Overall Responses to Mission Review Process

June 2, 2003

Total Number of Responses :                          29

Total Number of People Involved :                472                  [+1 unidentified]

Number of Administrative Responses :           17                  [+1 unidentified]

Number of Academic Responses :                   11                 

Responses by division :

VPAA              11 (197 people)
VPSA              11 (216 people)
VPIT                  2 (16 people)
SA/President      2 (17 people)
VPUA                0
VPFSS               2 (26 people)                [+1 unidentified]

Departments Participating:

Admissions (26 people)
Alkek Library (8 people)
Campus Recreation (13 people)
Career Services (9 people)
Center for International Studies (2 people)
College of Business Administration (100 people)
College of Liberal Arts (11 people)
Communication© Studies (12 people)
Counseling Center & Alcohol and Drug Resources Center (16 people)
Dean of Students Office (4 people)
Extended Business Services Council (25 people)
Family & Consumer Sciences (14 people)
Financial Aid (31 people)
Graduate College (14 people)
Institutional Effectiveness (13 people)
Internal Audit & Advisory Services (4 people)
International Office (1 person)
LBJ Student Center (50 people)
Occupational Education (7 people)
Physical Therapy (13 people)
Residence Life (27 people)
Risk Management & Safety Office (1 person)
School of Social Work (7 people)
Student Health Center (33 people)
Technology Resources (8 people)
University College (16 people)
University Police (3 people)
Vice President for Student Affairs Office (4 people)
[+1 unidentified]

Return to Mission Review Process

• Comprehensive
• Teaching-learning experience in relation to research and creative activity
• Culturally diverse
• Prepare students, broaden their lives, personal growth, develop leadership qualities
• Service to State and Community       
• Other States and Nations       
• Established in 1899 (heritage)       
• “learner-centered environment”       
• “research”        
• “scholarship”       
• “supportive campus environment”       
• “cultural diversity”       
• Undergraduate/Graduate Education. To provide undergraduate students with a broad base of knowledge, college-level competencies, and specialized courses of study selected from a comprehensive range of undergraduate programs. To provide graduate students the opportunity to expand their knowledge in a variety of specialized programs through research, creative expression, and advanced study.

  -         Supported by research and creative activity
  -         Scholarship
  -         Utilizing assessment to provide growth directions       

• Development of personal growth including: to develop the full potential of each individual; development of citizens.

  -         Placement in careers/preparing students for tomorrow’s careers
  -         Development of a teaching-learning environment throughout campus
  -         Contributions of campus to living and learning with the community
  -         Development of leadership opportunities       

• Address the needs of the state.

  -         Striving to or responding to the cultural diversity
  -         Recognizing the advancement and usage of technology to enhance campus
  -         Developing students to enter the workforce       

• Historical identification with the educational needs of the state.
• We teach the skills that will prepare students for tomorrow’s careers, and introduce them to ideas and experiences that will broaden their lives forever.       
• Personal Growth. To develop the full potential of each individual.       
• …culturally diverse university.       
• Encourage…the development of leadership.       
• Commitment to teaching, scholarship, and service.       
• Character development       
• Friendly learning environment       
• There was a consensus that these were too difficult to identify because the mission statement intent was scattered throughout the vision, values and actual statement.       
• The concepts imbedded in the eight bulleted items that follow the opening paragraph of the mission statement are all important and valid.       
• The following list is in descending order of importance with suggested language revisions indicated in bold type. Please note the changed order which moved diversity to a higher position in the listing. The list plus comments/suggestions follows:

  1.    Undergraduate Education. To ensure that undergraduate students graduate with a broad base of knowledge, college-level competencies, and specialized courses of study selected from a comprehensive range of undergraduate programs.
  2.    Graduate Education. To provide graduate students the opportunity to expand their knowledge in a variety of specialized programs through research, creative expression, and advanced study at masters and doctoral levels.
  3.    Culture of Research. To contribute to the greater body of knowledge in specific disciplines through research, scholarship, and creative expression.
  4.    Diverse University Community. To create and maintain a learning environment in which the rich diversity of the State is reflected in the composition of the student body, faculty, administration, and staff and by the inclusion of diverse perspectives into the curriculum and into extracurricular activities.
  5.    Service to State and Community. To serve as a professional, educational, and cultural resource to the local area and the larger community by providing consultation, advice, distance-education opportunities, and special services.
  6.    Campus Environment. To sustain a technology-enhanced environment for learning and professional development that is supportive, inclusive, and welcoming.
  7.    Personal Development. To develop the full potential of each individual in accordance with the core values articulated by the University.       

