DSU HLC Conceptual Foundation Document – HLC Self Study & Planning the Path Forward
DICKINSON STATE UNIVERSITY
SELF-STUDY/PLANNING CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATION
Grounding our HLC Self-Study & Planning the Path Forward
Introduction
Accredited from 1928-1934, and again from 1949 to the present, Dickinson State University
(DSU) has expanded from its inception as a Normal School with a focus on preparing teachers to a
regional university comprised of two colleges and 11 academic departments, that offers 53 bachelor’s
programs, four associate’s programs and two certificate programs. DSU is accredited by the Higher
Learning Commission (HLC) but was placed on Notice in July 2012. In February of 2013, DSU submitted
to the HLC, a Notice Report detailing specific responses and corrective actions providing evidence to
demonstrate that the University was no longer pursuing a course of action that could lead it to be out of
compliance with accreditation criteria. That evidence was validated through an on-site Focused Visit
(April 2013) and, as of this writing, DSU has received affirmation that the recommendation from the HLC
Focused Visit team has been moved forward recommending removal of the Notice sanction. DSU’s next
comprehensive accreditation visit will be in March 2015 under the HLC Program to Evaluate and
Advance Quality (PEAQ).
Purpose: The purpose of this document is to establish a conceptual foundation for DSU’s HLC
PEAQ Self-Study process and our campus-wide efforts to collectively plan our path forward. This
document creates a written foundation of understanding and explicit reaffirmation of support for
Dickinson State University’s (DSU) Mission and Vision. Through clarifying statements we embrace our
identity and give life to the Mission and Vision so that we can strategically navigate our future and plan
our path forward. Defining the institution as DSU students, faculty, staff, and constituents, we move
forward in concert to not only fulfill the Mission and Vision we claim, but to living them out on campus
and beyond.
Mission/Vision History: The DSU Mission was presented to the North Dakota (ND) State Board
of Higher Education and adopted in 1992. DSU faculty, staff and students comprised a working
committee to discern and establish DSU’s commitment regarding educational excellence and service to
the citizens of North Dakota. DSU’s State approved Mission reads as follows:
Dickinson State University is a regional four-year institution within the North Dakota
University System, whose primary role is to contribute to the intellectual, social, economic,
and cultural development, especially to Southwestern North Dakota. The University’s mission
is to provide high-quality, accessible programs; to promote excellence in teaching and
learning; to support scholarly and creative activities; and to provide service relevant to the
economy, health, and quality of life of the citizens of the State of North Dakota.
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DSU HLC Conceptual Foundation Document – HLC Self Study & Planning the Path Forward
The Vision was created during the 2008-2009 academic year through the 2015 DSU Future
Focused Committee. This committee was comprised of faculty, staff, students and constituents. The
Vision was revisited in 2012 by the DSU Higher Learning Commission Team Leaders as they worked with
their committees to prepare for DSU’s accreditation self-study. The Vision was again revisited over the
course of the 2012-2013 academic year, during which DSU faculty, staff, and students were asked (via
electronic communications) to respond to the Vision statement in terms of affirmation and/or
recommendations for modification. With a minor modification, our Vision was reaffirmed.
Mission/Vision Timeline Summary: Mission adopted by NDUS 12-17-1992—opportunities for
reaffirmation by NDUS 2004, 2010—no changes made. Vision created 2008-2009 by the 2015 FutureFocused Committee; revisited by the DSU HLC Team Leaders 2012; input sought from faculty, staff and
students October 2012 through DSU list serve responses.
Living our Vision and Mission – Operationalizing Meaning
Vision: “Dickinson State University will be recognized as a premier university in the Upper Great
Plains, educating a diverse population through innovative teaching, learning and scholarship that foster
responsible citizens who impact the world.”
The Vision statement represents an aspirational and inspirational description of who we want to
be and what we strive to achieve. It is our institutional/organizational North Star, and as such it defines
and delimits who we are working to become. Based on our Vision, we assert that DSU is an educational
institution committed to and grounded in:
1) a liberating education
2) valuing and delivering innovative teaching, learning and scholarship; and,
3) educating an increasingly diverse population and thereby fostering engaged and
empowered citizens to serve and positively impact the world.
4) our motto: Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve (Samuel T. May – DSU’s 1st President, 1923)
Charge to HLC Teams – Planning the Path Forward: What does this mean…What does this look
like for us (DSU) in 2020?
Mission (Mission, Role and Scope Statement, 12/17/92): “Dickinson State University is a regional
four-year institution within the North Dakota University System, whose primary role is to contribute to
the intellectual, social, economic, and cultural development, especially to Southwestern North Dakota.
