Core Component 2.A. The institution operates with integrity in its financial, academic, personnel, and auxiliary functions; it establishes and follows fair and ethical policies and processes for its governing board, administration, faculty, and staff.
Although the Robert B. Miller College Board of Trustees has oversight responsibility for all college policies, the College is devoted to developing a culture of accountability and trustworthiness for students, faculty and staff. The Robert B. Miller College Policy Section IV Business and Finance provides guidance for administrative management, business management, and fiscal management. The administrative management section addresses rules and regulations about confrontations and disorderly conduct, weather related emergency procedures, campus crime, and facility procedures. The business management section provides procedures for purchasing and physical plant operation. The fiscal management section includes policies and procedures for financial accounting and reporting, audit, banking relations, tuition and fees, donations, and budgeting.
Evidence:
Financial Function
The Robert B. Miller College Policy Manual, Section IV - Business and Finance prescribes the policies and procedures for business and fiscal management of the College which includes purchasing, bookstore, physical plant operations, accounting, budgeting, and auditing. Procedures have been established for bonding employees, hiring external auditors, safeguarding cash, acquisition of gifts and contributions, establishing tuition and fees, and leasing arrangements. An example of the College’s culture of accountability is the transparency of the budgeting process. Each year, faculty and staff are asked to participate in the budgeting process by submitting requests and providing input for budgeted line items. Academic Affairs discusses the virtual library databases, the need for additional percent-time faculty or adjuncts, and for educational materials. All requests are prioritized according to the Strategic Plan. Every staff member has access to the budget drafts as well as the final draft. Even though the Board of Trustees maintains oversight of the budget process and approves the final draft, every member of the College community plays a part in determining the final budget.
An outside accounting firm, Plante Moran, annually reviews and audits all financial processes for compliance with national accounting standards and federal financial aid regulations. In addition, an outside law firm reviews policy manuals to ensure compliance with employment regulations (See Policy Manual (176 KB, PDF), audits, board minutes).
Evidence:
Academic Function
The Robert B. Miller College is dedicated to academic quality and integrity. The instruction section of the Miller College Policy Manual defines and explains policies and procedures for academic honesty, academic awards and honors, academic credit, advising, grading policies, curriculum design, faculty work, standards of academic progress, and assessment. These policies and procedures are carried out by the various committees as defined in the organization section of the policy manual (See Policy Manual Section III (176 KB, PDF)).
Evidence:
The Academic Affairs Committee, comprised of full-time, percent-time and adjunct faculty, and representatives from student services makes recommendations on academic policy and procedures. School Deans or the Vice President present these recommendations to the President’s Council where policies are finalized before they are taken to the Board of Trustees for approval. All faculty members are knowledgeable of and follow FERPA guidelines. The Academic Affairs Committee includes a subcommittee that acts as the Institutional Review Committee (a.k.a. as the IRB for Institutional Review Board) for all research projects.
The Academic Affairs committee, in addition to its other duties, acts as a curriculum committee in approving new courses, changes to existing courses, and textbook change requests. All curriculum issues are measured against the mission. All syllabi are constructed using WIDS to tie the goals and objectives to the learning outcomes for each school which are derived from the School’s mission statement. Course offerings (See College Catalog) and course content (See Syllabi) support and emphasize written and oral communications, critical thinking, competence in field of study, service to the community, and an understanding of a globally oriented world. In-seat courses require an oral presentation and/or a written project which demonstrates the College’s value of oral and written communication skills. On-line courses require a major project that demonstrates written communication skills. Accessible and up-to-date computer labs underscore the College’s commitment to quality education.
No new program is established until a need has been identified by the community and an advisory committee of community members reviews the legitimacy of the program. New programs are also examined to determine the fit with the College mission before it is approved by the Academic Affairs Committee and proposed to the President’s Council.
The assessment committee is a sub-committee of Academic Affairs. This committee is responsible for updating the assessment plan, collecting data, and reporting assessment results to Academic Affairs. The assessment plans were developed from the College and School’s mission statements and the individual departments’ program learning outcomes. Assessment policies ensure the integrity of the program offerings.