• Teaching and learning (rather than breaking it into undergraduate vs. graduate education)       
• Scholarship       
• Honestly, to us, everything else on the list seemed more like marketing statements meant to address different constituencies—rather than being appropriate statements of direction for a ‘mission statement’. We thought the phrase “metropolitan” was inappropriate and that the emphasis on extracurricular activities was perhaps outdated given the commuting nature of our population.       
• Excellent undergraduate education       
• Major comprehensive university       
• Quality and excellence in departments and programs       
• Honors research and scholarship       
• Lifelong learning emphasis       
• Value diversity—“a diverse, learner-centered environment”       
• “Seeking achievement-oriented students who want a supportive learning environment”       
• Cultivation of character in our students as well as critical thinking skills       
• Individualized attention for students       
• Emphasis on student development—development of the whole person       
• Service learning emphasis       
• Collaborative working environment among students, faculty and staff       
• Service to community and state       
• Undergraduate education       
• Graduate education       
• Personal growth       
• Scholarship (includes research)       
• Service       
• Extended BSC supports the sentences following the bullets in the current mission statement; however, they believe the mission statement should specifically mention “doctoral programs” when addressing graduate education because of the emphasis placed upon achieving the Carnegie classification of Doctoral Intensive.       
• Extended BSC also believes that service should specifically extend to the students; we would like to see a service commitment instilled in students (as this called service learning). Possible wording: develop students’ appreciation for and dedication to active community service.         
• Comprehensive (UG/Grad, variety)       
• Instill life-long pursuit of academic excellence       
• Sustain environment for learning & professional development       
• Learner-centered environment       
• Analyze critically/think creatively       
• Develop full potential of individuals       
• Seeking knowledge       
• Culturally diverse       
• Strong focus on teaching       
• Research/creative activity       
• Service to state and community       
• Development of leadership       
• Cultivation of character       
• Serving students across Texas as well as other states and nations         
• Education (no distinction between undergrad and grad)       
• Campus environment (this is one of the major “draws” of SWT)       
• Personal growth       
• Service to state and community       
• Enriched learning community       
• Scholarship       
• Emphasizing the central importance of teaching and learning       
• Lifelong pursuit of academic excellence       
• Value research and creative activity       
• Respond to the changing needs of our state       
• Values and respects diversity       
• Accountability through careful assessment and continuous improvement       
• To sustain an environment that encourages faculty and staff professional development       
• System of communication that recognizes all voices in decision-making process       
• Celebrates excellence       
• Values service       
• We agree that all are critical, but would reprioritize in the following order:

  -         Undergraduate Education
  -         Graduate Education
  -         Scholarship
  -         Personal Growth
  -         Enriched Learning Community
  -         Campus Environment
  -         Service to State and Community      

• It is critical that the university continue to strive to promote a learning community, providing for research and scholarly opportunities for the faculty and students…a first tier institution. We need to strive to attract National Merit scholars and research oriented faculty.       
• The last sentence in the actual mission statement which references teaching and preparing students for tomorrow’s careers.       
• Service to the community/service learning       
• Diversity (in a more active voice)       
• Statement related to campus environment should remain and include—supportive and student-centered       
• A university which will be the first choice of excellent students       
• Inclusion of the core values       
• Central importance of teaching (in vision statement and other places throughout the document)       
• Importance of teaching and learning       
• Academic excellence       
• Lifelong pursuit of knowledge       
• One of the top 3 public universities in Texas       
• Teaching skills to prepare for career and real world       
• Culturally diverse       
• Personal growth/development of productive citizens       
• In rank order:

  -         Undergraduate education
  -         Graduate education
  -         Scholarship
  -         Service to state and community
  -         Enriched learning community
  -         Campus environment
  -         Personal growth       