The University’s mission is to provide high-quality, accessible programs; to promote excellence in
teaching and learning; to support scholarly and creative activities; and to provide service relevant to the
economy, health, and quality of life of the citizens of the State of North Dakota.”
The Mission statement is a guiding statement of purpose. It provides the parameters within
which the organization moves forward toward its aspirational vision. Our Mission authenticates and
operationalizes our Vision. This means that:
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DSU HLC Conceptual Foundation Document – HLC Self Study & Planning the Path Forward
1) DSU is committed to offering students high quality and accessible programs.
2) DSU promotes excellence in teaching and learning.
3) DSU supports scholarly and creative activities both in and beyond the classroom—for its
students, its faculty and staff, and its citizen constituents.
4) DSU provides education and service on its own and through collaborative efforts which are
relevant to the economy, to health, and to the quality of life; thus contributing to the
intellectual, social, economic and cultural development of its citizenry and beyond.
Education and Service – Examples of DSU’s contributions:
 Intellectual contribution—courses, symposia, Heart River Writers Circle, Humanities festival,
CommUniversity, Research symposium;
 Social—sporting events, speakers, performances, discussions;
 Economic— Economic development partnerships, faculty engagement in offering entrepreneurial
information/consulting services through the Strom Center, offering coursework or brokering
coursework requested by energy sector, internships, and conducting research such as the housing
studies;
 Cultural development—music, theater, and dance presentations; international presentations and
food events; humanities festival, symposia (Women’s, World Voices, Native American, etc.).
Charge to HLC Teams – Planning the Path Forward: What does this mean…What does this look like
for us (DSU) in 2020?
Mission Driven Commitments to Our Students, Faculty, Staff and Community
Throughout this document we will refer to the Mission’s FOUR elements and how we align our efforts to
fulfill them:
1) to provide high-quality, accessible programs;
2) to promote excellence in teaching and learning;
3) to support scholarly and creative activities; and
4) to provide service relevant to the economy, health, and quality of life of the citizens of the
State of North Dakota.
Table 1: To achieve this Mission, DSU commits to its Students to provide as follows: (Derived from
DSU’s Mission, Role and Scope Statement, 12/17/92)
Commitment to Students
1) Selected baccalaureate programs in the liberal arts and sciences,
nursing, teacher education, business and technology, stressing
scholarship and the habit of critical inquiry in fields of major
interests.
2) The institution offers a limited numbers of programs of less than
four years.
3) An educational opportunity grounded in the liberal arts and
sciences. The liberal arts and sciences provide the curricular
foundation for the intellectual, cultural, and professional
development of the student.
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Mission Element
1, 2, 3
1, 2
1, 2, 3
DSU HLC Conceptual Foundation Document – HLC Self Study & Planning the Path Forward
4) Professional, technical and occupations programs that will
continue to evolve to meet the needs of society.
5) A philosophy which transmits a global awareness and creates a
sensitivity to the values of a diverse society in a rapidly changing,
increasingly interconnected, multi-cultural world.
6) Assessment and response to their special needs through effective
advising; counseling; cultural; recreational; and co-curricular
programs.
7) Educational opportunity and resources to accommodate diverse
student characteristics and backgrounds by offering alternative
methods of learning which are consistent with the high academic
standards of the institution.
1, 2, 4
Vision
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 3, 4
Table 2: To achieve this mission, DSU commits to its Faculty and Staff to provide: (Mission, Role and
Scope Statement, 12/17/92)
Commitment to Faculty and Staff
1) The opportunity, encouragement, and resources for professional
development, and scholarly and creative activities.
2) The resources necessary to meet goals and objectives consistent
with the institution’s mission for its students.
3) An living and learning community dedicated to academic freedom
and the pursuit of excellence in scholarship, teaching and learning.
Mission Element
2, 3
1, 2, 3
2, 3
Table 3: To achieve this mission, DSU commits to The Region to provide: (Mission, Role and Scope
Statement, 12/17/92)
Commitment to The Region
1) Intellectual, recreational and cultural services to assist in meeting
the needs of the people served by the university.
2) Promotion of educational opportunities at both the undergraduate
and graduate levels to meet the needs of the elementary and
secondary educators.
3) Opportunities for applied research and service relationships with
governmental units, school districts, health care institutions, postsecondary institutions and industry.
4) A leadership role in the development of businesses, health care and
employment opportunities through consulting and cooperative
arrangements and by providing access to information technology
systems.
