|
Summary of "Institutional Distinctiveness"
(based
on SPARC Workshop 8/20/09, Open Forum 9/15/09,
Institutional Distinctiveness Task Force forums
and meetings 9/09-12/09, Open Forum 11/16/09,
Writing Committee meetings 12/10/09)
Institutional Distinctiveness:
Important attributes that are currently or
readily achievable; distinguishing strengths.
The following
are the current attributes and strengths that
distinguish the college:
Reputation as
an excellent academic institution with a strong
commitment to teaching and learning, as
evidenced by the following:
-
Low
student-faculty ratios, especially in
comparison to similar institutions
-
Significant
growth in freshman applications, high
selectivity in acceptance, and increasing
academic credentials among applicants
-
Innovative
and distinctive niche programs
-
Rigorous
assessment of student learning in General
Education
-
Being one of
only five SUNY institutions participating in
the Voluntary System of Accountability
-
Excellent
scores on the national Collegiate Learning
Assessment in comparison to similar
institutions
-
A rapid
ascent in institutional position in the
national rankings of U.S. News and World
Report and Kiplinger’s Best
Values in Public Colleges
-
An
exceptionally high rate of alumni support
for the college
High levels
of participation, involvement, and engagement on
the part of students, as evidenced by the
following:
High level of
participation in service by faculty, students,
and staff, as evidenced by the following:
-
The 15-year
history of the college’s Center for Social
Responsibility and Community, promoting and
supporting student volunteerism and service
learning
-
Three
successive years of being named to the
President’s Higher Education Community
Service Honor Roll
-
Students’
high ratings of their involvement in
community service through the college
-
Freshmen and
seniors attesting to significantly higher
levels of participation in community-based
projects as part of their classes
-
The Center
for Economic and Community Development
enhancing the quality of life in the greater
Oneonta community
An
environment with distinct physical and
psychological characteristics, as evidenced
by the following:
-
Unique and
high-quality facilities
-
A beautiful
setting and convenient location,
characterized by small-town safety and
atmosphere
-
A robust
technology environment
-
A strong
social network
The following
areas were identified as having potential for
development into distinctive attributes and
strengths of the college in the future:
1. Graduate
programs
2. Diversity
and inclusion
3.
International programs
4.
Sustainability and environmental initiatives
The complete
report of the Institutional Distinctiveness Task
Force, which includes corroborating empirical
evidence of the college’s distinctiveness, is
available on the web at
www.oneonta.edu/sparc/taskforces/IDTF.asp
Last Updated: December 11, 2009
|