• Our group experienced difficulty in focusing upon our current mission statement. While we viewed the current mission statement as too generic, we found little to fault. Our frustration in focusing upon the current mission statement was best captured  by one participant who asked “is there a public university that wouldn’t be able to accept this mission statement?” Members of our group asked if we really were a “metropolitan university?” Several indicated that we should concern ourselves with students and not separate them into graduate and undergraduate. Several noted that our emphasis upon the corridor may make us “too regional”.       
• Actual Statement in Vision – We will be known for our learner-centered environment, offering students the advantages of both a small college and a large multifaceted university, valuing research and creative activity, and emphasizing the central importance of teaching and learning.       
• Emphases in Core Values – We are dedicated to providing a curriculum and educational experience that develop our capacities, not only to analyze critically and think creatively, but also to reason ethically and feel compassionately.       
• Actual Statement in Core Values – The nurturing of individuals. We value the opportunity to develop the potential of every individual of our diverse community.       
• Actual Statement in Core Values – We see the articulation of this statement as ongoing.       
• Actual Statement in Mission Statement – SWT has responded to the changing needs of our state.       
• Actual Statement in Mission Statement – Although the teaching-learning experience, supported by research and creative activity, is the heart of SWT we also encourage involvement in extra curricular activities and the development of leadership.       
• Actual Statement in Mission Statement – Service to State and Community. To serve as a professional, educational, and cultural resource to the local area and the larger community by providing consultation, advice, and special services.        Actual Statement in Quality Statement – We rely on teamwork, collaboration, communication, and respect for one another.       
• The entire Quality Statement.       
• Second sentence of vision statement (We will be known…)       
• Third through sixth sentences of mission statement (Today, SWT is a comprehensive, culturally diverse university…we pursue the following purposes.) This series of sentences needs some editing, but the content is good.       
• Three bulleted items in core values statement.       
• First four bullets of mission statement (Undergraduate Education, Graduate Education, Scholarship, and Service to State and Community)       
• Last 3 bullets of mission statement (Enriched Learning Community, Campus Environment, and Personal Growth) should not be listed as bullets but rather incorporated into introductory paragraph of mission, because these serve as the foundation for the main purposes of education, scholarship, and service.       
• To reason ethically and act compassionately       
• Service to the community       
• Education for education’s sake       
• Lifelong pursuit of learning       
• Teaching/learning experience supported by research and creative activity       
• Comprehensive (Doctoral granting)       
• Culturally diverse       
• Leadership focus       
• Teaching       
• Advancement of Knowledge       
• Service       
• Intellectually stimulating       
• Socially diverse climate       
• Promote learning        
• Freedom       
• Undergraduate education…       
• Graduate education…       
• Scholarship…       
• Service to state and community…       
• Enriched learning environment…       
• Campus environment…       
• Personal growth…       
• Several expressed the belief that excellence and quality should be emphasized in all areas, but particularly in academics, scholarship, and above all, new undergraduate and graduate programs       
• Diversity should remain a commitment

Return to Mission Review Process

2.      What commitments, emphases, and directions should be contained in our mission statement that are not currently there? [in no particular order]

• Supportive environment       
• Committed to high quality students       
• Reference to distance learning and information literacy       
• State prominence       
• Relationship with satellite campuses       
• More integration of creative expression in academic environment       
• More accurate word than comprehensive when discussing academic degrees for graduate education        Reflection of comprehensive regarding student services       
• Replace on-going with growth or other word choice demonstrating forward direction/progress
• Importance of assessment
• Development of technology resources
• Response or plan for enrollment growth: will there be a cap or will it continue to expand
• Importance of job placement
• No consensus on new items. One interesting individual response centered on conveying sentiments that would encourage alumni to have more of a life-long attachment to SWT.
• Leadership development.
• Course of study that stresses international and comparative studies and seeks to be relevant not only to the state of Texas but also to the global community.
• Reverence for different cultures.
• More specific mention of classification level (doctoral intensive) rather than “comprehensive”; possible inclusion of expansion to satellite campus location(s)
• One comment mentioned hoping that SWT would have an appreciation for the families of our students and have as a goal to strengthen families.
• We emphasized diversity somewhat more than it had been in the previous mission statement (made it a higher priority, as reflected in listing) and put less emphasis on technology-enhanced curriculum, which Council felt was somewhat out of place in a mission statement.
• We believe that there should be more emphasis on ethics, developing an appreciation for learning (outside the pragmatic applications of degrees), and developing in students a sense of their responsibilities as citizens.
• Emphasis on co-curricular activities
• Stress academics to the maximum, over small college-feel or friendly environment, location, beauty of campus       
• Use of technology in teaching, etc.
• Global outreach
• Who we serve (better understanding)
• State oriented (broaden our perspective) school vs. regional (corridor)
• Define who we are
• “Tradition” in on-campus activities
• Internal image of ourselves (collegial)
• Top down/Bottom up feedback (closing the loop)
• Respect for each other (internally)
• Realistic pursuit of goals
• Unified opinion of ourselves
• Academic-oriented planning
• Extended BSC had conflicting opinions on what was missing. Some believed mention of collaboration and partnership should be addressed. This would give us focus in light of the budget situation. Others thought this was more appropriate as a goal and not the “reason we exist”. In any event, collaboration would be both external (with partnerships) and internal (among departments/divisions with a focus on quality).
• A bullet should be included that speaks to diversity, something more specific about our commitment to diversity and not just the references currently cited (“culturally diverse” and “rich diversity of the state”).
• A statement such as “committed to employee development and satisfaction” should also be included. Employee in this case would be faculty, staff, and student workers. We believe it is important to reflect we value our employees.
• We should also reference the San Marcos community. It would show our intent to be good neighbors.
•  Student centered learning and teaching excellence
• Emphasis on lifelong learning for faculty as well as students and staff
• University spirit as seen in cross-divisional communication. This is especially true in regard to academic side of house. There is little evidence of communication among academic departments as well as communication to other divisions. Student Affairs and FSS and IT seem to communicate routinely, yet we seldom hear from academic side and they certainly do not seem interested in hearing from the other divisions. This seems evident as we try to implement new strategies in response to NSSE results.
• Stress academic excellence by students as well as faculty
• Cohesiveness within the University community; school spirit
• Expand/clarify personal growth to include faculty, staff and students
• Realign resources to emphasize academic quality
• I believe it is imperative that the SWT mission statement include a global perspective. The question is not how should SWT portray itself, but how should it portray itself to the world.
• There needs to be a focus on distance learning and adult education within the university community.
• Academic Excellence (in the actual statement itself)
• Student-focused/centered
• Good neighbor to San Marcos
• Diversity as an active voice statement – rather than a passive one
• Clarify an/or prioritize – what I meant by being a university of choice – primarily for undergraduates? – for graduate students? – for students seeking professional degrees? – don’t try to be everything.
• When discussing continuous improvement – be certain to include focusing on continuous improvement in administrative and management of the University so other aspects of the mission of the University can be reached.
• Under campus environment – add intellectually challenging to “supportive, inclusive, and welcoming”.
• Add a statement emphasizing the importance of improving delivery of education to non-traditional students through various modalities such as distance education and weekend programs, etc.
• Affordable education
• High standards/academically challenging
• Greater emphasis on student engagement and civic responsibility
• More focus on beautiful location
• More on diversity/preparing students for the global workplace
• Enriching social environment
• Undergraduate Education. Add “critical thinking skills” to read: To provide undergraduate students with a broad base of knowledge, critical thinking skills, college-level competencies, and specialized courses of study selected from a comprehensive range of undergraduate programs.
• Graduate Education. Add “and skills” to read: To provide graduate students the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in a variety of specialized programs through research, creative expression, and advanced study.
• Scholarship. Eliminate the word “scholarship” and the phrase “in specific disciplines” then reword to read: To contribute to the greater body of knowledge through creative expression, research, and the publication of those works.
• Service to State and Community. Add two sentences to read: “To serve as a professional, educational, and cultural resource to the local area and the larger community by providing consultation, advice, and special services. To be good stewards of public resources. To produce graduates who will provide a positive contribution to state and community.”
• To develop a technology-enhanced learning community reflecting the rich diversity of the state. – Split into two topics as noted below:

