I. CONTEXT AND NATURE OF VISIT

A. Purpose of Visit:

The purpose of the visit is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation for continued accreditation of Saginaw Valley State University.

B. Institutional Context:

Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) was chartered as a private institution, Saginaw Valley College, in 1963. The first class of 119 students was admitted in 1964, and state-assisted status was granted in 1965. The name of the institution was changed to Saginaw Valley State College in 1975, and to Saginaw Valley State University in 1987. Approximately 40% of all students are enrolled in the College of Education. The institution offers 68 undergraduate and eight master’s programs, and the Educational Specialist degree. Since the last site visit in 1994, significant increases have occurred in enrollment (6,975 to 9,168), full-time faculty (244 to 406), and full-time staff (176 to 269). An investment of more than $170 million resulted in new and spacious facilities that have doubled the square footage of campus facilities during the past decade. As a result of recent investments in infrastructure and training, 94% of all classrooms are now equipped with state-of-the-art instructional technology.

Throughout most of its 40-year history, SVSU has been a commuter campus serving primarily non-traditional students. As a result of recent shifts in enrollment patterns, traditional college age students now comprise approximately 50% of the student body. The institution has responded to these changes with construction of residence halls (Living Centers), reorganization of the division of Student Services, and an expanded schedule of classes during the day. Approximately 1,600 students reside on campus, and the construction of additional Living Centers is under consideration. Graduate education courses were taught in facilities of the Macomb Intermediate School District during the last visit. Since that time, the institution has developed its own facility in this area, the Macomb Graduate Education Center. Goals set forth in the most recent strategic plan as presented in the document, Next Steps 2000-2005, serve to guide institutional planning and decision-making.

The institution received accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as a baccalaureate degree granting institution in 1970. Approval to offer master’s degree programs was granted in 1974, and the HLC authorized a change in affiliation status to offer the Educational Specialist degree in 2000.

C. Unique Aspects of Visit:

None

D. Sites or Branch Campuses Visited:

One team member visited the Macomb Graduate Education Center located near Detroit. All degree requirements for selected master’s degree programs can be met in this facility. Approximately 800 graduate students are enrolled at the Macomb Center.

E. Distance Education Reviewed:

The Web-based course management system, Blackboard, has been acquired to support instruction both on-campus and in distant locations.

F. Interactions with Institutional Constituencies:

1. SVSU Board of Control
2. President
3. Vice-President for Academic Affairs
4. Vice-President for Administration and Business Affairs
5. Vice-President for Public Affairs
6. Vice-President for Student Services and Enrollment Management
7. Assistant Vice-President for Academic Affairs and Director of Assessment
8. Assistant Vice-President and Registrar/Director of Institutional Research
9. Special Assistant to the President for Diversity Programs
10. Special Assistant to the President for Government Relations
11. Special Assistant to the President for International Programs
12. Assistant Vice-President for Campus Facilities
13. University Ombudsman
14. Executive Assistant to the President
15. Executive Director, Information Technology
16. Executive Director, Center for Business and Economic Development
17. Dean, College of Nursing and Health Sciences
18. Dean, College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences
19. Dean, College of Education
20. Dean, College of Science, Engineering and Technology
21. Director of Library/Learning Resources
22. Director of Sponsored and Academic Programs Support
23. Director, Graduate Admissions
24. Director, Undergraduate Admissions
25. Director, Academic Advisement Center
26. Director, Disability Services
27. Director, Scholarships and Financial Aid
28. Director, Instructional Support Programs
29. Director, Office of Minority Student Services
30. Director, Writing
31. Director, University Communications
32. Academic Department Chairs
33. Undergraduate Faculty
34. Graduate Faculty
35. Staff
36. Undergraduate Students
37. Graduate Students
38. Graduate School Program Coordinators
39. Chair, Diversity Section of the SVSU Self-Study
40. President of the Faculty Association
41. General Education Committee
42. Curriculum and Academic Policy Committee
43. Professional Practices Committee
44. Executive Committee of the Faculty Association
45. Associate Director of Athletics
46. Senior Administrator for Womens’ Athletics

G. Principal Documents, Materials, and Web Pages Reviewed:

1. Academic Program Assessment Task Force Report1996
2. Academic Technology Plan. Teaching and Learning with Technology Roundtable (TLTR). 2001 subcommittee
3. Administration & Business Affairs Division. Employee Satisfaction Survey. 2003
4. Affirmative Action Monitoring Report 2002-2003
5. Alumni Survey
6. Budgets. General Fund, State Appropriations and Auxiliary. SVSU
7. Cardinal Athletics: The Student-Athlete Handbook
8. Cardinal Sins
9. Cardinalis
10. CIRP (Cooperative Institutional Research Program Freshman Survey)
11. College Catalog, 2002/2004. (available on-line)
12. College of Business and Management. 2003 Accreditation Report.
13. Constancy to Purpose. 1995.
14. Contracts: Faculty 2002-2005 & Secretary and Clerical
15. CSS (College Student Survey).
16. Diversity and the Curriculum
17. Diversity Mission Statement. Diversity Programs
18. Evaluation Team Report. 1994
19. Faculty Research Bulletin.
20. Faculty Roster – March 2004
21. Financial Report 2001-2002 (Expanded Version)
22. Financial Report 2003-2004 (Expanded Version)
23. Foundation documents - Campaign for Distinction. 1997, Creating the Future Campaign. 2002
24. Funding Opportunities
25. Gender Equity Survey 2002
26. General Education Report
27. “Hallmarks of an Effective Self-Study Process,” included in the new Higher Learning Commission Workbook
28. Interior. (available on-line)
29. Literacy Link
30. Mission Statement. SVSU (available on-line)
31. Mundo Latino
32. Promises to Keep.1990
33. Public Affairs/Development and SVSU Foundation. Assessment Measures:SVSU Endowment and University Communications
34. Purpose Statement (available on-line)
35. Resolution to Modify the General Fund Operating Budget for FY 2003-2004
36. Right-Sizing the University: Enrollment Goals for the Next Decade. Long-term Enrollment Planning Group
37. Self-Study Updates (available on-line)
38. Statement on Cultural Diversity. Board of Control
39. Student Athlete Survey Instrument and Winter 2003 Results
40. Student Happenings
41. Student Satisfaction Survey. 2001
42. SVSU Operations Manual. (available on-line)
43. SVSU Self-Study. 1994 (available on-line)
44. SVSU Website
45. SVSU Athletics Report on Agreed-Upon Procedures (June 30, 2002)
46. SVSU Graduation Rates Report to NCAA 1996-1997 Freshman Class
47. SVSU Faculty Contract 2002-2005
48. SVSU Support Staff Association Contract 2003-2006
49. SVSU Adjunct Faculty Handbook 2003-2004
50. SVSU Student Handbook 2003-2004
51. SVSU Catalog 2002-2004
52. SVSU Strategic Plan – Next Steps 2000-2005
53. SVSU Grants Contracts & Sponsored Research ‘03
54. SVSU 40th Anniversary View Book
55. SVSU Information Technology Services Brochure and CD
56. University Housing. ACUHO-I/EBI Resident Study. Winter 2000
57. Updated Basic Institutional Data Form C, Part 3 – Part-Time Instructional Staff
58. Valley Vanguard
59. Vision Statement. SVSU (available on-line)
60. Zahnow Notes (available on-line)