A clear mission statement is a critical starting point for programmatic assessment.

Mission statements outline the primary purpose(s) of the unit, and may indicate any philosophy that drives the unit's approach to achieving their goals. Academic missions should help answer the following questions from both a faculty and student point of view:

• What will the program try to teach students?
• How does the program integrate with the College (and CUNY) as a whole?
• What will students be expected to do?

 

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The CUNY Mission

The City University of New York traces its beginnings to the founding in 1847 of the Free Academy, the first tuition-free publicly supported institution of higher education in the United States. The Free Academy later became the City College of New York, the first of New York's municipal colleges. According to New York State Education Law, CUNY is "supported as an independent and integrated system of higher education on the assumption that the university will continue to maintain and expand its commitment to academic excellence and to the provision of equal access and opportunity for students, faculty and staff from all ethnic and racial groups and from both sexes." The law requires CUNY to "remain responsive to the needs of its urban setting and maintain its close articulation between senior and community college units."
          -- New York State Education Law. Article 125. Section 6201. "The City University of New York."

Department/Program Missions

African American Studies Program:

"The African American Studies Program is fully engaged in facilitating the mission of the College, which is to provide its students with an environment characterized by academic excellence and the opportunity for personal and professional development. It pursues this through a thorough and critical interdisciplinary examination of the experiences of people from Sub-Saharan Africa and the African disapora."

American Studies Program

Biology Department:

"The Department of Biology at the College of Staten Island has a multifaceted mission that concurs with the College's mission and goals, as listed in the Multiyear Academic Plan: 1995-2000. (1) ...the education of students in the basic principles of biology. ... (2) to contribute to the growth of biological knowledge through original research. ... (3) service to the Community, Department, College, and University. ... (4) ensure the entire community is served without discrimination."

Medical Technology Program:
"The Medical Technology Program at the College of Staten Island is designed and conducted to enable graduates to perform routine and advanced clinical laboratory tests as the primary analyst making specimen oriented decisions.

Our graduates will be able to influence laboratory-based decisions based on educational, technical and professional training and to thereby contribute to the quality of health care services.

Graduates of the Medical Technology Program will be prepared to sit for entry-level national certification examinations in the discipline and will be prepared to practice as ethical and competent professionals. "

Business Department

Chemistry Department

Computer Science Department

Education Department

English Department:

"The English Department of the College of Staten Island fosters intellectual curiosity, creative activity, and personal development through the study and production of literature and language. Our faculty offers courses to guide the interests of a diverse student body and assist their participation in civic life by exploring a significant range of literary voices, critical traditions, historical periods, and scholarly innovations. Our core goal is to cultivate students' ability to study and engage with the complex cultures in which they live."

History Department

Liberal Studies Program (MALS):

"The College of Staten Island launched its Master of Arts in Liberal Studies Degree Program in the Fall Semester, 1983. The CSI MALS program was designed to provide college graduates the opportunity to engage in an intensive study of Western society, culture, and thought, as well as comparisons with other societies and cultures. The curriculum consists of interdisciplinary courses in the social sciences and humanities specifically created for this program.

While open to all qualified holders of a Baccalaureate degree, the program has been designed with the needs of specific kinds of people in mind. For example, men and women who have recently graduated from college and desire to continue their studies of the liberal arts at a higher level; men and women returning to college several years after their bachelor's degree to refresh and sharpen their knowledge and skills; and business and professional people, especially those whose Baccalaureate studies were career-oriented and now desire to broaden their education.

We have sought to create a 'graduate-student' environment for our students, who out of necessity enroll on a part-time basis. Students are admitted to the program during the Fall semester and follow a sequential plan of study. The intent has been to create and maintain a community of scholars who enter and continue through the program together as a class. "

Library

Mathematics Department

Department of Media Culture

Certificate Program in Modern China Studies:

"China plays a major role on the world stage of the 21st century. The Certificate Program in Modern China Studies affords students from different majors an opportunity to study Modern China in an interdisciplinary fashion. Upon successful completion, students will have acquired a breadth of knowledge that will prepare them to confront the complex reality of contemporary China and provide them with certain advantages in seeking employment after graduation. The certificate is interdisciplinary and will draw upon courses in Chinese language, history, literature, and political science. All undergraduates are eligible to participate in the certificate."