-         Enriched Learning Community. To develop a learning community reflecting the rich diversity of the state.
-         Enriched Learning Opportunities. To develop technology-enhanced learning opportunities.

• Personal Growth – Replace with the following sentence: “To develop a lifelong desire to continually explore new possibilities for learning, to develop the potential of every individual, and to cultivate character, honesty, integrity, diligence, courage, compassion, fairness, and respect.”
• Outreach Programs. To extend educational opportunities beyond the main campus.
• A commitment to what SWT will be in the future—a vision of what we will become—a 20-year vision
• A commitment to high standards of excellence—a challenging academic and intellectual environment with increased student quality and experiences
• An environment that creates intellectual stimulation
• A commitment to communicating a sense of the whole and to becoming involved in the whole
• Increased quality of students
• A unique or defining experience for faculty, staff and students
• Attention to Closing the Gaps
• A student-centered educational experience with a strong commitment to providing academic support for our students
• An institution about which our students and alumni are proud and to which they are determined to send their own children
• An institution committed to attracting bright and talented students
• A commitment to service or civic learning that would set SWT apart from institutions such as UT, A&M, Tech
• A commitment to a connected educational experience
• We should be able to identify our mission and have a sense of the whole rather than internal divisions or silos
• Emphasis upon our human resources—faculty, staff, students and maybe even alumni
• Emphases not in Mission Statement – Our commitment to creating an atmosphere and reality of safety and security within our internal and external environments.
• “Nationally recognized academic programs” and nationally recognized faculty” are missing from listing of SWT’s strengths.
• A commitment to regional and international diversity, including ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, philosophical, religious, intellectual, and political points of view
• A global awareness
• To prepare people to participate in a democracy
• Comprehensive, doctoral granting institution with a strong tradition of being one of the best undergraduate universities in the region
• Student scholarship, leadership and citizenship opportunities both inside and outside of the classroom to support the academic curriculum
• Global focus in addition to the state and national focus
• “Learning centered”
• Development of the “whole person”
• Leading
• Teaching
• Caring
• Service (more emphasis)
• The need to act as well as reason in an ethical fashion (core values)
• That we now offer doctoral programs and as such are changing mission class
• Our dedication to providing exemplary services
• Promotion and support of the city’s involvement with the university

Return to Mission Review Process

3. What sets SWT apart from other universities, whether it is our students we serve, our programs, or some other aspect of the university? [in no particular order]

