Section 2: CORE REQUIREMENTS

The institution has a governing board of at least five members that is the legal body with specific authority over the institution. The board is an active policy-making body for the institution and is ultimately responsible for ensuring that the financial resources of the institution are adequate to provide a sound educational program. The board is not controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or interests separate from it. Neither the presiding officer of the board nor the majority of other voting members of the board have contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the institution.

A military institution authorized and operated by the federal government to award degrees has a public board in which neither the presiding officer nor a majority of the other members are civilian employees of the military or active/retired military. The board has broad and significant influence upon the institution’s programs and operations, plays an active role in policy-making, and ensures that the financial resources of the institution are used to provide a sound educational program. The board is not controlled by a minority of board members or by organizations or interests separate from the board except as specified by the authorizing legislation. Neither the presiding officer of the board nor the majority of other voting board members have contractual, employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the institution.  (Governing Board)
 

The mission statement of the Center for Advanced Study of Museum Science and Heritage Management is in accordance with the mission of the Museum and TTU. The Museum mission is located on http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/   (specifically, in the strategic plan, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/stratPlan022103.pdf, and the university mission is here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/Catalog.html#Mission. A hard copy of the mission statement is located in the Administration Office of the Museum. The mission statement is contained in the strategic plan of the museum and is in accordance with that of the university. The 1998 accreditation report from the American Association of Museums (http://www.aam-us.org/) (the report is available in the Museum Administration Office) indicates that the mission statement of the museum is clear and appropriate for an institution with the scope of TTU, and conforms with the current standards for educational and artistic decisions.

The Center for the Advanced Study of Museum Science and Heritage Management falls under the institution-wide research-based planning in the evaluation process initiated by TTU. Because the Center is a newly established unit within the Museum of TTU it participated in the planning process as part of the Museum, and the recent extensive strategic planning process throughout the university. Established to be an evolutionary, ongoing process with annual assessment reports based on the written strategic plans, the Museum Strategic Plan can be found in the same locations as noted in #2.4 above. Assessment of Texas Tech is web-posted http://www.ttu.edu/stratplan/Assessment.php . Annual assessment reports for the Museum http://techdata.irs.ttu.edu/stratreport/  (specifically here http://www.irs.ttu.edu/SACS/AssessmentReports/37_0_2003.pdf) and a hard copy is located in Museum Administration Office. Currently there is no specialized accrediting or review body for Museum Science or Heritage Management academic programs.

The Center provides graduate instruction only. It offers masters degrees (MA and MS). Students enrolled in the Museum Science program receive an MA degree, and those in the Heritage Management program receive an MS degree. For the fall 2003, there were 44 students enrolled in the Centers pursuing graduate degrees in either Museum Science or Heritage Management.

Universal quantitative data can be found in assessment reports. 

The center offers two graduate degree programs requiring 45 semester credit hours for successful completion. See here http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/GRADMuseum.html for a description of the degree requirements for Museum Science, and here http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/GRADHeritage.html for a description of the degree requirements in Heritage Management.

Due to the nature of the Museum Science and Heritage Management programs, there is only one full-time faculty member. There are 10 full-time TTU employees involved in the instructional program, but all but one has other institutional or academic responsibilities. All faculty hold appropriate terminal degrees or qualifying experiences that meet the TTU Certification of Faculty Qualifications, OP 32.02, section 2, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP32.02.pdf.

In all instructional faculty, heavy work and teaching loads could be further exacerbated by increasing enrollments in Museum Science and Heritage Management. Faculty loads, however, reflect appropriately the TTU Faculty Academic Workload Policy, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP32.18.pdf. Changes in assignments have been made and further efforts are underway to redistribute responsibilities among existing faculty, coupled with requests for additional faculty in specific areas of need.

The TTU main Library supports the mission, objectives, degree programs, and research needs of the units of the Center. Additional specialized holdings are housed in the Museum’s Research Library. The Museum hires a qualified librarian to oversee the Library; however no specialized funding is provided to acquire books or publications for the Museum Library.

