PM-38 - Institutional Mission Statements

May 10, 2007 

The mission statement of each LSU System institution is the basis for the evaluation of quality academic programs and administrative support. Moreover, the importance of the mission of each institution is seen as a foundational requirement that an institution must meet to be or remain accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The Commission requires, "The mission statement is current and comprehensive, accurately guides the institution's operations, is periodically reviewed and updated, is approved by the governing board, and is communicated to the institution's constituencies." (The Principles of Accreditation [Interim Edition] p.10)

Therefore, in accordance with sound educational practices and the requirements of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the mission statement for each campus in the LSU System shall be reviewed on a regular basis. After a campus has completed its review, its mission statement must be referred to the Office of the President for concurrence and submission to the Board of Supervisors for review and approval. The review process is not considered complete until the mission statement is approved by the Board of Supervisors.

The review of each campus' mission statement shall be conducted at least every five years. Every campus is expected to ensure that its mission statement is current in the review cycle, communicated to the institution's constituencies, and included in the materials required for the periodic reaffirmation of accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The administrative head of each campus shall prepare and file with the Office of the Board of Supervisors such detailed procedures as he/she deems desirable and necessary for the implementation of the above policy.

William L. Jenkins,
President

cc: System Officers