Nursing Department:

Mission
"The mission of the Nursing Department is to educate professional nurses to meet the health care needs of people in a complex and dynamic world. In keeping with the mission of the College, the Nursing department is dedicated to helping students fulfill their professional aspirations and make contributions to society."

Philosophy
"Values and beliefs are the foundation of a nursing philosophy. We believe that nursing is a science and an art. The Department of Nursing's Philosophy addresses the phenomena of interest of the discipline, the metaparadigm of nursing: person, environment, health, and nursing."

Person
The focus of nursing is on person-environment interactions for health. The concept of person refers to individuals, families, and communities. Individuals are unique holistic beings with complex and interrelated needs. Families are two or more individuals related by blood, marriage, adoption, or emotional commitment, who have a relationship, and who work together to meet life's goals and needs. Communities are groups or aggregates of people that are located in proximity to one another and are interdependent for various types of resources and services.

Throughout peoples' life spans, they continuously and creatively interact with their environment. As social beings, people are interdependent with others. These interactions foster or hinder growth and wellness. The uniqueness of people is inherent in their genetic characteristics, cultures, roles, values, and experiences. Cultural differences have significant influence on health care needs and health-seeking behaviors.

Environment
The environment is the internal and external conditions and circumstances that influence the person. The environment is physical (global, national, regional and local), social, and symbolic. Examples of the physical environment are global warming, space, noise and overcrowding. Examples of the social environment are international conflicts, social support, competition, and marginality. Examples of the symbolic environment are power structures, values and knowledge. The environment interacts continuously with the person and changes continuously through person-environment interactions. Environmental conditions and circumstances provide opportunities and challenges for people and also influence health.

Health
Health is a dynamic process of being and becoming. It is reflected in the wholeness and interrelationship of the mind, body and spirit. Health supports human development and behavior potentials. The ongoing health process promotes integrity, wholeness, and well being throughout life.

Health is a dynamic person-environment process that changes throughout life. The concept of health includes the functions of health promotion, health protection through early detection, appropriate health maintenance, intervention in illness, and restoration of health.

Nursing
Nursing is a dynamic profession and a learned discipline. It is the art and science of assisting individuals, families, and communities to promote and protect health. Nurses are providers of care by application of professional values, knowledge, skills and critical thinking abilities to help others achieve optimum health.

Nurses use the nursing process to fulfill the functions of nursing. The nursing process involves assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. The nursing process is a cyclical, interactive and collaborative process, in which nurses use communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making. Nursing assessment is a process of collecting data about person-environment interactions regarding the health of individuals, families or communities. Nursing diagnoses are interpretations of health experiences of the person, including responses to health problems and life processes. Planning is a process of considering goals and strategies to achieve optimum health. Implementation is a process of putting plans into action and providing therapeutic nursing interventions to accomplish specific goals and outcomes. Evaluation is the process to determine that the goals and outcomes are achieved. In relationship with people, nurses contribute to quality of life and health outcomes, and support dying with dignity.

We believe that nursing as a discipline includes the differentiation of practice through educational preparations. As professionals, nurses are accountable to enhance safe practices, meet standards of practice, develop evidence-based practice patterns, and participate in continuous improvement of nursing practice. Nurses are responsible for their own personal and professional development through participation in professional organizations and in life-long learning activities. Nurses influence improvements in societal health through application of theory and research to the health care systems, working with community agencies, and through active involvement in political processes such as legislative actions.

Performing and Creative Arts:

"The mission of the Performing and Creative Arts department has at its core the creation of a nurturing environment where the students of the College of Staten Island/CUNY can learn the profound value of the arts in their various forms. We offer majors and minors in Studio Art, Art History, Dance, Music, Photography, and Theater, with classes that range from creative, personal practice to critical analysis. Each program includes a wide range of General Education courses designed to welcome all students to an encounter with the arts that will, hopefully, indelibly enrich their lives, no matter what profession they pursue. The Department's outstanding faculty of scholars and artistic practitioners is committed to cultivating in students wishing to embark on careers as creative artists, performers, critics, scholars, and educators, the critical thinking skills and sense of discipline, professionalism, and collaboration necessary to excel in a changing and competitive world. We strive to provide the rigorous training and compassionate mentorship that will enable students to leave CSI as culturally literate adults, imbued with the sense of imagination, wonderment, exploration, and deep engagement that is at the core of all artistic endeavors."

