3.2.2 and 3.2.2.1 Governing Board Control (Institution’s Mission)

3.2.2   The legal authority and operating control of the institution are clearly defined  for the following areas within the institution’s governance structure:

3.2.2.1 The institution’s mission:

  Compliance           ___  Partial Compliance          ___  Non-Compliance

Narrative:

South Louisiana Community College’s (SLCC) mission (1) is derived from the State of Louisiana through legislative action, Louisiana Vision 2020 (2), the Louisiana Board of Regents for Higher Education (BoR) Master Plan for Public Postsecondary Education (3) and the Louisiana’s Community and Technical College System (LCTCS) Mission Statement (4) .  SLCC was created by Louisiana Legislature in 1997 as a “comprehensive, multi-campus, public, two-year institution of higher education.” (5)  The legislation prescribes for the College an academic and a vocational component and stipulates that programs offered by the College be developed “to assure the delivery of coordinated and articulated educational services in each parish comprising the primary service delivery area.”

In creating its mission, SLCC reflects the State’s vision for higher education, the BoR Master Plan, and the LCTCS mission.  According to Louisiana Vision 2020 (the State’s 20-year plan for economic development) the State recognizes, “At every level, in every region, the state must become…a highly coordinated and efficient learning enterprise.”  While the BoR is “constitutionally charged to plan, coordinate, and exercise budgetary responsibility for all public postsecondary education in Louisiana” it is through the authority of LCTCS and its mission “to improve the quality of life of our citizens through educational programs offered through our colleges. We strive to increase the opportunity of Louisiana's workforce to succeed through skills training programs. And, we work to provide our citizens with the opportunity to learn continuously. We are committed to teaching what is needed, when it is needed, and where it is needed within available resources.”

Most recently, the Louisiana Legislature with input from the BoR and LCTCS, implemented the Louisiana Granting Resources and Autonomy for Diplomas (GRAD) Act, which focuses on the missions of the post-secondary institutions in Louisiana.  For instance, community colleges provide data for job placement, transfers, and completers, which are all part of the mission. 

The LCTCS approves SLCC’s mission.  As SLCC approaches the end of its five-year cycle, a review of its mission was conducted in January 2011.  When changes are made to the mission, LCTCS Board of Supervisors approves SLCC’s new mission statement.  SLCC’s new mission statement (6) is scheduled to be on the April 2011 agenda of the LCTCS Board.  Once it is approved, it will be in the Catalog, Schedule books, website, and posted around the campuses and sites.

Documentation: