2.1   Academic Mission Element

Goals, Objectives and Policies

2005-2015 Campus Master Plan Update

The academic mission of UCF was revised as part of the strategic planning process and was approved by out Board of Trustees in January 2002.  The university also adopted a vision, values, and five overall goals and 12 strategic initiatives in support of those goals as part of the strategic planning process.  All these documents appear in Appendix A and at the strategic planning Website referenced in the appendix.

GOAL 1: To offer the best undergraduate education in the State of Florida.

OBJECTIVE 1.1: To provide for the maintenance or modification of the missions of individual colleges within the University over the planning time frame.

POLICY 1.1.1: The colleges shall continually review and update their missions in relation to the University's mission statement, the five general goals, and the goals of the academic departments and disciplines within their colleges.

POLICY 1.1.2: The University shall complete mission reviews one year prior to when the DCU revisions to the five year new program list is are due. Each College and Department has established internal procedures for updating and modifying its mission statement, and the missions of the individual colleges  were reviewed within the Strategic Planning process two years ago. 

POLICY 1.1.3: These mission statements are forwarded to the Provost for consideration after they have been approved by the College. The Colleges are expected to develop missions and goals that address University level goals and are in concert with the overall mission of the institution.

POLICY 1.1.4: Proposed amendments to the adopted campus master plan shall reflect the most recently approved mission statement for the University.

OBJECTIVE 1.2: To provide for the maintenance or modification of the mission of the University over the planning time frame.

POLICY 1.2.1: The mission of the University was reviewed and revised two years ago within the Strategic Planning five year process. The University shall complete mission reviews one year prior to when the DCU revisions are due.

OBJECTIVE 1.3: To provide for new or modification of existing academic programs and degrees offered.

POLICY 1.3.1: Establishment of new or modification of existing academic programs and degrees offered occur in synchronization with DCU deadlines within the five year strategic planning cycle. The Office of Academic Affairs will solicit white papers for the development of a new list in Spring 2004.  It is anticipated that the next DCU revision to its program list will be Fall 2004.

OBJECTIVE 1.4: To establish priorities among the development of new or modified academic programs.

POLICY 1.4.1: Establishment of UCF’s internal priorities among the development of new or modified academic programs and degrees offered occurs in synchronization with DCU deadlines within the five year strategic planning cycle.  The priorities for developing new academic programs and modifying or terminating existing programs are identified in the strategic plan as described in Academic Program Element Policy 1.3.1.

POLICY 1.4.2: The colleges shall continually review and update their degree offerings according to productivity, demand, relation to the mission, and other pertinent factors.

OBJECTIVE 1.5: UCF shall continue its practice of developing a Campus Master Plan, updated at five (5)-year intervals.

POLICY 1.5.1: UCF shall pursue modifications, upgrades and expansion of its physical facilities and infrastructure which are incorporated into the most recently approved Master Plan.

POLICY 1.5.2: UCF shall submit to the Division of Colleges and Universities, within four years from the date of plan adoption and every five years thereafter, an evaluation and appraisal report which:

• Lists accomplishments during the implementation of the campus master plan, describing major problems associated with development and land uses, and the degree to which the goals, objectives and policies have been successfully reached;  

• Identifies obstacles or problems which resulted in underachievement of goals, objectives, or policies;

• Identifies the need for new or modified goals, objectives, or policies needed to correct unanticipated and unforeseen problems and opportunities that have occurred since adoption of the campus master plan;

• Addresses local government and public participation in the process;

• Addresses the effects of changes to the State Comprehensive Plan and to the comprehensive plans of the host local government and any affected local governments;

• Identifies proposed and anticipated plan amendments necessary to address identified problems and opportunities; and

• Identifies a means of ensuring continuous monitoring and evaluation of the plan during the remainder of the overall planning period.

POLICY 1.5.3: UCF shall submit to the Division of Colleges and Universities, within five years from the date of plan adoption and every five years thereafter, a proposed plan amendment which incorporates the findings and recommendations contained in the evaluation and appraisal report, and which contains updated baseline data (as appropriate) and goals, objectives and policies to be accomplished during the remainder of the overall planning period.

