Unit: Operations Division

Date: February 2, 2004
 

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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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. Not applicable to the unit or area level.   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.     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.     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.     - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit 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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       12. The institution evaluates the effectiveness of its administrators, including the chief executive officer, on a periodic basis.   - 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. JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE Yes, the Operations Division is able to provide a portfolio of evidence supporting compliance. STATEMENT OF RATIONALE FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE The Operations indeed has a formal program for identifying goals with expected outcomes and methods of measuring these goals throughout each fiscal year. Continuous improvement is the preferred management style of Operations. Operations conducts annual strategic planning sessions that establish a mission statement, vision, core values, and long-range goals using the strategic planning process model. Link to: Strategic Plan Only the goals and outcomes that have the most significant impact on Operations to ensure accomplishment of its mission and core values are formally reviewed and results tracked monthly. For review of tracking method: Link to: Control Charts Because of their management style and effectiveness, the Physical Plant was presented the APPA’s highest institutional honor, The Award for Excellence in Facilities Management on two different occasions within the past twelve years. These awards are displayed in the Physical Plant building, room 106. Criteria for the award is available at the following APPA web site: http://www.appa.org/Recognition/awardsForExcellence.cfm.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       2. The institution’s continuing education, outreach, and service programs are consistent with the institution’s mission.   - Not applicable to unit level.       3. The institution publishes admissions policies consistent with its mission.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       12. The institution places primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of its curriculum with its faculty.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level. 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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       21. The institution regularly evaluates the effectiveness of each faculty member in accord with published criteria, regardless of contractual or tenured status.   - Not applicable to unit level.       22. The institution provides evidence of ongoing professional development of faculty as teachers, scholars, and practitioners.   - Not applicable to unit level.       23. The institution ensures adequate procedures for the safeguard and protection of academic freedom.   - Not applicable to unit level.       24. The institution publishes policies on the responsibility and authority of faculty in academic and governance matters.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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.   - Not applicable to unit level.       29. The institution protects the security, confidentiality, and integrity of its student records.   - Not applicable to unit level.       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. 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.       4. The institution exercises appropriate control over all its financial and physical resources.   - Not applicable to unit level.       5. The institution maintains financial control over externally funded or sponsored research and programs.   - Not applicable to unit level.       6. The institution takes reasonable steps to provide a healthy, safe, and secure environment for all members of the campus community. JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE Yes, Texas Tech University is able to provide a portfolio of evidence supporting compliance. STATEMENT OF RATIONALE FOR JUDGEMENT OF COMPLIANCE Texas Tech University (TTU) is committed to strong programs of accident and injury prevention and to complying with all relevant environmental and health and safety laws and regulations. TTU makes all reasonable efforts to: protect the health and safety of TTU faculty, staff and students; provide safe workplaces-academic, research, and administrative-for faculty, staff and students; provide information to faculty, staff, and students about health and safety hazards; identify and correct health and safety hazards and encourage faculty, staff, and students to report hazards; provide information and safeguards for those on campus and in the surrounding community regarding environmental hazards arising from operations at TTU. Safety committees are appointed by the Provost and are composed of representatives from faculty, staff, and students. Safety committees serve in an advisory capacity to the administration on safety, health, and environmental matters. The Environmental Health and Safety Department (EH&S) is responsible for recommending University-wide health and safety policies; ensuring overall institutional compliance with policies, statutes, and regulations; monitoring the effectiveness of the safety programs; and providing central health and safety services to all areas of the University. Safety and health operating policies and procedures are available through the TTU web page http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/Contents.htm - 60 Additional resource material can be found on the EH&S web page http://www.depts.ttu.edu/ehs.       7. The institution operates and maintains physical facilities, both on and off campus, that are adequate to serve the needs of the institution’s educational programs, support services, and mission-related activities. JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE Yes, Texas Tech University is able to provide a portfolio of evidence supporting compliance. STATEMENT OF RATIONALE FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE Texas Tech University defines adequacy of its physical facilities as the ability to serve the needs of the educational mission, programs, support services of the institution. Policies and practices for the expansion, upgrade, maintenance, and operation of the physical facilities are in place