Criterion Five - The institution demonstrates integrity in its practices
and relationships.
The integrity of the university is expressed generally in its commitment to
shared ethical values, alignment of practice with policy, expectations for academic
honesty, full disclosure of various corporate relationships, and operation without
conflict of interest. Specific practices embedded in these commitments are satisfactory
overall. Compliance with federal law, e.g. Campus Security Act, is also satisfactory.
The university has demonstrated its present and future intent to operate with
integrity in its select mission statement (letters g, h, and i), in its statement
of values, and in its Reach for the Future document (goal IV). The university's
1998 Self-Study Report addressed the criterion by discussion of academic freedom,
shared governance, personnel rights and policies, student rights, equity and
diversity, public information, relationships with external groups, intercollegiate
athletics, grants administration and research ethics, and general federal compliance.
Issues of shared governance, personnel rights and policies, and equity and diversity,
however, remain important for the institution to monitor further, and in some
cases, improve upon. Shared governance, a traditional strength of the institution
is perceived by some faculty and students to have eroded. Statements similar
to the quote "democracy has become oligarchy" were offered with some
frequency. The challenge for the university remains for all voices to be solicited,
heard, and communicated with consistently.
For some, a perception exists that a fact/value split is evident on campus between
the written procedures of rights, policies, grievances, and appeals and their
legal and ethical execution. Although perhaps partly a function of communication
both ways, the administration is urged to be sensitive and consistent when acting
upon formal personnel policies.
A great concern to the university should be its lack of progress in enriching
its campus climate with the attraction and retention of more people of color
in the faculty ranks and student body as well as healthier representation of
women administrators in mid- and upper-level management. Greater attention in
terms of personnel an-d fiscal resources, to the intents of such documents as
Affirmative Action Plans and Design for Diversity Reports, particularly given
the institution's geographical location near a major metropolitan area, should
bring about greater success. The resources of the Office of Equity and Compliance,
the Academic Success Center, the faculty Affirmative Action and Multicultural
Advisory committees, and the student Diversity Awareness committee should also
be brought to bear separately, collectively, and actively.
The Chancellor, Director of Athletics, and the Associate Athletic Director work
closely with two faculty athletic representatives to maintain strict compliance
and integrity in Intercollegiate Athletics. The faculty Senate Athletic Committee
and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee provide oversight and closely monitor
the welfare and enhancement of the athletic program and the student-athlete.
The team finds that UW-River Falls has met Criterion Five
Federal Compliance and Third Party Comments
No third party comments were received by the NCA Commission. The Team is, however,
satisfied that UW-River Falls appropriately notified the public of their opportunity
to offer comments.