3.1.1

The mission statement is current and comprehensive, accurately guides the institution’s operations, is periodically reviewed and updated, is approved by the governing board, and is communicated to the institution’s constituencies. (Mission)

Compliance Judgment

X In compliance Partially compliant Non-compliant

Narrative

The mission statement is current and comprehensive, and it covers the major concerns of the university: teaching, research, and service [1]. The general public and university stakeholders are able to use this document to distinguish Francis Marion University from other institutions.

Review of Mission Statement

The most recent review of the university mission statement occurred during the 2016 – 2017 academic year. Francis Marion University’s Board of Trustees approved revisions to the mission statement on November 17, 2016 [2], and the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education reviewed the proposed changes and approved the revised mission statement on February 2, 2017 [3].

Publication of Mission Statement

The most updated version of the mission statement is made available to the institution’s constituencies through two primary means: the Catalog 2017-2018 [4] and the university website [5]. By providing the mission both online and in print, the university is ensuring it is accessible to all its students, faculty, and staff.

Mission Statement’s Guidance of Activities and Decisions

The mission statement accurately guides the institution’s day-to-day operations. Table 1 below traces mission statement language throughout the Strategic Plan [6] and displays how the mission is therefore used in day-to-day activities. Table 2 connects the mission’s language to individual departments at the University.

University Mission Statement	Similar Language in Strategic Plan	Sample of Programs & Activities
To make available excellent educational programs for the people of the region and the state	2d. Engage in practices that support high acceptance rates into professional schools and graduate programs	Office of Career Development: Offers GRE Preparation and Graduate School Preparation Workshops for all students [7]
We serve students with a broad range of preparation and ability	2c. Raise overall admission standards while continuing to ensure educational access for students in the Pee Dee	Requirements for Admission: First-time freshman applicants will be evaluated on successfully completed college preparatory courses, high school grade-point average, and SAT or ACT scores [8]
We seek a wide variety of students, primarily from the Pee Dee region, but also from the entire state, other states, and foreign countries	2e. Provide for the needs of international students. 7b. Expand curricular offerings to non-traditional students and retirees and consider alternative delivery systems that might be more attractive to these groups	About FMU: While 95 percent of its students come from South Carolina, the University enrolls students from 36 states and 16 foreign countries, allowing students to experience the diversity of people from other cultures [9]
The University has outstanding faculty members, distinguished by high achievement and diverse academic backgrounds	3a. Continue to recruit faculty with excellent teaching skills and scholarly potential	About FMU: All faculty members have advanced degrees, and 81 percent of the full-time faculty hold doctoral or terminal degrees [10]
We provide traditional and, when appropriate, non-traditional instruction, access to an excellent library as well as electronic resources, and staff members committed to student learning and success	6a. Continue adequate funding for and updating of library resources	Rogers Library: The FMU Library is accessible both in person and online, with print and electronic resources available as well as access via Interlibrary Loan and PASCAL to materials state- and country-wide [11]
The University recognizes the importance of the out-of-the-classroom experience and offers opportunities for students to engage in activities that promote personal growth	11d. Provide support for artistic and cultural endeavors	Exchange Programs: Eligible students can spend a semester overseas at one of FMU's partner universities; shorter trips are also available through course offerings [12].
The University provides students with special learning opportunities, such as an honors program, internships, study abroad destinations and cooperative degree programs	9b. Explore cooperative work-study programs within the community	Cooperative Degree Programs: FMU partners with various SC Technical colleges,Clemson University, McLeod Regional Medical Center, and other accredited entities to best serve the needs of the students and the state [13]
The University provides faculty members with support for professional development through resources for innovative teaching, scholarship and service	8b. Explore external funding opportunities for faculty research and development. ● i. Enhance a proactive Grants Office. ● ii. Coordinate new funding efforts and initiatives across disciplines	Faculty Professional Development: Funds are available by request in order to promote new academic and creative experiences for faculty and students [14]
Numerous artistic and cultural activities, athletic programs, health initiatives and outreach efforts benefit our students and the community	7d. Provide a vibrant campus life through a variety of artistic, cultural and recreational events	Pee Dee Fiction and Poetry Festival: The University sponsors writers to come to campus, perform readings, and interact with students, faculty, and the community each fall semester. Many students are assigned texts from visiting authors in their classes [15].
To foster the economic development of the region, we offer consulting services to business, industry and government	10c. Engage with businesses to identify and meet their employment and consulting needs	The Kelley Center for Enterprise and Innovation: FMU partners with the city and county of Florence and Florence Darlington Technical College to help owners of small businesses become better navigators of government procurement processes [16]
Academic and practical assistance to area schools is basic to our endeavors	2b. Coordinate the existing efforts of academic areas to work with local schools	The School of Education's Center of Excellence to Prepare Teachers of Children of Poverty: Strives to prepare educators in the local area by providing workshops and service projects to undergraduate and graduate students [17]
Faculty and staff members participate in and contribute to a wide range of community activities	7g. Offer community outreach opportunities that will benefit area residents	Arts International: Annual event hosted by FMU that attracts diverse cultures to the local area [18]
Francis Marion emphasizes liberal arts education while offering new academic programs with innovative technology	5a. Provide students with more opportunities to develop technological skills for a global economy	Research Facility and Resources: The Department of Biology provides students with updated technology and has a variety of options for lab testing [19]