• Growth
• Location
• Picturesque campus
• A welcoming sense of community
• Strong teaching emphasis on both undergraduate and graduate studies
• Hands on/applied opportunities and experience/opportunity to DO
• The supportive learning environment.
• Status as a Regional Humanities Center
• Location and the opportunities it presents for academic, professional and personal growth
• Commitment to student development opportunities
• Collaborative efforts existing throughout campus to enhance student education
• Commitment to development of faculty and staff to better serve the needs of students
• Opportunities to develop students into citizens and leaders of the future through academic, professional and personal challenges
• Location and beauty of the campus
• Large school diversity of people, programs and activities with small school attention to individuals.
• Friendly, caring environment for students
• Quality programs
• Faculty involvement in the classroom at all levels, including freshman classes
• Diversity
• Friendly atmosphere
• Emphasis upon excellent teaching
• Cultural diversity
• Location
• Faculty focus on student learning
• Positive learning experience for students
• Focus on moving to doctoral intensive university
• Many opportunities for students to apply what they have learned through class projects, student organization participation, etc.
• Our location in the beautiful central Texas hill country in a culturally diverse region bounded by Austin and San Antonio.
• Our unique centers of national excellence
• Our collegial, supportive learning environment
• The value we place on undergraduate teaching
• The personal contact with students
• The accessibility of faculty for students
• Our recognition of the needs of the “working professional” student
• Our willingness to work with students from a variety of backgrounds and circumstances
• Our overall quality and excellence, even though we are an “everyperson’s” university
• Quality undergraduate education
• Excellence in departments, programs
• Emphasis on student development
• Collaborative working environment among our students, staff and faculty
• Supportive environment
• Individualized attention
• Uniqueness of our location at the head waters of the San Marcos River and on the Balcones Escarpment
• Emphasis on quality principles and development
• Location – natural beauty with the river
• Size and friendly campus setting – even though we have 25,000+ students, our students often comment we are the “right size” and there is a “small feel” about SWT
• Service oriented – we should continue to be service oriented but get away from “hand holding” of our students
• Cultural provider to the local community
• Our geographic location
• Strong work ethic of our students
• More real-world, applied focus
• Great student-faculty relations
• Very student oriented
• Unique undergraduate & graduate programs
• Beautiful campus
• Southwest Writers Collection
• Center for Study of the Southwest
• Aquarena Center
• Faculty Advancement Center
• Collegiality across campus
• The “small school” atmosphere (as opposed to small school) is derived from a variety of factors. First, e have a tradition of “caring”, be it for students or our fellow colleagues. Second, there is good cross-divisional communication between Student Affairs, FSS and IT. Good communication fosters a strong sense of community.
• Although we have become more bureaucratic through the yeas (such as reporting repairs only through the web), we can still solve “people problems” by picking up the phone.
• Vice presidents are addressed by first names and know many of the staff by first name. Unfortunately, we shall lose this important aspect unless we actively reaffirm the “we care about each other” aspect of this community. The annual LBJ picnic is a prime example of what makes SWT so unique in its “friendly and approachable atmosphere”.
• Location, location, location
• Cater to adult-learners (non-traditional)
• Recognized for our teacher education, geography program, music school, health research, and hospital administration
• Location (beautiful campus)
• Programs are focused from our location (natural laboratory)
• Accessibility
• Proximity to other major universities (increased competition)
• Representative of the State population (attract more holistic-oriented people)
• Our faculty are more “teaching” focused (prestige)
• Affordability
• Location – I-35 corridor
• Small campus; homey
• Support of international students
• SWT has an excellent location in the IH35 Corridor.
• The potential for student enrollment and addressing “closing the gaps” remains high for SWT.
• It’s a large institution which actively uphold the values, environment and focus of a teaching/student-centered, personable campus
• Excellent reputation for educating undergraduate students
• Reputation as a University that graduates large numbers of Hispanic students
• Large number of first generation college students
• Excellent education at a reasonable cost – “good value”.
• Location
• Size of university (large enough to offer a variety of programs, but small enough to receive personal attention)
• Classes taught by professors, not TA’s
• Certain departments with excellent national reputation
• Beautiful location close to major cities
• Affordable
• Prepare students for the job market
• Values and appreciates diversity
• Can get a great education here and have fun doing it
• Friendly, warm and welcoming campus environment
• Location
• Campus beauty
• Proud legacy of teacher preparation
• Small school atmosphere
• Quality and variety of programs
• Quality of students
• Diversity
• Student-professor connection is still important but threatened by increased use of mass delivery instructional model
• Will we be a “selective” institution until our student data reflects such status
• Need a commitment upon the people at SWT—students, faculty and staff
• The University Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit (CPU) ensures that students, faculty, and staff are aware of all services the Police and Parking Services provide. We accomplish this by establishing meaningful relationships with student groups and service departments within the university community.
• As a police department part of an institution of higher education with a current enrollment of 25,000+, which encompasses an intimate city, we are committed to our neighboring community through outreach programs and shared values.
• The people are friendly.
• We are in close proximity to large-city amenities.
• There are varied living opportunities close by, ranging from big cities to rural areas.
• We have outstanding faculty members who are really committed to doing a good job.
• We have a dedicated staff.
• Our students embrace the diversity of the campus.
• Our University is efficiently run.
• People genuinely like each other and work collaboratively.
• Location
• Commitment to Student Development
• Collaborative efforts between academic departments and student affairs to enhance scholarship, leadership and citizenship
• Friendly and welcoming quality of campus life
• Location
• Commitment to student development
• Opportunities to develop our students into citizens and leaders
• We are a “user friendly” campus, there is a real commitment to serve our students and to work together to accomplish our collective goal of helping students have a successful college experience.
• Extra effort in the service we provide that generates student gratitude and amazement
• Friendly university atmosphere
• Strong mentorship from faculty/staff to student and from faculty/staff to staff and faculty
• Beautiful surroundings with abundant natural resources and a clean environment
• Opportunities for advancement in a developing and diverse community

