Report of Visit to MTU

The Evaluation Team visited MTU January 12-14, 1998, and delivered a tentative and preliminary set of commendations, advice, concerns, and recommendations, which are provided below. Concerns are issues which the University is expected to address prior to the next comprehensive evaluation, which the Team recommended be scheduled for 2007/8.

The final Team Report will be completed in mid-February. A final decision by NCA on reaccreditation will be not be made until summer 1998.

Commendations

1. Michigan Technological University is commended for recruiting and retaining a talented and committed faculty who have expanded graduate education and research while remaining dedicated to undergraduate education.
2. Michigan Technological University is commended for attracting bright, articulate, industrious, and fairminded students who are concerned both for their own intellectual development and for the welfare of the institution.
3. Michigan Technological University is commended for its accomplished and dedicated professional and support staff who provide essential services to the institution.
4. Michigan Technological University is commended for the leadership of its senior administration and their commitment to linking academic and financial planning, and to major development efforts.
5. Michigan Technological University is commended for developing shared governance among students, faculty, staff and administration.
6. Michigan Technological University is commended for creating a self-study report that is linked to its strategic plan. It is both informative and comprehensive about strengths and weaknesses of the institution.
7. Michigan Technological University is commended for developing innovative responses to the distance education needs of the Michigan corporate sector.
8. Michigan Technological University is commended for its warm and healthy community - both internal and external.

Advice

1. It is recommended that the Board of Control and the Administration give high priority to improving the salary structure for faculty and professional staff.
2. It is recommended that the administration develop a comprehensive plan to deal with such economic challenges as: operating new buildings, improving salaries, converting to semesters, and increasing research. This plan should be reviewed with the Academic Forum, the University Senate, and the Board of Control.
3. It is recommended that the Board of Control establish financial policies that preserve the University's debt rating and long-term financial strength.
4. It is recommended that the Board of Control expand its practice of opening its agenda to input from students, faculty, and staff. The Board is encouraged to explore other avenues to improve communication. Creation of a web page to facilitate input is one possibility.
5. It is recommended that the practice of diverting auxiliary fund balances into the general fund be reviewed ensure that improvements can be made in th auxiliary enterprise operations.
6. It is recommended that a strategic plan be developed to increase the size and scope of library resources for undergraduate and graduate education and research.
7. It is recommended that the University create formal mechanisms whereby a designated senior administrator receives regular input from students, especially the student government, about policy issues of concern to students.
8. It is recommended that academic and financial planning be further linked to shared governance through appropriate Senate committees.
9. It is recommended that a broader range of faculty become involved in the development of distance education. The University should develop protocols for the approval of courses and degrees offered by distance education.
10. It is recommended that the University consider ways of further expanding and coordinating its efforts in international education and environmental programs.
11. It is recommended that the University develop a specific plan to promote diversity among students, faculty, and staff. This would include implementation of on-going programs to improve the climate - on campus and in the community - for women, under-represented groups, and international students.
12. The University is encouraged to continue its newly-established schedule of periodic reviews of academic programs, including research institutes.
13. The University is encouraged to establish a goal to bring appropriate industry to the Houghton area.

Concerns

1. The University has not yet addressed concerns expressed by the 1988 North Central review of the library, and current plans are inadequate.
2. The general education program is in flux because of the change to the semester system and cannot be reviewed at the present time.
3. The University may not fully appreciate the implications of its goal to move the the status of a Carnegie Research University II in terms of infrastructure demands such as: grants monitoring, environmental monitoring, and additional demands placed on the library.
4. The size of the physical plant and scope of programs at the student union are inadequate.
5. The University appears not to have a detailed plan to cover ongoing costs of existing and projected programs.
6. Delays by the Board of Control in implementing University policy and procedure leads to frustration on the part of those who have worked hard to prepare materials for the Board consideration.

Recommendations

1. New degree sites: No prior Commission approval required to offer degree programs throughout Michigan. No prior Commission approval required to offer campus-approved courses and degree programs to regional companies and their subsidiaries at remote sites:
2. Progress reports required:
   • A report by February 1, 2001, on academic program review.
   • A report by 1 February, 2003, on the revised general education program and its assessment.
3. Monitoring report required:
   • A report by 1 February, 2001, on the development of undergraduate and graduate distance education degree programs.
4. Next comprehensive evaluation: 2007-08.