, including English, biology, and history, among others.       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 Honors College is in compliance. The Honors Colleges places responsibility for programs and curriculum development with faculty who are academically qualified in appropriate fields. The unique interdisciplinary nature of the two Honors degrees dictates that faculty involved within the degree programs have experience in several areas. All faculty lines within the Honors College are occupied by faculty with appropriate terminal degrees. Qualifications for each Honors faculty are outlined in the Faculty Qualification information in item 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. The Honors College is in compliance. The University’s Core Curriculum requires technological proficiency as demonstrated through specific coursework (see pp. 44-47 of the University Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf ). 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. 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 of the courses included in Core Curriculum are identified and developed by the departments 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. The Honors College is in compliance. TTU OP 34.09, section 2a states the 25% rule http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP34.09.htm. 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. 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 Honors College is in compliance. Primary responsibility for the academic content of these programs resides at the department level with oversight at the college and institutional levels. Requirements reflecting advanced academic content are found in the TTU Catalog, pp. 65-69, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf. Additionally, specific information is located in each of the departmental offices.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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 Honors College is in compliance. All full-time faculty in the Honors College 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.       21. The institution regularly evaluates the effectiveness of each faculty member in accord with published criteria, regardless of contractual or tenured status. The Honors College is in compliance. 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.       22. The institution provides evidence of ongoing professional development of faculty as teachers, scholars, and practitioners. The Honors College is in compliance. Each faculty member submits an annual report of activities as per OP 32.32, section 3.a, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual?OP32.32.html. TTU provides for leaves of absences, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP32.15.html, and for development leaves, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP32.29.html. Departments allow faculty to attend professional meetings for purposes of professional development.       23. The institution ensures adequate procedures for the safeguard and protection of academic freedom. The Honors College is in compliance. TTU faculty members are assured of academic freedom as stated in the Faculty Handbook, p. 33 http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/FacultyHB.pdf.       24. The institution publishes policies on the responsibility and authority of faculty in academic and governance matters. The Honors College is in compliance. 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 university, community and professional service. It also allows for faculty to have authority in their respective classroom.       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. The Honors College is in compliance. The TTU library supports the mission, objectives, degree programs, and research needs of the Natural History & Humanities degree and the Honors Arts & Letters degree.       26. The institution ensures that users have access to regular and timely instruction in the use of the library and other learning/information resources. The Honors College is in compliance. The TTU Library has staff available for instruction in the use of their facilities and resources on a formal or informal basis. In addition, support staff is available to assist users in departmental resource centers. Faculty members provide instruction through their research-based courses that use the resources.       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. The Honors College is in compliance. The TTU Library has qualified and sufficient staff to accomplish the mission of TTU as seen through Honors-specific programs and initiatives.       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. The Honors College is in compliance. Student rights and responsibilities are published in the TTU Catalog, pp. 47-52, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/pdfs/Catalog.pdf, and in the Student Affairs Handbook on the Student Affairs web site, http://www.studentaffairs.ttu.edu/. The Honors College further outlines the additional responsibilities of Honors students in its Honors Student Handbook (http://www.honr.ttu.edu/sh03_02.htm - EXPECTATIONS%20OF%20HONORS%20STUDENTS).       29. The institution protects the security, confidentiality, and integrity of its student records. The Honors College is in compliance. Texas Tech University maintains electronic student records through a secure, password-protected mainframe system. The Honors College maintains paper files in a secure area in McClellan Hall.       30. The institution provides services supporting its mission with qualified personnel to ensure the quality and effectiveness of its student affairs programs. The Honors College is in compliance. TTU and the Honors College employ qualified personnel that provide quality student services.       RESOURCES Financial and Physical Resources 1. The institution’s recent financial history demonstrates financial stability.   - Not applicable to unit level.       2. The institution provides financial statements and related documents, including multiple measures for determining financial health as requested by the Commission, which accurately and appropriately represent the total operation of the institution.   - Not applicable to unit level.       3. The institution audits financial aid programs as required by federal and state regulations.   - Not applicable to unit level.