Each school’s assessment plan ties the goals and objectives of each course to the program outcomes which are derived from the School’s mission statement. All faculty members are required to attend a formal faculty orientation (See Fall 2012 Faculty Orientation Agenda (67 KB, PDF) ) or receive individual training which emphasizes the mission statement and includes instruction on the use of Worldwide Instructional Design System (WIDS) for syllabi construction, classroom technology, the virtual library, Blackboard, Miller College email and emergency procedures.
Individual course content is developed from the School’s mission statement. Every course requires a written artifact and an oral presentation or a comprehensive assessment of student learning. Every course syllabus is generated by Worldwide Instructional Design System (WIDS) which requires the goals and objectives, core abilities, and competencies be aligned to each schools’ learning outcomes. Syllabi are standardized in that all syllabi include the same wording for the academic honesty policy, ADA statement, attendance policy, credit hour definition, and portfolio artifact requirement. Each semester, students evaluate their courses and instruction, holding faculty accountable for providing an appropriate learning environment.
Faculty members are hired for their professional experience as well as their academic achievements. Faculty with experience in their field of study enhance Miller College’s reputation for integrity and professionalism (See Faculty Resumes, See Director of Administrative services). Faculty development is an ongoing process at Miller College. In addition to faculty maintaining the appropriate credentials and earning appropriate continuing education credits, all adjunct faculty members are invited to attend the faculty orientation where all faculty members discuss the Miller College Mission, philosophy, policies and expectations. These orientations ensure that all faculty, whether full time or adjunct, are maintaining the same standards of instruction established by the founders of the College (See Policy Manual, College Catalog, Syllabi, Adjunct Faculty Handbook, Operational Framework).
Evidence:
Each school of the College develops additional policies and procedures as needed with the approval of the Academic Affairs Committee, President’s Council, and the Board of Trustees where required. Examples of the individual schools’ policies, procedures, accomplishments and initiatives for the near future are as follows:
School of Arts and Sciences:
Accomplishments and initiatives:
School of Business:
Policies and procedures for internship applications:
1. All internship position announcements will be posted for all students.
2. Those eligible students who wish to apply for an internship and use that internship experience as their Senior Seminar artifact must apply to the department dean.
3. Eligibility requirements:
4. Application materials include:
Resume
Cover letter
Internship recommendation form from at least one faculty member
5. A committee that includes the dean and two faculty members will review all applications and make a recommendation.
6. Applications will be submitted to the hiring organization by the department dean.
7. Any fees for background checks, if required, will be paid by the student.
Accomplishments and initiatives:
The Binda School of Education:
-Procedures for teacher certification: See College Catalog-Teacher Certification requirements p. 38
-Steps for Field Placements:
Steps for Placements for Internships:
Accomplishments and initiatives:
School of Nursing:
Accomplishments and initiatives:
Personnel Function
The Miller College Policy Manual addresses personnel issues in Section VI. A companion Faculty Handbook further defines the policies and procedures for faculty. The policy manual and faculty handbook include policies and procedures for contract and contract renewal, internet use policy, organization of councils and committees, safety policies, and personnel policies. Also included in the policy manual are procedures for ensuring the safety of students and staff and grievance procedures for students and employees. Financial and Higher Learning Commission reports are submitted to the Miller Foundation on a regular basis.
Miller College advertises locally for staff and adjuncts, and nationally through various media depending on the position. The process can include:
Every faculty and staff member prepares an annual performance plan which is reviewed semi-annually with their supervisor.
Evidence:
Auxiliary Functions
Student Services
Section VII of the Miller College Policy Manual defines the policies and procedures for Student Services which includes admissions, career and support services, financial aid, and the registrar (See Section VII, Miller College Policy Manual).
Evidence:
The Miller College admissions staff ensures that the admissions standards are strictly upheld. The registrar and admissions advisors follow MACRAO procedures to ensure that prior earned credits are transferred fairly, including any credits allowed through experiential learning. Without compromising the integrity of our programs, Miller College accepts coursework that meets our standards as transfer credit. The application process includes:
The registrar and advising staff monitor students’ academic progress.
When students fall below the minimum GPA to remain enrolled, the students and their faculty advisors are notified by an academic probation letter. The College catalog prescribes the standards and procedures for students to recover their satisfactory progress after academic probation and/or suspension from the College (See Standards of Academic Progress in College Catalog p. 7-9).