Return to Mission Review Process

4.     Please list any other comment(s) concerning the mission statement review that the department/unit would like to include.

• Needs to be more concise
• Drop regional reference
• Fold bullets into paragraphs. Use broader statements to encompass ideas.
• Drop last paragraph
• Don’t like “extra curricular” word
• We are not a metropolitan campus
• Prepare for tomorrow’s careers – sounds vocational – reword.
• Eliminate cute, overly sentimental phrasing, e.g., “humanize our hearts”, “…a place where everyone, including the President, says ‘Hello’ …, etc.
• Introduction of the humanizing heart concept of socially responsive citizens
• Promotion of the quality of faculty and staff
• The campus community developing relationships of a lifetime including those with alumni
• Items of least importance or resulting in discussion:

  -         Better identification of the community served – removing Austin-San Marcos-San Antonio and metropolitan
  -         Challenge the use of “comprehensive” if it best reflects the campus services
  -         Adjust cultural diversity to express the striving and responding to the changing needs of the state and campus with acknowledgement of current demographics.

• All CBA faculty and staff were contacted and given an opportunity to respond. Individual responses were given to department chairs and brought to CBA Council where all input was discussed. Approximately 15 people contributed input that is synthesized in the responses provided via this document.
• There was a strong feeling that the mission statement needs to be much shorter and more inspirational; that it should help us develop goals and objectives and a strategic plan that takes us to the next level. An example given was Notre Dame’s College of Business mission that says something like: Our mission is to advance knowledge through distinguished scholarship and research, inspirational teaching and spirited services. This statement was seen as setting the tone and raising the bar.
• The mission statement also needs to be more memorable so faculty and students can recognize it and it will have more meaning. The current statement(s) has too much description.
• There was concern that some of the statements were not accurate any longer. The “small college” charm is no longer possible given the size of the university, size of it classes, etc. We are moving toward a large multifaceted university with large classes and less and less student-faculty contact and losing the small school perception.
• The position statement captures a lot of what a mission statement could look like.
• The values stated are good values but what connection to implementation is there? It’s one thing to have good values but another to live them and foster them in students.
• The vision mentions that SWT will be “recognized as one of the top three public universities of choice in Texas.” That has been accomplished so is no longer a vision.
• All stakeholders should be consulted when crafting a mission statement. In addition to faculty and staff this would include alums, students, regents, community members, employers, recruiters, etc.
• Council believes the first two sentences of the opening paragraph should be deleted.
• We thought the opening paragraph under the Mission subhead was overly wordy and much too focused on telling the history rather than describing a clear, succinct mission.
• We think there should be in the mission a clearly articulated and elevated sense of central goals.
• Also, it was suggested that the whole page was too long, too redundant, too difficult to find the central ideas.
• The Quality and Strength statements at the bottom of the page could be entirely eliminated, and, the core values more appropriately made a part of the “mission” section.
• Our two offices felt that we would be wise to stress the strength of our academic programs and majors over our campus’s beauty, small-college feel and friendliness. These other qualities are, of course, some of our strengths but should not precede academic excellence.
• We believe that the reference to the dynamic San Antonio/Austin corridor is appropriate for our position statement for marketing but not so for our mission statement in that it could limit us to a region when we are trying to emphasize our national appeal.
• We feel all of the history and demographic information in the mission statement should be removed.
• Question – what does “special service” mean in the first paragraph?
• A question that arose was: “Who is the mission for? If for internal use, then it should be shorter.” They believe our mission statement should be easy to remember. “If for external use, it is OK to be long.” Texas Tech’s mission statement (see below) is an example. Perhaps something like the following for SWT:
  “Through the teaching, research, and service process, SWT provides:

  -         Undergraduate education…
  -         Graduate education…
  -         Personal growth…
  -         Scholarship…
  -         Service…
  -         Diversity…”
  Texas Tech’s mission statement is:
  -         To provide the highest standard of excellence in higher education while pursuing continuous quality improvement
  -         To foster the intellectual and personal development of students
  -         To stimulate the greatest degree of meaningful research
  -         To support faculty and staff in satisfying those whom we serve.