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Mission Element
1, 3, 4
1, 2, 3, 4
3, 4
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DSU HLC Conceptual Foundation Document – HLC Self Study & Planning the Path Forward
Values represent our shared beliefs. They provide the cultural supports that guide and prioritize
how we carry out our Mission. They may or may not be verbalized, but rise to the surface in the daily
work and conversations throughout the University. Our DSU Values derive from our Vision and Mission;
input from the Spring 2013 All Faculty Meeting of the Faculty Senate; and extrapolation of DSU
programming and activities. Our Values are aligned to our DSU Mission and Goals (see Table 5).
Table 4: DSU Values, Mission, Goal Alignment
Values
1) Integrity: We believe in being truthful,
reliable, accountable, and fair as individuals
and as an institution.
2) Accessibility: We define accessibility broadly
to include diversity and inclusiveness in
educating a globally responsible, astute and
engaged citizenry, as well as being flexible
and responsive—to our students (Studentcenteredness) and to our constituents
(collaborative relationships).
3) Excellence: We value academic, scholarly and
creative excellence.
4) Inquiry & Innovation: We believe in the value
and pursuit of life-long learning.
Alignment to DSU
Mission Elements
Alignment to DSU
2015 Goals
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 6
1, 4
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Vision
2, 3
4, 7
2, 3
4, 7
Commitment Metrics – Our Mission-Derived, Values-Informed Goals
The 2015 DSU Future Focused Committee (2008-2009) created and articulated seven Missiondriven and Values-informed goals. Much has happened since the creation of these goals. We,
individually and institutionally have experienced great change, suffered pain, loss, and academic
humiliation. We have learned, changed, grown, and continue to evolve. Throughout all we have
remained steadfast in our commitments to aspire (Vision), perform and deliver (Mission). Because of
this rather than discarding these goals, we have opted to evaluate their relevance and attainment by
looking at evidence of meeting, or moving toward meeting them as part of our HLC Self Study and Path
Forward processes. These goals will serve to help us mark and plan our progress and path. They will be
reviewed, refined, revised, or dropped as we Evaluate and Advance Quality and continuous
improvement. New goals will be considered and articulated as needed and appropriate (See Table 6):
Charge to HLC Teams – Planning the Path Forward: What do these goals mean? In what ways
have they been achieved? What is our evidence of goal achievements? Are these goals still relevant to
us? Which goals should be kept? Discarded? Modified? What evidence will we collect to monitor our
goal achievements as we move forward into and toward DSU 2020?
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DSU HLC Conceptual Foundation Document – HLC Self Study & Planning the Path Forward
Table 5: DSU Goals, Mission, Values Alignment
Goals
(2015 DSU Future Focused Committee:2008-2009)
GOAL 1: Access and prudently manage significant
additional financial resources to support and
enhance DSU programs and services.
GOAL 2: Build and extend collaborative
relationships to strengthen institutional and
student opportunities.
GOAL 3: Strengthen university programs and
services to better develop a student body
devoted to Dickinson State University, committed
to lifelong learning and enabled to engage and
flourish in a changing world.
GOAL 4: Attract and retain an increasingly diverse
and qualified faculty and staff to achieve
institutional excellence.
GOAL 5: Align institutional resources with
recruitment and retention to strategically develop
a student body, which is consistent with the
Mission and Vision of Dickinson State University.
GOAL 6: Provide a safe and positive environment
in which students, faculty and staff demonstrate
civility, respect, honor and integrity to develop
responsible global citizens.
GOAL 7: Support and enhance the quality of life
and economic vitality of the broader community
in which Dickinson State University exists.
Alignment to DSU
Mission Elements
Alignment to DSU
Values
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2
1, 4
2
1, 2, 3
2
1, 2, 3, 4
2, 3, 4
1, 4
2
1, 2, 3, 4
1, 2
1, 2, 3, 4
2, 3, 4
DSU’S HLC SELF-STUDY & PATH FORWARD PLANNING PROCESSES 2013-2015
DSU’s Mission, Vision, Values and Goals provide the foundation for our daily interactions and
the work of the University with and among its constituents and the world at large. The purpose of an
accreditation self-study is to investigate and record/study the University to see how it is upholding its
expressed efforts, both through the filter of aspiring to achieve its Vision, striving to fulfill its Mission
and Goals, and authentically living its Values; as well as to look at the University through the accrediting
agency’s filters (i.e., HLC Criteria). Because of its definitional focus on Evaluating and Advancing Quality,
this is an ideal and opportune time for DSU to engage the HLC PEAQ Self-Study process, and use it to
guide our efforts as we affirm and plan our Path Forward in terms of:
 Who we are and aspire to be (Vision),
 What we do (Mission), and
 For whom and how we do it (Students, Faculty, Staff and Constituents – Values & Goals).
