GENERAL INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Mission (1-2)1. The institution has a formal statement of its mission The mission statement and discussion of the University's mission and purpose in included in the response to criterion 1 of the self-study. 2. The institution Is degree-granting institution As a part of the University's educational mission, it confers certificates, diplomas, or degrees. The degrees offered include bachelor's, master's, doctoral, professional degrees and post —baccalaureate certificates. A list of degrees conferred is included in Data Form F. Authorization (3-4)3. The institution has authority to grant degrees and operate as higher education institution wherever it conducts its activities The University has legal authority to confer its certificates, diplomas and degrees pursuant to the authority granted the Board of Regents by the Constitution of the State of Michigan, Article 8, Section 5 and the Public Act Number 151, Section 11, of the Michigan Public Acts of 1851. 4. The institution has legal documents to confirm not-for-profit status In 1961, the Internal Revenue granted the University 501(c) (3) status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Documents confirming this status can be found with other institutional materials set aside for the visiting team. Governance (5-8)5-6. Board of Regents: possess and exercise necessary legal power to establish and review basic policies that govern the institution; autonomous, public members The constitution of the State of Michigan of 1963 (Article VII, Section 5) (http://www.migov.state.mi.us/constitution/ConstitutionoftheStateofMichigan.htm) reconfirmed that the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan is a 'body corporate' that has general supervision of its institution and the control and direction of all expenditures from the institution's funds". The Board consists of eight members who are elected by a state-wide vote of the state's citizens. The eight year terms of board members are staggered so that the terms of two members expire every other year. The President, serving as a ex-officio member, presides at Board meetings. 7. President and executive officer designated by the Regents The Constitution grants the Board authority to appoint the President; it states that the Board "shall elect a president of the institution under its supervision" who serves as the principle executive officer of the institution. 8. Regents authorize affiliation with NCA/CIHE The University of Michigan has been a charter member of the North Central Association of Colleges since 1895 and has been continuously accredited since 1913. Faculty (9-11)9-10. Faculty have appropriate degrees & sufficient number are full-time The University's governing faculty consists of all individuals who hold the rank of professor, assistant professor, instructor and lecturer with appointments of one half-time or more. A summary of the degrees earned and appointment status can be found in Basic Institutional Data Form C. 11. Have role in developing, evaluating educational programs The faculty proposes and develops programs. Program proposals undergo a multi-level review process, involving faculty at the department level and at the school and college level. Educational Program (12-18)12. The institution confers degrees Degrees are awarded to each student who meets the requirements for an identified program of study. 13. The institution has operating degree programs The University has operating degree programs. As of Fall 1999, there are over 37,000 students enrolled in over 600 programs. 14. Degree programs are linked to mission, based on recognized fields of study in higher education The University offers a wide range of degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. These educational programs are compatible with the comprehensive nature of the institution's mission. They are also consistent with the kinds of programs offered at similar institutions of higher education. This topic is also addressed in criterion 3 of the comprehensive report. 15. Degrees are appropriately named Degree names and the length of programs are consistent with those of similar institutions. Program names and lengths are set out in the catalogs and bulletins of the various schools and colleges. 16. Undergraduate degree programs include general education requirement The University offers a wide range of programs and courses, ensuring sufficient breadth and depth in the first two years of undergraduate education. The various schools and colleges all require that as freshmen and sophomores students take courses in social sciences, humanities, mathematics and sciences. Each school and college sets out specific distribution requirements in its catalog or bulletin. The centrality and importance of broad-based learning are articulated in these publications. 17. Admission policies and practices are appropriate Applicants to undergraduate and graduate schools and programs are admitted based on their ability to succeed in a competitive academic environment. The University of Michigan employs multiple criteria in assessing applicants, including past performance, preparation, promise and diversity. No single, specific class rank, grade point average, standardized test score, or other qualification in and of itself will assure admission. The University's high retention and graduation rates attest to the appropriateness of its admissions policies. The University maintains its commitment to a heterogeneous student body. Students represent diverse social, ethnic and economic backgrounds and come from every county in the State of Michigan, from all 50 States and from more than 100 hundred different countries. 18. Provides access to learning resources and support services The University provides learning resources and support services through an array of facilities and academic support units. The University grants students access to its numerous museums, over 20 libraries and collections, and field locations. Up to date technologies are provided in the libraries, classrooms, and laboratories. Libraries, dormitories and centralized facilities provide almost unlimited access to computers and related technologies. The Office of the Vice President of Student Services, as well as various units within the schools and colleges offer academic and extra-curricular support services. Finances (19-21)19. External financial audit at least every two years The University of Michigan’s financial statements are externally audited on a yearly basis. The most recent Financial Report for the year ended June 30, 1999, was audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, and their report appears on page 21 of the University of Michigan Financial Report, 1999. The Financial Report is a public document and is available upon request. 20. Financial documents show the appropriate allocation and use of resources The University of Michigan has a number of policies and procedures in place to ensure the appropriate allocation and use of resources. Policies and procedures governing financial resources are established in the Standard Practice Guide (http://www.umich.edu/~spgonlin/). The Office of Financial Operations also provides information on policies and procedures (http://www.umich.edu/~finops/index_js.htm). Finally, the Office of University Audits undertakes internal audits of all University units on a periodic basis in order to ensure proper controls and adherence to these policies and procedures. The University’s Budget is published annually and is publicly accessible at locations such as the University Libraries. The Budget shows the sources of the operating budget and how it has been allocated by function and organizational unit. In addition, various summary reports on trends in revenues and expenditures, both actual and budgeted figures, are prepared during the year by the Office of Budget and Planning and distributed to University units as part of the annual budget process. This information supplements information published in the annual Financial Report and the University’s Budget. 21. Financial practices, records, and reports demonstrate fiscal viability The annual Financial Reports and the Budgets document the financial position and activities of the University. They demonstrate that the University’s current operating budget of $3.2 billion comes from a variety of sources that have been stable over time. One of the University of Michigan’s greatest strengths and a major factor in keeping it among the great universities of the country is voluntary private support from individuals, industry, foundations, and corporations, along with sponsored programs from the federal government. The University has in the past and will continue to aggressively seek funding from all possible sources such as these and to manage prudently the financial resources realized from these efforts.
Public information (22-24)22. Catalogs and other documents include mission statement and accurate description of programs, admissions policies, learning resources, academic and non-academic policies; charges and refund policies; credentials of faculty and administrators At the University of Michigan, each school, college, and division publishes its own bulletin. These bulletins describe the educational programs offered, the faculty and their credentials, learning resources, academic policies and procedures, admissions policies, residence regulations and fee regulations. All schools, colleges, and divisions all make this information available through individual websites that can be accessed through the University’s gateway (http://www.umich.edu/). In addition many departments also publish program brochures and maintain websites that contain information of this type. Student application materials published by the various admitting offices on campus also provide information on programs, admissions policies, learning resources, and the like. The fee schedule and refund policies are published each term by the Office of the Registrar in the Schedule of Classes (a.k.a. the Time Schedule). Students receive the Schedule at the time of registration. The information is also available at their website (http://www.umich.edu/~regoff/tuitmenu.html).
23. Discloses affiliation with accrediting bodies The accreditation status of the University of Michigan colleges, schools, divisions, and programs are listed in the various bulletins and other documents where that information is relevant. 24. Makes available information describing financial condition The University’s Budget, audited financial statements and other financial documents are public documents, available in the Office of the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. |