• Define bullets three, five and seven a little better
• Include in bullet six regarding environment the word “safe”.
• Elaborate more on bullets six and seven
• I think the statement is just fine. I do not feel that I could add anything to it at this time.
• Rather than reading “special service to the greater Austin-San Marcos-San Antonio region”, I suggest it be changed to read “special service to the surrounding area” in the first paragraph.
• The current mission statement sounds good to me. I have no recommendations of changes to submit. Thank you for allowing me to voice my opinion.
• Don’t think it is necessary to state “college-level competencies” in bullet one.
• Suggest changing reference to “greater Austin-San Marcos-San Antonio region” to Texas.
• Question if “and students” should be added to the end of sentence that reads, “Throughout it rich history, SWT has responded to the changing needs of our state.”
• The statement “SWT is also a metropolitan University, providing special service to the Greater Austin-San Marcos-San Antonio region” reinforces what the students are fighting regarding the name change. The statement itself refers to SWT as a regional institution. This is a true statement and I support it. However, in light of the continual fight over the name change, I think it would be better to delete it from the statement.
• Bullet four, “Service to the State and Community” is fluff. The University needs to make a commitment to the city of San Marcos to work together to solve student related issues such as traffic, parking, curfews, and ‘party’ neighborhoods. SWT needs to form a stronger and more positive relationship with the city.
• The department stated that the current mission statement and other documents are too long. They also think it sounds “hokey”. It’s too “touchy-feely”.
• We would like to see less emphasis on our history and more on our current and future directions.
• It is time to eliminate the teacher training focus from the mission.
• We also believe the Austin-San Antonio corridor focus limits our appeal to those (students, external constituents) outside the corridor.
• We don’t think our mission is to “encourage involvement in extracurricular activities”.
• Get rid of the “we want to be #3”.
• If it cannot receive “equal billing” with teaching, at least emphasize the importance of co-curricular activities in the development of our students as well as the importance of the university environment. A beautiful campus and a well-maintained campus enhances the experience of students, employees and visitors.
• Although emphasizing a “small campus atmosphere” is important, there are areas where we need to look beyond regional borders such as in the development of scholarship dollars and other avenues and types of financial resources.
• Shorter, more concise mission statement with supporting sections separated (memorable)
• More inclusive participation by “front-line” staff and faculty
• Top-level participation “administrators need to set the example by actively participating” (walking the walk)
• SWT should continue to involve the community at large within its mission and practice.
• We do not like the phrase “to indoctrinate either intellectually, morally, or religiously” in the core value statement.
• The mission statement needs to be succinct and easy to articulate by any member of the university community.
• Need to leave the history component out of the actual statement.
• The mission statement as it is, should be called the “mission document” because it is rather lengthy.
• The Position Statement is excellent.
• Take out the regional references within the actual mission statement (i.e. “San Antonio, Austin”) because the university continuously struggles with the “small school, regional campus”
• We react negatively to “one of the top three public universities of choice”. The message should be this University will be the first choice of excellent students. As is, the statement is not focused, competitive, hierarchal, and actually unrealistic (if it means UT and A&M are the “top” two.
• We appreciate the opportunity to have this input.
• The current mission statement is way too long and includes many unimportant details, history, and specifics. The mission statement should be concise and most importantly, inspiring. It should include the university’s vision, its main mission and a few inspiring goals.
• Vision section: Strike “three” in first sentence. Being in the top three should be stated as a goal, rather than part of the Vision.
• Mission section: Move the first two sentences later in the paragraph or elsewhere. Strike “Today” in the third sentence.
• Strengths section: Update with current data, such as number of students.
• Need a short mission statement
• Position Statement: Change “*the* leading public university” to “*a* leading public university.”
• While our conversation was rich, we had difficulty addressing the current mission statement. We seemed to find more examples of bland, or generic statements than those which set us apart. One member of our group drafted an alternative mission statement which I append below. Though not consensual, we found it distinctive in ways that our current mission statement is not.
• As we continue to grow as an institution, we believe that it’s imperative that we continue to develop and enhance our security needs.
• We are troubled by the first sentence in the vision statement, because many people do not see this as a student choice issue. We question if we will ever “catch” Texas Tech.
• While there are many excellent phrases contained within the mission statement and its associated statements, they do not read as written in “one voice”. When the statements are combined into one document, the reader can become mired in the verbiage.
• The core values statement is too long, and students cannot resonate to it. We recommend keeping the three bulleted items and developing an abbreviated introductory statement, perhaps drawn from the second sentence of the first paragraph, then cut the rest of it.
• The historical information should be dropped from the mission statement (first two sentences).
• Drop “purposes” from the end of the first paragraph in the mission statement.
• The SWT strengths section needs some editing. We suggest the following edits:

