Middle States Association  Standards

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Standard 6

            Integrity      
           
In the conduct of its programs and activities involving the public and the constituencies it serves, the institution demonstrates adherence to ethical standards and its own stated policies, providing support to academic and intellectual freedom.

Fundamental Elements of Institutional Assessment

Relative to this standard, an accredited institution is characterized by

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fair and impartial processes, published and widely available, to address student grievances, such as alleged violations of institutional policies. The institution assures that student grievances are addressed promptly, appropriately, and equitably; (6FE 1 Data)

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fair and impartial practices in the hiring, evaluation and dismissal of employees;         (6FE2 Data)

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sound ethical practices and respect for individuals through its teaching, scholarship/ research, service, and administrative practice, including the avoidance of conflict of interest or the appearance of such conflict in all its activities and among all its constituents;           (6FE 3 Data)

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equitable and appropriately consistent treatment of constituencies, as evident in such areas as student discipline, student evaluation, grievance procedures, faculty promotion, tenure, retention and compensation, administrative review, curricular improvement, and institutional governance and management; (6FE4 Data)

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a climate of academic inquiry and engagement supported by widely disseminated policies regarding academic and intellectual freedom; (6FE5 Data)

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an institutional commitment to principles of protecting intellectual property rights;          (6FE6 Data)

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a climate that fosters respect among students, faculty, staff, and administration for a range of backgrounds, ideas, and perspectives; (6FE7 Data)

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honesty and truthfulness in public relations announcements, advertisements, and recruiting and admissions materials; (6FE8 Data)

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reasonable, continuing student access to paper or electronic catalogs;  (6FE9 Data)

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when catalogs are available only electronically, the institution's web page provides a guide or index to catalog information for each catalog available electronically; (6FE10 Data)

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when catalogs are available only electronically, the institution archives copies of the catalogs as sections or policies are updated;  (6FE11 Data)

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availability of factual information about the institution, such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education annual data reporting, the self-study or periodic review report, the team report, and the Commissions action, accurately reported and made publicly available to the institutions community; (6FE12 Data)

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institutional information provided in a manner that ensures student and public access, such as print, electronic, or video presentation; (6FE13 Data)

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fulfillment of all applicable standards and reporting and "other requirements of the Commission; and (6FE14 Data)

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periodic assessment of the integrity evidenced in institutional policies, processes, practices, and the. manner in which these are implemented. (6FE15 Data)

 

 Optional Analysis and Evidence:

       National Survey of Student Engagement: Institutional Environment (1. e, u, v; 7. c; 8. a-c; 10. c; 11.i, k, l, n, o, p)
      2004
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