POLICY 1.5.4: UCF shall undertake an annual review of the goals, objectives and policies and programmed improvements identified in the most recently approved Master Plan to determine if amendments modifying the plan are necessary. Should revisions to this Master Plan, either alone or in conjunction with other amendments, exceed the thresholds established in s. 240.155(9), F.S., said amendments shall be reviewed and adopted under the provisions of s. 240.155(6)-(8), F.S. Amendments to this Master Plan which do not exceed these thresholds shall be consolidated into a single submittal and sent to the SUS Office of Capital Programs for review and approval by the Division of Colleges and Universities.

GOAL 2: To achieve international prominence in key programs of graduate study and research.

OBJECTIVE 2.1: To The University of Central Florida will be the nation’s leading metropolitan research university recognized for its intellectual, cultural, technological, and professional contributions and renowned for its outstanding programs and partnerships.

POLICY 2.1.1: Selected graduate programs areas were targeted in the strategic plan for support in order to achieve or retain international prominence.

2.1.2  Academic Mission of the University Element Analysis

                       a)                  A description of how the University’s mission has changed (or not) since its inception.

UCF at its founding was titled “Florida Technological University,” and in keeping with that, its mission was expressly technological.  However, the mission has broadened dramatically over the ensuing forty years to the present.  Re-titled in the late 1970’s as “University of Central Florida,” the institution has developed into a major metropolitan university, rapidly growing, with a full complement of undergraduate and graduate programs.  It is strongly oriented toward cutting-edge research in a wide variety of disciplines that span the academic spectrum.  Emphasis is given to research and other partnership activities with special relevance to the dynamic “I-4 High Tech Corridor,” which stretches across the central Florida region from Tampa through Orlando to the space coast.

                      b)                 A description of how the University’s mission has changed since the last master plan was prepared.

The mission most recently adopted by the State University System for the University of Central Florida has maintained its overall tone and character.  UCF remains committed to providing an undergraduate education rooted in the arts and sciences while offering comprehensive graduate and professional programs.  The current mission restates goals and visions predicated in the 1995 Mission, while reinforcing ties to the Central Florida geographic region.  Partnerships such as the I-4 High - Technology Corridor Council are highlighted, as examples of the desire for continued cooperation with the local community on issues of the economy, arts, culture and education.

GOAL 3: To provide international focus to our curriculum and research programs.

OBJECTIVE 3.1: To identify areas of international strength and potential in support of the teaching, research, and public service missions

POLICY 3.1.1: The University drafted an international strategic plan to present to the provost in Spring 2004.

POLICY 3.1.2: The University will explore methods of promoting its four strategic goals:

• Infuse the undergraduate and graduate curricula with international and cross-cultural perspectives.

• Encourage socially enriching experiences for students, faculty members, and staff members that lead to international and cross-cultural understanding.

• Facilitate cross-cultural opportunities for the UCF community and the Central Florida metropolitan region.

• Promote international programs and partnerships that assure prominence for global competence.

GOAL 4: To become more inclusive and diverse.

OBJECTIVE 4.1: To promote the participation of minorities and women as students and employees.

POLICY 4.1.1: UCF will continue to actively recruit and retain minorities and women by following the recommendations of the two Presidential Commissions:  the Commission on the Status of Women; and the Commission on the Status of Racial and Ethnic Minorities.

POLICY 4.1.2: UCF shall comply with established Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) guidelines and requirements in student, faculty, administrator, and staff searches.

GOAL 5: To be America's leading partnership university.

OBJECTIVE 5.1: To promote partnerships as an area of emphasis at UCF.

POLICY 5.1.1: UCF will endeavor to increase partnerships across disciplines within the university.

POLICY 5.1.2:  UCF will  arrange to create a way to categorize UCF partnerships.

POLICY 5.1.3: Public service will continue to be prominent at UCF, and the University will endeavor to increase partnerships within the community to enrich the educational, artistic, cultural, economic, and professional lives of those it serves in Central Florida and beyond.

OBJECTIVE 5.2: To promote outreach programs, volunteerism, and community-based research.

POLICY 5.2.1: UCF shall continue to systematically develop and engage in quality programs that are responsive to the needs of the community.

 

POLICY 5.2.2: UCF shall continue to encourage and support the development of high-quality continuing education programs.  

 

POLICY 5.2.3: UCF shall continue to develop, engage in and support programs which enhance K-12 education.