EAST TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY

MISSION AND STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

I.2 

ETSU opened its doors in 1911 initially to prepare teachers for the region’s public schools and has evolved into a state-supported, comprehensive, regional university in the State University and Community College System of Tennessee, governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.  The University embraces its regional setting and proudly reflects its traditional roots through programs and activities that highlight its Appalachian heritage.  Although the majority of students are from Northeast Tennessee and adjacent states, many qualified students from throughout Tennessee and from other states and countries also enroll.  The University acts on the belief that educational opportunities should be available to all eligible people without regard to age, sex, race, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation. 

ETSU affirms the fundamental values of higher education: protecting free interchange of ideas through academic freedom, promoting curiosity and desire for learning, stimulating thought and self-reflection, and encouraging ethical behavior.  The University expects its faculty, with support from administration and staff, to place primary emphasis on student learning through a strong commitment to effective and innovative teaching.  It also places a distinctive focus on improving student competency in writing, oral communication, and using information technology. 

 The University pursues partnerships and collaboration as a means of enhancing its institutional effectiveness.  It places special emphasis on community based and interdisciplinary education, on service learning with rigorous student expectations for reflection, on expanding opportunities for students intellectual and social development through co-curricular opportunities and academic programs meeting high standards of quality, and on a respect for cultural diversity and programming that enhances global awareness.  The University also provides opportunities for community outreach, public service, and lifelong learning of both a professional and personal nature through its various units.  It assumes a leadership role in providing facilities and programs that improve the intellectual, cultural, political, social, and health environment of Northeast Tennessee and the Southern Appalachian region. In addition, ETSU reflects its commitment to quality through a number of specialized centers, bureaus, and Chairs of Excellence.

ETSU offers programs through nine schools and colleges related to five areas: arts and sciences, business, education, health sciences and services, and technology.  The University is recognized by the state for its unique mission focus in the area of health sciences and places special emphasis on addressing the needs of Southern Appalachia in areas of rural health care.  ETSU’s Division of Health Sciences, composed of the colleges of Medicine, Nursing, and Public and Allied Health, serves the state, region, and nation as a comprehensive academic health sciences center.

ETSU’s undergraduate programs embrace the philosophy of liberal education for all, with special programs leading to a primary level of expertise in the arts and sciences and in selected professional fields.  These programs also address needs of students not fully prepared for college-level work, nontraditional students returning to the classroom, and gifted students seeking more challenging educational activities.  The University is also committed to providing a rich campus life, expanded residential opportunities, and a viable athletic program.

ETSU offers a broad array of graduate programs that provide advanced specialized preparation in many areas to meet the needs of its student population and facilitate the development of its extensive service region.  Those programs include broad masters’ level programming in most liberal arts disciplines as well as technical and professional programs in fields that respond to regional and other clearly defined needs.  They include doctoral programs in education and in biomedical sciences and programs leading to the Doctor of Medicine degree. 

The University is expanding the availability and enhancing the quality of off-campus programming in viable markets as well as programming offered through distance learning technologies that include the Internet. The University provides programs that expand the region’s access to emerging technologies.  ETSU is expanding undergraduate, masters, graduate certificate, and doctoral programs that support its mission focus on health, wellness, and addressing the needs of rural populations.

Research and scholarship are essential components of the University’s mission.   The University supports quality research and scholarly activities in all areas of its academic programs and community service activities.  These programs enhance the contributions of East Tennessee State University’s partnerships and collaborations. ETSU’s faculty is responsible for developing and maintaining programs of scholarly activity appropriate to their disciplines.  The University seeks to reward practicing researchers and scholars who are current and active in their disciplines and who incorporate the products of their research and scholarship in teaching, professional publications or exhibits or performances, and in professional services to business, education, government, the arts community (revised 11/08/99).

 ETSU STRATEGIC GOALS FOR THE 2000-2005 PLANNING CYCLE 

East Tennessee State University will emphasize its mission-distinctive focus through the following goals:

 1.        Expand and enrich student learning with

      a)       A commitment to a student centered environment

b)       Demonstrated quality undergraduate and graduate programs

c)       A strong General Education core

d)       A commitment to providing students opportunities for appropriate careers through advising, counseling, and planning

e)       Internship/Co-Ops opportunities

f)        A focus on health professions education and services

g)       Community based programs

h)       Interdisciplinary offerings

 2.        Conduct faculty and student research, scholarship, and creative activities that  

a)       Strengthen the learning environment

b)       Enhance the region

c)       Advance human knowledge

 3.        Serve and partner with our constituents to

a)       Enhance teaching, learning, and research

b)       Improve the quality of life and economic well being of the region

c)       Strengthen the community and university 

4.        Demonstrate a commitment to cultural diversity through

      a)       Expanded programs and activities

b)       Enhanced campus environment

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