Student support programs, services, and activities in the Center are consistent with the mission of TTU, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/Catalog.html#Mission, and with the mission of the Center and purpose of TTU facilities and services is located in the 2004-2005  Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/Facilities.html.  All members of the Center faculty work with students, and the Center’s Director serves as the academic program advisor. The Director’s administrative assistant monitors issues related to matriculation such as degree audits, graduation checkouts, and other academic matters. The Museum Science program has an active student organization that supports and complements the academic mission of the college and the university. The Museum’s web site http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/   contains a great deal of information directed toward both current and prospective students.

The institution has a sound financial base and demonstrated financial stability, and adequate physical resources to support the mission of the institution and the scope of its programs and services.

The member institution provides the following financial statements: (a) an institutional audit (or Standard Review Report issued in accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and Review Services issued by the AICPA for those institutions audited as part of a systemwide or statewide audit) and written institutional management letter for the most recent fiscal year prepared by an independent certified public accountant and/or an appropriate governmental auditing agency employing the appropriate audit (or Standard Review Report) guide; (b) a statement of financial position of unrestricted net assets, exclusive of plant assets and plant-related debt, which represents the change in unrestricted net assets attributable to operations for the most recent year; and, (c) an annual budget that is preceded by sound planning, is subject to sound fiscal procedures, and is approved by the governing board.

Audit requirements for applicant institutions may be found in the Commission policy entitled "Accreditation Procedures for Applicant Institutions.  (Resources)

(Not applicable for the Compliance Certification submitted by institution).

Section 3:  COMPREHENSIVE STANDARDS

Institutional Mission, Governance, And Effectiveness

TTU publishes its mission statement here http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/Catalog.html#Mission and it is appropriate to an institution of higher education. The mission statement of the Museum is in accordance with the mission of the university. It is located on p.1 of the Museum Strategic Plan http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/stratPlan022103.pdf. A hard copy of the mission statement is located in the Museum Administration Office.  The mission statement in strategic plan for the Museum is in accordance with that of the university. The accreditation review report from the American Association of Museums indicates that the mission statement of the Museum is appropriate for an institution with the scope of TTU, that museum activities appear to be linked to the mission, goals and objectives, and that they appear to form the current and future basis for professional museums. The accreditation report is available in the Museum Administration Office.

The organizational structure of TTU is contained in OP 01.08, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP01.08.html . The organizational structure of the Museum is included in the accreditation self-study document available in the Museum Administration Office. This documentation is in accordance with the university policy as described in OP 30.01.

The institution has qualified administrative and academic officers with the experience,
competence, and capacity to lead the institution.

The institution defines and publishes policies regarding appointment and employment of
faculty and staff.

Operating policies regarding appointment and employment of faculty and staff include: 32.02 (Certification of Faculty Qualifications), 32.07 (Other Employment, Faculty Consulting, and Public Offices), 32.16 (Faculty Recruitment), 32.17 (Faculty Appointments and Titles), 32.34 (Faculty in Non-Tenure Acquiring Ranks), 70.11 (Staff Employees), 70.27 (Student Employees), 70.36 (Temporary Workers with (H1-B) Immigration Status). The college and its units conform to all university policies.

TTU and the Center have evaluation instruments for unit administrators in OP 30.15 http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP30.15.pdf. The Executive Director of the Museum and Director of the Center reports to the provost and is evaluated annually. Division heads and directors report to and are evaluated by the Executive Director.

The institution’s policies are clear concerning ownership of materials, compensation,
copyright issues, and the use of revenue derived from the creation and production of all
intellectual property. This applies to students, faculty and staff.

The means of determining institutional effectiveness are consistent with the mission of TTU, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/Catalog.html#Mission. TTU has recently undergone an extensive strategic planning process throughout the university which was established to be an evolutionary, ongoing process with annual assessment reports based on the written strategic plans of all units. Assessment of Texas Tech is web-posted http://www.ttu.edu/stratplan/Assessment.php.

Students are given a program handbook describing the assessment and review process required for successful completion of the academic programs. Hard copies are located in the Museum Administration Office. There is an ongoing planning and evaluation process that takes place relative to the changing requirements of the museum and heritage management professions.

