SECTION 4.4: PUBLICATIONS

CONTENTS: SECTION 4.4

INTRODUCTION
FINDINGS OF THE REPORT ON PUBLICATIONS
4.4 PUBLICATIONS
RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTION 4.4
COMPLIANCE TABLE: SECTION 4.4
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTION 4.4

INTRODUCTION

University publications, most of them produced in-house by the Sam Houston State University Press, serve not only to disseminate important information to students and faculty, but also to establish University policies and regulations as matters of public record. They are also important resources for those outside the University, like prospective students, who wish to learn more about the institution.

FINDINGS OF THE REPORT ON PUBLICATIONS

In the report which follows, the Self-Study Steering Committee addresses "must" statements from Section 4.4 of the SACS Criteria for Accreditation and, in the order in which the statements appear in the Criteria, reports on the University’s compliance or noncompliance with these imperatives. Following the "must" statements and findings, the Committee makes recommendations and/or offers suggestions, according to the University’s compliance status.

4.4 PUBLICATIONS

1. The content and design of publications produced and distributed by institutions must be accurate and consistent in describing the institution and rigorously adhere to principles of good educational practice (Criteria 40).

The Steering Committee determined that Sam Houston State University complies with this criterion. Publications produced by Sam Houston State University are current, accurate, and consistent, and provide all critical information needed relative to attending the University.

The University has in place a procedure for assuring the accuracy and consistency of all University publications. Section One of Administrative Policies and Procedures defines University publications and provides guidelines for those publications as well as procedures for authorization and disposition (1:32-35). This policy was revised in October of 1997 and has recently been revised again and is awaiting Presidential approval. Furthermore, an official University Publication Approval Form is provided in Section Four of Administrative Policies and Procedures (4:22).

2. An institution must make available to students and the public accurate, current catalogs or other official publications containing the following information: entrance requirements and procedures; admission criteria and policies, including the admission of transfer students; rules of conduct; academic calendar; degree completion requirements; full-time faculty and degrees held; costs and financial obligations; refund policies; and other items relative to attending the institution or withdrawing from it (Criteria 40).

The Committee determined that Sam Houston State University complies with this imperative.

The SHSU graduate and undergraduate catalogues provide students and the public with current and accurate information regarding education programs offered by the University. The undergraduate catalogue is published every other year (even years), the most recent version being the 1998-2000 edition. The graduate catalogue is also published every other year (odd years), the most recent version being the 1997-1999 edition.

Every two years, the catalogues are reviewed at several levels in order to ensure accuracy. Each academic department is responsible for reviewing the sections of each catalogue which pertain to its programs. The college deans then review the sections pertaining to curriculum changes and other information pertaining to programs in their colleges. Other units, including the Registrar’s Office, the Admissions Office, and the Business Office, review their designated sections of the catalogues. Proofs are then forwarded to the Assistant to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, who reviews the catalogues. Any issues regarding content or accuracy are then reviewed by the appropriate dean or department and then by the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs before the catalogue is sent to press.

Both graduate and undergraduate catalogues contain accurate and current information regarding entrance requirements and procedures; admission criteria and policies, including the admission of transfer students; rules of conduct; academic calendar; degree completion requirements; full-time faculty and degrees held; costs and financial obligations; refund policies; and other items relative to attending the institution or withdrawing from it. Additionally, the University’s Student Guidelines, published annually, also provides information on academic policies and procedures, University services, financial information, campus life, student life policies, and related University policies. The 1998-2000 Undergraduate Catalogue, the 1997-1999 Graduate Catalogue, and the Student Guidelines are all available on-line, through the SHSU home page.

Other general University publications include the Schedule of Classes, the Correspondence Course Bulletin, and the SHSU Viewbook. The Schedule of Classes, published twice a year by the Registrar’s office, provides information about advisement, registration, and other important academic matters. The Correspondence Course Bulletin provides general information, registration and fee information, regulations, and course offerings from the Correspondence Office. Finally, the SHSU Viewbook is a source of helpful information geared primarily toward prospective students. A copy of each of the university publications presented in this section of the report is available in the SACS Library, Room 217 of Academic Building 3.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTION 4.4

Having determined that the University complies fully with all of the imperatives in this section of the Criteria, the Steering Committee has no recommendations.

COMPLIANCE TABLE: SECTION 4.4

4.4: Publications

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND SUGGESTIONS: SECTION 4.4

None

SUGGESTIONS:

None