Mar 19, 2024  
2016-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2016-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Institutional Goals


 

Institutional Goals
 

Saint Augustine’s University is a four-year regional institution that offers a liberal arts foundation that prepares students for leadership roles in a complex, diverse, and rapidly changing world. Students, faculty, administration, and staff participate cooperatively in the overall teaching-learning process. Students participate through their desire for knowledge, readiness to acquire foundational and analytical skills, and in their potential to adapt to the demands of accelerated global change. The faculty facilitates by teaching and advising students, conducting research, and engaging in other professional development activities. The administration and staff generate and manage resources to support faculty and students. The coordination of all these resources relies upon a consistent and orderly approach to planning and assessment of institutional effectiveness. Institutional research provides data necessary to assess and improve effectiveness in student learning, faculty development, and resource management. To these ends, Saint Augustine’s University is committed to achieving the following goals:

1.    Recruiting, retaining, educating, and graduating students whose academic preparation has occurred in a diversity of economic, social, and cultural contexts;
2.    Hiring, retaining, developing, and promoting a professional faculty who possess skills and motivation to educate a diverse student body;
3.    Building student competencies in major academic disciplines on our general education program (GEP) foundation that ensures skills in leadership, reading    comprehension, writing, oral communication, Scientific, Technological, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) literacy;
4.    Fostering a climate in which students acquire knowledge, values, and skills necessary for success in a complex, diverse, and rapidly changing world;
5.    Providing and maintaining a broad range of library and learning resources, including information technologies and instructional support facilities, that enhance the teaching-            learning process by offering exposure to various disciplines, cultures, and points of view;
6.    Providing effective leadership and management of the University’s financial, physical, and human resources to ensure that they are acquired, retained, allocated, and assessed to promote the stability, security, and long term well-being of the University;
7.    Employing a comprehensive planning and evaluation system for all major aspects of the University, including assessment of the extent to which the students acquire competencies; the faculty fosters scholarship and creativity through varied approaches to teaching and learning; the administration facilitates the enterprise by effectively acquiring and managing financial and human resources; and the staff contributes to efficient operations by providing essential support services; and
8.    Conducting ongoing institutional research as a means of collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information essential to effective planning and evaluation.

Memberships and Accreditations

The fact that an educational institution is accredited means that it has met required standards and criteria of quality established by a recognized educational or professional organization.

Saint Augustine’s University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools:Commission on Colleges to award bachelors degrees.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4007
Telephone number 404.679.4500

http://www.sacscoc.org

Normal inquiries about Saint Augustine’s University, such as admission requirements, financial aid, educational programs, etc., should be addressed directly to Saint Augustine’s University and not to SACSCOC office.

In addition to accreditation by SACSCOC, the College holds memberships in and/or is accredited by the:

American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
American Council on Education
Association of American Colleges
Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
Association of Eastern North Carolina Colleges and Universities
Association of Episcopal Colleges
Carolina Association for Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (CACRAO)
College Entrance Examination Board
Cooperating Raleigh Colleges
Cooperative Education Association, Inc.
Council of Independent Colleges
Intercollegiate Music Association
National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
North Carolina Association of Colleges and Universities
North Carolina Association for Independent Colleges and Schools (NCAICS)
North Carolina Association for Institutional Research (NCAIR)
North Carolina Association of Summer Sessions
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
North Carolina Honors Association
Society for College and University Planners (SCUP)
Southern Association of College and University Business Officers (SAUUBO)
Southern Association for Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (SAURAO)
United Negro College Fund, Inc.

Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Policy

Saint Augustine’s University is committed to an educational and working environment in which students, faculty and staff can develop their full intellectual and professional abilities. Saint Augustine’s University welcomes to its campus students, faculty, staff, alumni, officials and members of the Episcopal Church, friends and other members of the community who seek to advance the mission of the University; pursue a higher education; improve personal and professional skills; and who wish to engage in Church or community service. It is the policy of Saint Augustine’s University, therefore, to provide educational programs, services, and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability, marital status, pregnancy, or veteran status.