Educational Programs

1. Identifies expected outcomes – Program outcomes are identified through a number of sources, including student handbooks and syllabi located in the Museum Administration Office.

2. Assesses whether expected outcomes are achieved – Assessment is done on many levels through formative and summative grading practices in courses, qualifying examination, comprehensive written and oral examinations, and thesis or internship evaluation. All students are thoroughly evaluated by a faculty committee prior to graduation.

3. Provides evidence of improvement based on assessment – Evidence of improvement can be noted through grade comparisons, written and oral feedback from professionals in the museum field, review processes, classroom evaluation, and final examinations. Evidence of improvement is demonstrated by job placement and professional competencies.  Courses are reviewed and revised annually to reflect current accepted practices in the museum field and student evaluations. Such revisions are a coordinated effort involving all faculty members.                   

Administrative Services

1. Identifies expected outcomes – Job descriptions and expectations are contained in unit faculty handbooks located in unit administrative offices. In addition, expected outcomes are listed in unit accreditation self-study, a copy of the Museum accreditation review is located in the Museum Administration Office.

2. Assesses whether expected outcomes are achieved – The Executive Director of the Museum and Center reports to the provost and is evaluated annually. The Associate Directors, Curators, and Division Directors report to and are evaluated annually by the Executive Director of the Museum. Faculty members are evaluated by students on a course basis. Site visits and subsequent visitor reports from the accrediting bodies serve as assessments of the Museum.

3. Provides evidence of improvement based on assessment – Annual reports and evaluations are reflective of improvements based on assessments. Evidence of improvement is demonstrated by scholarly publications, presentations at professional meetings, and awards for academic research. The success rate of graduates from the program is a good indication of the level of academic investment by faculty and staff. 

Educational Support Services

1. Identifies expected outcomes -- Job descriptions and expectations are contained in position description questionnaires reviewed by staff and faculty annually. In addition, expected outcomes are listed in the Museum accreditation self-study, a copy of which is located in the Museum Administrative Office. 

2. Assesses whether expected outcomes are achieved – Museum and Center level staff report to and are evaluated by the Executive Director. Unit level staff report to and are evaluated annually by division directors. Site visits and subsequent visitor reports from the accrediting body and external evaluation of faculty, staff, and student activities serve as assessments of expected outcomes.

3.  Provides evidence of improvement based on assessment – Annual faculty and course evaluations are reflective of improvements based on assessments. Evidence of improvement may additionally be found in staff and faculty teaching, research, and service activities. Information about such activities is in the annual assessment report a copy of which is retained in the Museum Administrative Office.

PROGRAMS

The approval process for adding, changing, and deleting courses, and changing the method of delivery is found in OP 36.01 http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP36.01.htm . The approval process for new academic programs, course approval for new programs, program termination, and changes in delivery format is found in OP 36.04 http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP36.04.htm . For Museum Science and Heritage Management programs, the teaching faculty develops, recommends, and reviews all courses. The Center director reviews all recommended courses of instruction to determine appropriateness for student needs and instructional feasibility.

b) Partial Compliance

The Museum and Center offer a variety of outreach, and service activities including numerous public programs, visiting artists and lecturers, and exhibitions, educational outreach with regional public schools, festivals, workshops, summer youth programs. Students are actively involved in internships throughout the state, nation, and abroad. Information regarding other TTU programs can be found in the 2004-2005 Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/Catalog.html. The activities described above are consistent with the mission of TTU, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/Catalog.html#Mission, and of the Museum, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/stratPlan022103.pdf.

Information on admissions can be found for the university here: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/Admission.html; see here http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/GRADMuseum.html for a description of the degree requirements for Museum Science, and here http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/GRADHeritage.html for a description of the degree requirements in Heritage Management. Policies within the Center are consistent with the mission of TTU, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/Catalog.html#Mission, and with the general mission of the Museum and its constituent units, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/stratPlan022103.pdf.

Information on evaluating, awarding, and accepting credit outlined in this standard can be found in the 2004-2005 Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/Admission.html, for the university. Policies within the Center are consistent with the mission of TTU, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/Catalog.html#Mission.