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DSU HLC Conceptual Foundation Document – HLC Self Study & Planning the Path Forward
Table 6: DSU/HLC 2013-2014 Self-Study Launch Activities
Date
Activity
Activity Details
Summer 2013
SOAR
Distribute DSU Mission cards to students, win
Mission posters?
August 15
HLC Criterion
-Distribute finalized Conceptual Foundation
Team Leader
Document (electronic & hardcopy);
Meeting
-Distribute Self-Study Template Document
(electronic & hardcopy);
-Review 2013-2014 Campus-wide Criterion Team
responsibilities & activities (see calendar below);
-Review Criterion Team 2013-2014 work format:
 2-pronged approach: HLC Criterion work
& Path Forward Planning viewed from
the lens of the Criterion;
 Monthly meetings/team;
 Working group format: 2 hrs/meeting, 30
minutes overview and work directions,
60 minutes “work,” 30 minutes reportback status;
-Prep for HLC Kick-off Sept. 10 (colors/t-shirts).
-2-pronged Outcome Directives:
 DSU/HLC Self-Study Template;
 Vision, Mission, Values, Goal Assessment,
Path Forward Planning Document (template
to be provided):
o Alignment Vision, Mission, Values &
Goal Assessment;
o Priorities (students, faculty, staff
[CQS], programs, facilities, fiscal
health, etc….);
o Academic profile & associated
programming (NDUS Pathways to
Success implementation);
o Growth opportunities? (enrollment,
faculty/staff/ programs/facilities…).
August 21
Faculty/Staff
Introduction of teams, T-shirts; “back-ground
Orientation
brochure” (all of this document’s info);
distribution of DSU Mission items (cards, posters
etc.)—HLC presentation at orientation—Mission,
Vision, Values and Goals, etc.
September 10
HLC Kick-off
Kick-off for DSU community of students, faculty,
staff, constituents—Sept 10 (Thursday)—hot dogs
and balloons at the Pavilion—Focus on Mission,
Vision & Values, 3:30-5:30—HLC Scavenger Hunt
(Monday-Wed—Sept 7-9)—winners get T-shirts.
-Through the Eyes of the Hawk—semi-monthly or monthly HLC update
-Monthly HLC contests via e-mail—or campus posters—help of Staff, Faculty and
Student Senates.
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Person(s)
Responsible
Karen, Pattie,
Marie?
Cynthia &
Karen
Cynthia &
Karen
Karen &
Cynthia
Karen
DSU HLC Conceptual Foundation Document – HLC Self Study & Planning the Path Forward
Table 7: DSU/HLC 2013-2014 Self-Study Campus-wide Criterion Team Themes & Activities: All
take place in the Student Center— Team specific colored T-shirts worn to these events. Each team
responsible for event as noted below. Each team not only organizes and “runs” the activity/event, but
makes clear and explicit Criterion links to DSU Vision, Mission, Values and Goal Assessment and
Recommendations. Teams are supported by Karen Nelson in planning and executing their HLC
criterion themed event/activity.
Timeline
Event/Activity & Theme
Criterion Team(s)
Responsible
Homecoming
October 5th
DSU/HLC 5 Criterion Float: Each Team responsible
for adding to the overall “float” re: their criterion.
6 - Compliance &
Assumed Practices =
foundation.
October 30th
(Wednesday 3-4:30 pm)
October/November
November 26th
(Tuesday 3-4:30 pm)
December
(???)
January
(???)
February 13th
(Thursday 3-4 pm)
March 12th
(Wednesday 4-5:30 pm)
April 22nd
(Tuesday 4-5:30 pm)
September 2014
Pumpkin Carving, Apple Cider & Cookies
All teams contribute
2 - Integrity
HLC update: faculty, staff, and students.
T-giving, Teacher/Student Appreciation
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
3 - Teaching & Learning
Goodie Gobble
Community of Learners
Assessment/Retention Workshops
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
I Love my DSU!
Hot Chocolate & sweets
Marching Forward…
DSU/HLC Criterion Teams honored at Faculty/Staff
Recognition Social & Ceremony
Tie-dyeing T-shirts (combine 6 team colors)
4 – Teaching & Learning
Eval & Improvement
1 - Mission
5- Resources, Planning &
Inst Effectiveness
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Faculty/staff in-services:
1) August 2013—Assessment and Retention—in light of HLC;
2) January 2014--Focus on DSU Teaching and Learning—Professional Development on Assessment
of academics and co-curriculars.
3) Ongoing Learning Outcome work…
HLC SELF-STUDY AND PLANNING PROCESS OUTCOMES
Our Path Forward: Affirmation and clarification of who we are, and how, in what ways
and in what direction we can and will move, evolve and grow forward; and (b) A successful HLC
PEAQ Self-Study process and report culminating in HLC accreditation reaffirmation.
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