and in use on a daily basis. The primary driver for these policies and practices is the ability to support the educational mission and needs of the university. To this end, all colleges and major departments within the university have input into the Texas Tech University Master Plan, with the physical facilities being a part of this accreditation evaluation. Layout of the campus is viewed by clicking on http://www.ttu.edu/campusMap/ for the Campus Map. To ensure that the existing physical facilities maintain pace with the changing needs of the educational programs, several different tools are employed. The overall condition of the major buildings is assessed on a routine and rotating basis by qualified skilled craftsperson. During these inspections, each major sub system in the building is assessed and given a numerical rating to. A report is generated on systems that are in need of repair or renovation for input in the maintenance schedule or funding request as appropriate. The program is described in Physical Plant OP 06.01 Facility Audit Program also a copy of these reports can be viewed in the Physical Plant Building room 106. Senior members from the Physical Plant meet on a rotating basis with the occupants of each major educational building to determine the quality of service as seen by the occupant, the condition of the building, and the changes in the educational programs since the last visit. A formal report is generated from each visit and sent to the department head. Copies of these reports are on file in the Physical Plant building room 106. Each College and operational Division is also given an opportunity annually to provide input into the Capital Improvement Program (see TTU OP 61.36) for funding consideration. These inputs are broken down into three categories of projects and funding is allocated based upon availability and justification. Projects less than $270,000 are funded by the Facility Allocation Council which is a committee that is representative of all areas of the university and meets on a bi-monthly basis. Larger projects are handled on an individual case-by-case basis by means of the campus master plan. Minutes of the Facility Allocation Council are distributed to the various college deans and divisional vice-presidents with the original on file in the office of Vice President for Operations, Administration building, room 171C. PHYSICAL FACILITIES Texas Tech University operates and maintains facilities at multiple locations and campuses located over a wide area in the state of Texas. The main campus is located in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech University is comprised of 191 buildings and 898 acres of developed land. (Reference Texas Tech University Building Inventory List.) In addition, the university also owns and operates 1082 acres of land in the Lubbock area that is used for the purpose of agriculture and research. Plus, Texas Tech University has satellite campuses that are also located in Abilene, Texas; Junction, Texas; Fredericksburg, Texas; and at the Reese Redevelopment Center near Lubbock, Texas. Residential Facilities Texas Tech University Housing and Residence Life have a designed capacity of 3,202 beds for men, 2,806 beds for women and 706 coed beds for a total of 6,714 beds. These beds are housed in approximately 1.6 million square feet supported by 5 dining facilities, one food court and 3 convenience stores in approximately 160,000 square feet. All of these facilities are located on the main campus of Texas Tech University. Housing and Residence Life has its own assigned maintenance workforce with support from the campus Physical Plant to maintain the large mechanical systems. Each building has daily maintenance and custodial personnel assigned to it and the campus has 24-hour maintenance coverage that covers all residence hall rooms. Annual Resident Surveys are conducted using the Association of College and University Housing Officers International (ACUHO-I Survey) and Education Benchmarking, Inc. (EBI). On a scale from 1 to 7 our halls ranked 5.13 on cleanliness and 5.24 on timeliness of repairs. Further info on the ACUHO-I survey can be obtained at www.webebi.com. For complete information on Texas Tech’s Housing and Residence Life, click on: Texas Tech University Housing and Dining. Recreation Facilities Indoor and outdoor recreational space is an important part of the Texas Tech University campus. Anchoring this concept is the recently expanded and renovated Robert H. Ewalt Student Recreation Center. This 242,000 square foot facility includes 7 basketball/volleyball courts, indoor soccer arena, 12 racquetball courts, 18,000 square feet of weight and cardio equipment, jogging/walking track, fitness studios and a 46,000 square foot aquatic center that features a removable air supported roof allowing for indoor and outdoor swimming. Additional recreational facilities include 8 lighted outdoor tennis courts; four lighted multipurpose fields, four lighted softball fields, sport club field and amphitheater with adjacent lighted sand volleyball courts. Coming on line in the next 12 months is four lighted soccer fields. All facilities have student recreation as their primary focus though they are shared by the Exercise & Sports Sciences Department and Athletics. Students have an opportunity to express their various wishes and desires as well as evaluate existing facilities and programs through several different assessment programs. Each even year the department conducts a major random sample survey of all students assessing their satisfaction of the existing recreation program and facilities and allowing them to also project their future needs. Two student committees, the Student Recreation Center Fee Committee and the Student Employee Advisory Committee, meet regularly to provide input to the department. All departmental programs give evaluation forms to program participants that are used by supervisors for planning and program changes. New programs, additional facilities, updated equipment, additional staff and increased hours are just some of the outcomes that have occurred due to these evaluations and assessments. For complete information on Recreation Sports click on this web site http://www.ttu.edu/recsports/ PHYSICAL PLANT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF FACILITIES Every effort is made to make the exterior and the interior appearance of the campus facilities pleasing and functional. To ensure that the educational mission of the university is not interrupted, reliability of the buildings and utility systems are taken very seriously. While service interruptions due to equipment failure are rare, scheduled shutdowns ar