With respect to missing the point…
Mission is that to which one commits (Step 3) in the Framework for
Purposeful Action.  Of course the first step is Vision formed through
Introspection.  Assessment (Step10) is necessary to measure progress towards
goals (Step 4) pursuant to mission.  Thus, assessment need not be included
in a ‘statement of mission’ provided, however, one performs actions with all
Twelve Steps of the Framework!

The Framework is summarized simply in just two pages (18 and 19) of the
book: “The Purpose and Meaning of Life: If I had known…”

www.purposeandmeaningoflife.com <http://www.purposeandmeaningoflife.com/>  <
http://www.purposeandmeaningoflife.com/> .

Best regards.

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Subject: Mission of UTC?

Just out of curiosity, does anyone else think that the mission of the
University should explicitly include our responsibility to assess the
performance of our students in a meaningful way?  That is, although we are
certainly here to inspire our students and encourage them in their journey
to learn, we are also obligated to evaluate, critically, how well they have
learned.

In the popular business vernacular, our students are our customers, but they
are also our "products."  By granting them a degree, and by the grades we
assign, we are making a statement about their "fitness for duty" (so to
speak)--information that is very valuable to potential employers, who are
also our customers.

Isn't assessment of student performance an essential part of our core
mission as educators?  Shouldn't we mention it in our University mission
statement?

Or have I missed the point?
___________________________________

Dr. Robert T. Bailey
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
College of Engineering and Computer Science
615 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN  37403
Phone: (423) 755-4309
Fax: (423) 755-5229
E-mail: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>
___________________________________