Table 1. Comparison of University Mission Statement & Strategic Plan to Programs & Activities

University Mission Statement	Examples of Similar Language in Department Mission Statements
To make available excellent educational programs for the people of the region and the state	Industrial Engineering: The mission of the Industrial Engineering program is to prepare undergraduate students with the skills, capabilities, confidence and knowledge to fulfill the local and regional needs of South Carolina [20]
We serve students with a broad range of preparation and ability	Mathematics: The department provides a broad range of entry-level courses in order to meet the needs of students with widely varying mathematical backgrounds and to provide them with skills appropriate for their selected majors [21]
We seek a wide variety of students, primarily from the Pee Dee region, but also from the entire state, other states, and foreign countries	Business: Seeks students locally and globally of all ages and ethnic backgrounds and serves them in a friendly, considerate manner [22]
The University has outstanding faculty members, distinguished by high achievement and diverse academic backgrounds	Physics and Astronomy: The department's programs seek to offer courses in astronomy, engineering, physical science, and physics that are taught by full-time faculty members with appropriate advanced degrees dedicated to science education at the university level [23]
A low student-faculty ratio and faculty concern for the individual student help us to achieve our goals	Business: Our small classroom environment promotes interaction among students and faculty [24]
The University provides students with special learning opportunities, such as an honors program, internships, study abroad destinations and cooperative degree programs	Sociology: The program prepares students to learn to think critically, to communicate effectively, to appreciate individual and cultural diversity, and to develop their skills in computer applications. The program also provides student[s] with opportunities for internships in applied settings [25]
We encourage all scholarly pursuits, including student research for courses and faculty research for presentation, publication and for use in the classroom	Mathematics: To maintain the vitality of the department and enhance the University's teaching mission, members of the department undertake new course development, conduct research, or pursue other avenues of faculty development [26]
Numerous artistic and cultural activities, athletic programs, health initiatives and outreach efforts benefit our students and the community	Theatre Arts: The program educates the student body at large and serves the community through quality performances that exhibit student and faculty artistic work and function as a laboratory for applying skills learned in the classroom and studio [27]
Faculty and staff members participate in and contribute to a wide range of community activities	Mathematics: The department serves the general public by hosting an annual high-school mathematics competition and by actively participating in workshops, seminars, science fairs, and other programs that support the region's general education and development [28]

Table 2. Comparison of University Mission Statement to Department Mission Statements

3.1.1 Mission

3.1.1

Compliance Judgment

Narrative

Review of Mission Statement

Publication of Mission Statement

Mission Statement’s Guidance of Activities and Decisions

Documentation

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