Information on academic policies can be found in the 2004-2005 Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/AcademicsRegulations.html for the university. See here http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/GRADMuseum.html for a description of the degree requirements for Museum Science, and here http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/GRADHeritage.html for a description of the degree requirements in Heritage Management. The policies and practices of the Center are consistent with the mission of TTU. Operating Policies 10.01-10.11 (Administration), 30.01-30.27 (General), 32.01-32.34 (Faculty), and 34.01-34.23 (Students) also address academic policies http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual.

A list of facilities and services is in the 2004-2005 Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/Facilities.html. The Center faculty and Museum staff work with students, and a program director/advisor who manages a myriad of issues related to matriculation such as degree audits, graduation checkouts, and other academic matters. Reference holdings in addition to those in the Museum Research Library requested by faculty, staff, and students are acquired based on fund availability. There is an active student organization (MSSA) that supports and complements the academic mission of the Museum, Center, and the university. The Museum web site http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/  contains a great deal of information for current and prospective students including advisement, scholarship opportunities, calendars, and schedules.

Program requirements for graduate studies are located in the TTU catalog.  See here http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/GRADMuseum.html for a description of the degree requirements for Museum Science, and here http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/GRADHeritage.html for a description of the degree requirements in Heritage Management.  There is no external accrediting body for Heritage Management or Museum Science. However, the Museum Science program is recognized as one of the top five in the country. In two surveys, one conducted by the museum training committee of the American Association of Museums (AAM) and the second by the University of Nebraska, the TTU program was placed in the top tier. The Heritage Management program is unique in the US. It is currently under funded, but will gain recognition and an increased student enrollment with national and international recruitment. When it reaches its full potential, this program will overshadow the Museum Science program and be a center of excellence for the university. Information about the Center and the related assessments is located in the Museum Administration Office. A copy of the Museum Science program evaluation conducted by the TTU Graduate School should be on file in the Office of the Graduate School Dean and the Office of the Vice Provost.

TTU keeps student records electronically on TechSIS, which is password protected. The Center and both units also maintain student records both electronically and in hard copy format. Student files are located in secure areas with restricted access. TTU adheres to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

The faculty of the Center has primary responsibility for the content, quality, and effectiveness of its curricula. The approval process for adding, changing, and deleting courses, and changing the method of delivery is found in OP 36.01 http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP36.01.htm.

Compliance

The institution’s use of technology enhances student learning, is appropriate for meeting the
objectives of its programs, and ensures that students have access to and training in the use
of technology.

Coursework in technology is required of all Museum Science graduate students as part of the Core Curriculum, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/AcademicsCore.html. Students enrolled in the Heritage Management degree program are required to successfully complete a course of study in either Museum Data Management (MUSM 5340) or Advanced Database Management Systems (CS 5356). Other activities support specific technology needs relative to students’ courses of study

Compliance

TTU OP 34.09, section 2.a. states the 25% rule http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP34.09.pdf . The rule is also published in the TTU catalog,  http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/Academics.html#DegreeReqs

The programs of study offered through the Center are at the graduate level only. There is no established baccalaureate prerequisite for admission to the Museum Science or Heritage Management degree programs. Consequently, there is no progression from the baccalaureate level; however, courses offered in Center curricula are progressive (sequential) in content. Institutional requirements reflecting advanced academic content are found in the TTU Catalog,  http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/GRADMasters.html  (Masters) and http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/GRADDoctoral.html (doctorate).

Conformity to the standards of unit accrediting organizations ensures that its graduate instruction and resources foster independent learning, enabling the graduate to contribute to a profession or field of study. Additional attention to meeting professional standards is derived through the Annual Assessment Reports of the institution, its colleges, and its units.

Minimum residence requirements and regulations regarding transferred work are published in the TTU Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/GRADDoctoral.html

All faculty hold appropriate degrees or qualifying experiences that meet the TTU Certification of Faculty Qualifications, OP 32.02, section 2, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP32.02.pdf.  A faculty qualifications spreadsheet has been prepared and made available in the format requested by SACS.  Some faculty are shared with other TTU departments; these all hold appropriate terminal degrees for their fields.  The faculty teaching specifically in Museum Science/Heritage Management have degrees appropriate to their specialties and/or appropriate experience as shown in the spreadsheet.

