Judgment of Compliance

Narrative

The Mission Statement of Sam Houston State University clearly describes the institution, its purpose, characteristics, scope of operation and constituencies [1]. The Mission Statement is periodically reviewed by the University, its governing board, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). The Mission Statement for Sam Houston State University was last approved by the THECB on January 27, 2005 [2]. The Coordinating Board had previously approved the Mission Statement on January 25, 2001 [3]. The mission was last approved by the Board of Regents of The Texas State University System in May, 2007 [4]. The philosophy of the University and its mandates are communicated to its constituents through a variety of venues.

The Sam Houston State University Mission Statement is well publicized and available to its constituencies through the following venues: Sam Houston State University 2006-2008 Undergraduate Catalog [1], Sam Houston State University 2007-2009 Graduate Catalog [5], and the Sam Houston State University Faculty Handbook [6]. The mission statement and goals, as publicized in the above documents, is:

University Mission
Sam Houston State University is a multicultural institution whose mission is to provide excellence by continually improving quality education, scholarship, and service to its students and to appropriate regional, state, national, and international constituencies.

University Goals
• Promote students’ intellectual, social, ethical, and leadership growth.
• Recruit and retain qualified, dedicated faculty and support staff.
• Recruit and retain qualified, motivated students.
• Provide the necessary library and other facilities to support quality instruction, research, and public service.
• Provide an educational environment that encourages systematic inquiry and research.
• Promote and support diversity and provide for equitable opportunities for minorities.
• Offer a wide range of academic studies in pre-professional, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs.
• Collaborate with other universities, institutions, and constituencies.
• Provide instructional research and public service through distance learning and technology.

The mission of Sam Houston State University meets the criteria of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board as authorized in Section 61.051(d) of the Texas Statutes Education Code [7] as set forth in Chapter 5, Subchapter B, Sections 5.21 and 5.23 of the Rules of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board [8] regarding the fundamental purpose of the University.

The mission statement drives the strategic planning process and plays a prominent role in the strategic plan [9] (see Core Requirement 2.5). The Strategic Planning Committee, appointed by the President, is charged with reviewing and updating the mission statement of Sam Houston State University [10]. The mission statement lays the foundation for the environmental scan which is a vital component of strategic planning at the University. As part of this process, the Committee seeks feedback from departments across campus in its review.

The mission statement is publicized in the Strategic Plan, guides the operations of the University, and is based upon the President's vision for the University. The annual updating of the Strategic Plan begins with the distribution of the environmental scan. The mission statement lays the foundation for the environmental scan which is a vital component of strategic planning at Sam Houston State University.

Establishment, approval, and periodic review of the Sam Houston State University Mission Statement is carried out every four years in accordance with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Rules [11] listed in Chapter 5, Subchapter B, Section 5.24. Following the four year schedule, Sam Houston State University has received notification from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board [12] that the Mission Statement is to be submitted in late 2008 for review. Prior to this time, Sam Houston State will review its Mission Statement and submit its revised Mission Statement for approval to The Texas State University System Board of Regents in August 2008 [13].

Final authority for approving changes to the mission statement rests with The Texas State University System Board of Regents and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The next review period is scheduled for the 2008-2009 academic year.

Supporting Documentation