  -         A strong focus on teaching;
  -         an historic contribution to teacher education THAT CONTINUES;
  -         a welcoming atmosphere – a place where [everyone, including the President, says “Hello”] PEOPLE SAY HELLO AND MAKE EYE CONTACT, contributing to a sense of community despite our size;
  -         a beautiful location [on a hill] in the [town] COMMUNITY of San Marcos, on the edge of the Texas Hill Country at the head waters of the San Marcos River;
  -         a strong reputation with employers for well-trained workers;
  -         NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS;
  -         high quality, [enthusiastic, accessible] NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED faculty;
  -         graduate programs that serve working professionals along the IH 35 corridor; and
  -         efficient use of DWINDLING resources.

• We should work to create an atmosphere on campus that encourages our students to cultivate an affinity and loyalty for the university while they are still our students.
• The current mission is too lengthy.
• Language used throughout the mission statement and related documents should project a consistent and up-to-date image of the university.

Sample Mission Statements submitted for review:

• Southwest Texas State University (SWT) was established in 1899 to address the state’s need for excellent teachers. Throughout its rich history, SWT has accepted and even exceeded that challenge by embracing a core value of a profound love for the land and it’s people. This is dramatically demonstrated in SWT’s consistent accomplishment at providing nationally recognized geographers and teachers. Through the core value, SWT is now positioned to develop and expand its curriculum to focus on the most critical challenges facing an increasingly complex and urbanized society while meeting those incumbent educational and environmental needs.  As those needs proliferate, so will graduate programs in particular, but the focus will remain on maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence.  With the SWT campus gracing a 200-foot escarpment overlooking the crystal clear headwaters of the San Marcos River, students are afforded the sophistication inherent to the Austin-San Marcos-San Antonio region along with the charm and serene atmosphere characteristic of small community colleges.  It is in such an environment that students of SWT are provided the finest of opportunities as we pursue the following principles:

  -         Scholastic Education. To provide a broad base level of knowledge while offering specialized programs at the highest level of academic excellence in order to develop the full potential of every student at every level.
  -         Campus Environment. To provide the most beautiful campus and enriching atmosphere which serves to encourage, sustain and enhance personal growth and development.
  -         Community Service and Appreciation. To instill the desire in every student the fulfillment obtained in serving a community and its richly diverse populous.

  We will fulfill this mission by having all at SWT embrace our core value to adore the land and its people.  We will accomplish this mission through diligent planning, careful self-assessment, and continuous improvement. 

• Southwest Texas State University is committed to creating an excellent teaching, research and learning environment that keeps pace with an ever changing world and thus, enables its students to be successful and valuable citizens within the global community.

• Southwest Texas State University is a comprehensive, culturally diverse university providing a source for the development, discovery and dissemination of knowledge, scholarship, skills and abilities to the people of Texas as well as those from other states and nations who affiliate with the campus. Although it serves all of these areas, it provides a special focus for the metropolitan areas of Austin and San Antonio, and the corridor area joining them. Although it serves all, it has a special responsibility for enabling the leaders of today and the future to fulfill their intellectual potentials. We see the traditional divisions of teaching, research, creative activity and service as vital parts of an integrated process which also involves living and learning with others. This takes place in a stimulating, enriching environment in which ideas and experiences lead to knowledge, learning and growth.

  This environment of possibility is created in equal parts by a staff and faculty and students who are selected for their ability to contribute, gain and grow; and for their desire to serve, help and support each other.
  
  Special characteristics of the Southwest Texas State Experience include:

  -A recognition that though intellectual and personal growth take place through a traditional undergraduate education, they also take place at the graduate level, at intermediate way stations in life and beyond the bounds of the Monday through Friday regular campus classroom, residence or study carrel.
  
  -Establishment of linkages between and among courses which acknowledge that the best way to learn traditional disciplines is through exploring their connections to the large issues and themes of society.
  
  -A desire to provide the broadest possible cultural spectrum, realizing that we learn as much from each other’s differences as we take comfort in each other’s similarities.  

  Our mission is in substance to provide a “no boundaries” intellectual growth experience; no boundaries between classroom and any other room, no boundaries between each other, no boundaries between teaching and learning, no boundaries between the beginning and ending the learning process, no boundaries between courses, and no boundaries which prevent those who are ready to achieve from achieving. We will be proud of the contributions we make to each other’s growth and to the future.   Our mission will never be fulfilled, but all who come into contact with us will be.

• Our mission is to provide inclusive, student-oriented, learning centered environments that offer quality programs, services, and facilities that encourage and support learning, free discovery, and engagement within the various university communities we serve. We will strive to develop the full potential of each individual and demonstrate our accountability through careful assessment, continuous improvement, service, teaching, and caring.

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