Evidence:
Financial aid procedures and deadlines are described in the Miller College Catalog and Student Handbook and are followed to the letter (See Miller College Catalog Financial Aid pgs. 7-9, Student Handbook p. 22). The catalog and handbook includes Privacy Act information, campus crimes statistics, the application process, the rights of the student, the responsibilities of the student, tuition/costs, enrollment requirements, bookstore procedures, and satisfactory academic progress. In addition, federal, state, and institutional aid programs are identified along with private scholarship information.
At the beginning of each semester, faculty report students who appear on their rosters but do not show up in the classroom to identify those students who may be in violation of the financial aid eligibility rules. Faculty assign grades of “XF” to students who discontinue class attendance at any point during the semester, thus indicating an “unofficial” withdrawal from the College. This information is used by the financial aid office for purposes of returning unearned financial aid to the U.S. Department of Education. Financial aid audits are conducted on an annual basis (See Financial Aid Audits 2011 and 2012).
Evidence:
Students who are eligible for Veteran’s Affairs (VA) benefits may use the following chapters at Miller College: 30, 31, 33, 35, 1606, and 1607. Enrollment for VA students is certified at the beginning of each semester by certifying officials located in the Student Services Office. This allows students to receive their benefits in a timely manner.
The Career Services Center (CSC) provides free career and job search services for all Miller College students and alumni. Services include access to several resources for resume building, interview techniques, and dressing for success. In addition, Miller College uses a web-based system for employers to post jobs and for students to post resumes and apply for positions (See http://millercollege.experience.com/er/security/login.jsp).
Student services staff serve on non-student services committees to ensure that all administrative and academic issues are communicated throughout the College, increasing transparency.
All new students are encouraged to attend an orientation with the admissions staff. This program introduces students to the student handbook which covers all policies and procedures students are expected to know, including grievance policies. The student handbook outlines the procedures including the timelines for students to file complaints against faculty, staff, administrators or practices and policies of the College. The student handbook clearly states the steps required to address grade change requests and procedures to challenge a grade (See Student Handbook p. 14). The handbook also addresses the procedures for filing complaints against a student for violation of the student code of conduct, academic honesty, harassment, and violence (See Student Handbook pg. 13). The Binda School of Education has additional policies in place for student interns and field experiences.
The Business office maintains communication with students about fees, tuition increases, and payment procedures. The ADA disclaimer statement appears on all documents as well as the College web site.
Junior Seminar, one of the first courses a student should take requires the student to begin their electronic portfolio, work with their faculty advisor to prepare a plan to complete their program, and learn the APA style of writing. At the end of their program, students finalize their electronic portfolio which includes the self-reported service learning experiences.
Evidence:
Security
Miller College maintains a negotiated agreement with Kellogg Community College that includes information technology services that maintain campus computer systems and protect sensitive electronic information. The same agreement includes the services of security personnel to ensure the safety and security of the campus environment. Campus crime statistics are collected and reported on a regular basis.
CRIME STATISTICS
|
Reports |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
|
Murder/ Non-Negligent Manslaughter |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Negligent Manslaughter |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sex Offenses/Forcible |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sex Offenses/Non-Forcible (Includes only incest and statutory rape) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Robbery |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Aggravated Assault |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Burglary |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Motor Vehicle Theft |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Arson |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Weapons Possession |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
The Mawby Center, the center for Miller College, is leased from Kellogg Community College and is subject to KCC’s security and maintenance regulations. The Emergency Action Plan provides guidance to all faculty and staff for all emergency situations. Members of the administration undergo crisis management training and a copy of the emergency plan is reviewed with faculty and staff. An updated copy in located on the College Server and in the Faculty Orientation Handbook. In addition, the director of KCC facilities management presents the pertinent information during the semi-annual faculty and staff orientation meeting. Building wardens are assigned and security is present during evening and weekend hours. Maps indicating exits and evacuation procedures are posted in all classrooms and in the hallways (See Emergency Action Plan, Agreement with KCC).
Computer security issues are dealt with through password protection. Procedures for resetting passwords are described in the student handbook (See Computer and Communications Technology Use Policy in the Student Handbook p. 19).
Evidence:
Building Maintenance
Building maintenance is contracted through Kellogg Community College.
Evaluative Conclusion:
The Robert B. Miller College has policies and procedures in place for the Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, students, and all functional areas. These processes are executed fairly and ethically.
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