TTU regularly evaluates the effectiveness of each faculty member in accordance with published criteria. Performance evaluation of faculty is detailed in OP 32.32, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP32.32.html, and comprehensive performance evaluation of tenured faculty members and faculty members who receive an academic promotion is detailed in OP 32.31, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP32.31.html.

Evidence of ongoing professional development is a part of the annual report. The Museum encourages and supports the faculty to attend professional meetings for purposes of professional development. 

TTU subscribes to academic freedom. OP 30.09, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP30.09.html, Academic Freedom and Artistic Expression, specifically addresses the presentation of works in the visual and performing arts.  In addition to TTU policy, the Museum and Center have policies that ensure academic freedom and research independence. A copy of these polices is located in the Museum Administration Office.

Compliance

TTU OP 32.06, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP32.06.pdf , Faculty Responsibility, outlines expectations in the areas of teaching, research and creative activity, and service. The Museum has its own governance procedures that outline curatorial and faculty responsibilities and authority within the Museum. A copy of these procedures and the related policies are maintained in the Museum Administration Office.

Generally, the TTU main Library supports the mission, objectives, degree programs, and research needs of the Museum Science and Heritage Management students and faculty. Additional holdings are housed in the Museum. Staffing in the University Library works closely with the Museum and Center to select and acquire appropriate supportive material. Beyond these resources, the Museum provides computer access in various locations.

Library staff is available for instruction in the use of their facilities and resources on a formal or informal basis. In addition, faculty members often provide instruction through their research-based courses that use the resources.  The research library is accessible to students during the hours the Museum is open to the public. This arrangement is the result of security issues and external access to the Museum.

Compliance

A sufficient number of qualified staff is provided. The Museum employs a qualified librarian to oversee library activities.

Student rights and responsibilities are published in the TTU Catalog, http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/catalog/AcademicsRegulations.html , and in the Student Affairs Handbook http://www.studentaffairs.ttu.edu/publications/student_handbook0405.pdf.

TTU keeps student records electronically on TechSIS, which is password protected. The Center also maintains student records both electronically and in hard copy format. Student files are located in secure areas with restricted access. TTU adheres to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

The Museum and Center employ qualified personnel in all positions that provide student services.

RESOURCES

Facilities for the Center are primarily located in the Museum of TTU a purpose built structure constructed in 1970. Since it was opened to the public, the Museum has added 70,000 square feet of public and research space. It is currently adding an 18,000 square foot expansion to the Natural Science Research Laboratory (NSRL). In total, students enrolled in the Center have access to more than 200,000 square feet of public and research space. Within the Museum building are four classrooms, a library, and faculty offices. The NSRL addition includes one classroom, a reference library, student offices, and individual research spaces.

Students enrolled in both Museum Science and Heritage Management take courses in locations across the TTU campus. Students may select courses to complement their career objectives. Numerous existing degree programs and non‑degree supporting fields are open to students enrolled in either Museum Science or Heritage Manage­ment programs. For example, the faculty from the following depart­ments will work with students to enhance their graduate education.

Anthropology                                                   Architecture
Biological Sciences                                            Fine Arts
Mass Communication                                         Computer Science
History                                                            Political Science
Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management

Collateral course opportunities are as expansive as the interests of the individual student.

Section 4:  FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS

Due in part to the close working relationship between the faculty and students, and the interaction inherent in the programs, most students successfully complete the requisite program of study. 

Center personnel give careful attention to student retention, overall GPAs, graduation rates. A graduate record is maintained that follows students after graduation and an annual gathering is held for interested alumni. Job placement is a part of the ongoing student record.

The various curricula offered through the Center are directly related and appropriate to the purpose and goals of the institution and the degrees awarded. Faculty advisers are directly involved in professional activities that relate to the degrees offered, and they are constantly upgrading both theoretical and practical instruction.