Saint Augustine’s University’s policy of non-discrimination shall apply to all programs and activities of the University, including student admissions, educational programs, non-educational activities, employment and other related activities covered under Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975. Information on the implementation of this policy and/or the statutes referenced should be addressed to the:

Office of the President
Saint Augustine’s University
1315 Oakwood Avenue
Raleigh, North Carolina, 27610

Pursuant to federal regulations, the University may collect admissions and enrollment information by racial, ethnic and sex categories for reporting purposes. The provision of such information is voluntary, however, and is not used to determine eligibility for admission.

Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 states: “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance”. Saint Augustine’s University is committed to providing a learning, working and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility and mutual respect in an environment free of sexual misconduct and discrimination. Sexual discrimination violates an individual’s fundamental rights and personal dignity. Saint Augustine’s University considers sexual discrimination in all its forms to be a serious offense. This resource refers to all forms of sexual discrimination, including: sexual harassment, sexual assault, and sexual violence by employees, students, or third parties. (Title 20 U.S.C. Sections 1681-1688)

Saint Augustine’s University prohibits any and all discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation including gender identity, marital status, civil union status, age, physical or mental disability, military status, or unfavorable discharge from military service in regard to the administration of educational programs, admission of students, employment actions, athletics or other sponsored activities.

The University also complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination (including sexual harassment, sexual misconduct and sexual violence) based on sex in the University’s educational programs and activities. Title IX also prohibits retaliation for asserting such claims of discrimination. The University has designated Title IX Coordinators, listed on the Title IX webpage, in handbooks, on the Office of Human Resources website, and listed below, to coordinate the University’s compliance with and response to inquiries concerning Title IX. A person may also file a written complaint with the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights regarding an alleged violation of Title IX by visiting www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/complaintintro.html or by calling 1-800-421-3481. For information or for filing complaints regarding Title IX compliance and complaint procedures, contact the University’s Title IX Coordinators.

Any individual who believes he/she has been discriminated against in violation of the University’s Non-Discrimination and Non-Harassment Policy, including sexual harassment or gender discrimination, or who has witnessed discrimination against another, may file a complaint or obtain information and assistance regarding the University’s policies and responsive processes from any of the following individuals:

Ms. Breona Hayes, Title IX Administrator 919-516-4396 bmhayes@st-aug.edu

Dr. Orlando Hankins, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, Title IX Deputy Coordinator 919-516-4860 oehankins@st-aug.edu

Paul Norman, Ed.D. Dean of Men/Director of First Year Experience, Title IX Deputy Coordinator 919-516-4240 panorman@st-aug.edu

Mrs. Lottie Ferrell, Interim Director of Human Resources, Title IX Deputy Coordinator, 919-516-4351 lferrell@st-aug.edu

Individuals with inquiries concerning the application of Title IX may also contact:

The Office for Civil Rights, Chicago Office, U. S. Department of Education, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, Telephone: (312) 730-1560, Facsimile: (312) 730-1576, Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov


Commonly Used Academic Terms

Academic load

The total semester hours of credit for all courses taken during a specified time-semester, summer term, or other special sessions.

Accredited

A term applied to a school or specific program that has been recognized by some national or regional organization as meeting certain academic standards for quality and educational environment.

Add and Drop deadlines

The latest date in a semester at Saint Augustine’s University when a course may be added or dropped from student’s class schedule with approval of advisor.

Admission

The process of being admitted to Saint Augustine’s University as a student with the opportunity to take classes.

Admissions file

The set of documents related to a request for admission to Saint Augustine’s University. The set contains the application forms and official transcript’s previous work in high school or college and may contain standardized test scores (SAT or ACT for freshman applicants), forms for international students, or other information required by the Admissions Office.

AP Examination

An Advance Placement Examination in a specific subject area available nationally to high school students from the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). Obtain information on taking the examination from a high school guidance counselor. Information on Saint Augustine’s University course credit for these examinations is available from the Admissions Office.

Application Deadline

The date by which all documents required for the admissions file of a prospective student must be in the Office of Admissions.

CLEP Test

Subject area examination administered by the College Entrance Examination Board. Details and comparisons with the AP exam can be obtained from:
The College-Level Examination Program
Box 1821
Princeton, NJ 08540
Statements on acceptance of CLEP test scores for academic credit at Saint Augustine’s University are found in this catalog.

Concentration

A collection of courses within a major which focuses on a particular subject area. The term “concentration” describes the nature of the set of courses.

Credit for Prior Learning

Students may submit evidence that they have met the student learning outcomes (SLOs) required for the general education or major curriculum through life and/or work experience (see section within).

Curriculum

The set of courses offered in a particular degree program. More generally, the course (in total) offered by the university. The plural word is curricula.

Degree Audit

A mechanism available to students and advisors to track one’s progress through their program of study.

English Proficiency Test

A test taken at Saint Augustine’s University prior to initial registration (but after admission) by international student to determine what English course must be taken at Saint Augustine’s University. This local test is in addition to the minimum TOEFL test requirement.

Full-Time

A student who is registered for 12 hours or more during a semester at Saint Augustine’s University.

General Education Program (GEP)

A series of courses designed to ensure mastery of core competencies that define the Saint Augustine’s University graduate.

Grade point average (GPA)

An average on the 4-point determined by dividing the total accumulated quality points by the corresponding total of hours of credit attempted. Certain grades do not influence this computation.

Honors course or section

A version of a regular course reserved for students with superior preparation for that course. Non-departmental enrichment or exploration course available to students from the Saint Augustine’s University Honors College.

Major

The principal academic interest of a student as represented by the curricula offered by the various schools at Saint Augustine’s University.

Minor

A student has the option to declare a special interest of study outside of their major that is represented by one of the curricula offered at Saint Augustine’s University. The minor will consist of not less that eighteen (18) semester hours designated by the University’s schools. The minor interest will be indicated on student transcripts.

Orientation

Sessions and programs designed to acquaint a new student with the facilities, policies, sources of information and assistance, academic programming and expectations, and the social atmosphere of Saint Augustine’s University.

Pre-requisite

A requirement to be completed (or a level of skill or knowledge to be demonstrated) before enrollment in a course.

Proficiency Examination

A test given to a student admitted to Saint Augustine’s University to evaluate knowledge or skills normally acquired through completion of a particular Saint Augustine’s University course.

Progress

An internal evaluation of a student’s academic standing is examined to determine if prior work is complete and if the student should proceed towards completion of the remaining degree requirements.

Quality Hours

The number of attempted hours, which qualify to fulfill graduation requirements and have letter grades A through F.

Quality Points

Saint Augustine’s University compiles academic performance records through use of a scale assigning 4.0 “quality points” per semester hour of credit for an “A” grade ranging to 1.0 quality point per semester hour of credit for a “D” grade.

Registration

The process of officially gaining entrance into one or more courses.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Minimum yearly progress towards a degree based upon the student passing a sufficient number of courses with a minimum required grade point average. The requirements for continuation of financial aid may be different than the requirements for probation/suspension.

Semester

The division of the calendar year used in academic scheduling at Saint Augustine’s University. A semester is approximately 4 months or 16 weeks in duration.

Semester hour

The unit of academic credit at Saint Augustine’s University.

Special Design Major

The opportunity to design, with faculty approval, a flexible interdisciplinary curriculum. It is reserved for students who cannot find an established degree program that meets their special interests and career goals that cross disciplinary lines. This program of study is made available to students who satisfy the prerequisites.

TOEFL Examination

An internationally administered examination measuring ability to use the English language. Required of any international student applying to Saint Augustine’s University whose native language is not English. For information and to make arrangements to take the examination, contact:
The Test of English as a Foreign Language
Educational Testing Service
Princeton, NJ 18540