Political Science, Economics and Philosophy Department

Economics:
"Economics is an academic discipline that is central to the offerings of all major universities. As at most universities, economics plays an essential role in the general education required of all undergraduates, extending well beyond our undergraduate majors to essential courses in the core curriculum required of all CSI students, especially those majoring in business. At the College of Staten Island, it is the fundamental mission of the Economics faculty of Department of Political Science, Economics, and Philosophy to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in our discipline, to share that knowledge with our students, and to disseminate that knowledge with policymakers and leaders in the public, nonprofit, and business communities.

The Department of Political Science, Economics, and Philosophy supports the mission of the College of Staten Island and that of the City University of New York of commitment to academic excellence and provision of equal access and opportunity. The department offers Bachelor's degrees in Economics, Bachelor's degree programs in Economics with a Business specialization and a Finance specialization jointly with the Department of Business and a minor in Economics. Courses meet the needs of students in a variety of programs in the liberal arts and sciences, and the department's programs provide a solid background for a number of careers as well as for graduate or professional school. "

Geography:
"The mission of geography within CSI is to develop students' understanding of the complex forces that interact to shape the world. It should provide them with a sense of the diversity of environments and populations, the ways individuals and societies determine and use their resources and structure their societies, and affect linkages across space. The mission also is to create conditions supportive of faculty development, both to enhance student learning and to understand the complexities of geographical space and place. Thus geography's mission has been limited to introducing students to geographical knowledge rather than allowing full development of the possibilities through advanced work in a major."

Philosophy:
"The mission of the philosophy program is to help students to become critical, independent thinkers by introducing them to the principles of logical thinking and the writings of great philosophers."

Political Science:
"Why do we pay taxes? Why do wars happen? Is democracy the best form of government? Should government regulate the economy? Is public coordination needed for environmental protection? Is the UN relevant to America? What is justice? These are among the questions that political science and its subfields (American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory) address. The mission of political science program is to help students examine and understand the complex forces -- local, national and global -- that define our collective lives. Political regimes shape the lives and opportunities of their citizenry. Properly ordered regimes can provide a shared values, prosperity, and security for their citizens, while disordered political societies perpetuate injustice and insecurity, both economic and civil. Democratic societies generally share a consensus about constitutional norms, the structure of power, and societal objectives. Yet there may be legitimate disagreements about the proper role of government in society, and the rights and obligations of citizenship. The central tasks of the political science program at the College of Staten Island is to equip students with the analytic tools, both empirical and normative, to pursue a professional career and to become informed and responsible citizens as well as active participants in their political community.

The study of politics can also be rewarding in practical terms. Political Science is a useful preparation for a number of professions such as foreign service, campaign and political management, work in state and local government, law, criminal justice, international trade, business and investment, publishing, journalism, teaching, and the non-profit sector. Such career possibilities can be further explored through internships in local, state, national, and international agencies offered by the department."

Psychology

"Consistent with the College of Staten Island's mission to foster international education, the Department of Modern Languages' mission is to further international understanding and cultural diversity among our students through the study of languages, literatures, and cultures of our interconnected world."

Public Administration Minor:

"The mission of the minor in public administration at the College of Staten Island is to provide undergraduate students with a firm intellectual foundation to examine questions related to the role of the state in society, the ethical issues related to democratic governance, and the techniques of modern administrative science. The program also prepares students for careers in public service."

Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work:

"As a Department within CUNY and the College of Staten Island, SASW is committed to educational excellence and access. SASW seeks to impart critical thinking about societies from sociological, anthropological and social work perspectives. The Department offers a combined sociology-anthropology baccalaureate and minor, as well as a baccalaureate degree in social work. SASW also participates in several interdisciplinary programs including women's studies, science letters and society, liberal arts and the minor in disability studies."

Social Work BA:
"The BASW program at the College of Staten Island is committed to excellence in teaching and service, and to the creation and dissemination of knowledge. The program infuses diversity, respect for all people, and integrity in all its endeavors. It is grounded in liberal arts education. The BASW program provides a global context for understanding and addressing the experiences of people and societies that includes knowledge of cultural, economic, and political factors; and that fosters the values and ethics inherent in the profession, with particular emphasis on matters of social and economic justice, and global interconnectedness. The BASW program honors human diversity and acknowledges its vital role in advancing mutuality and interdependence."

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program:

"The WGS Program contributes to the mission of the College by providing students with a way to engage with the diversity of genders and sexualities and their unique contributions to culture and to critical discourse, both via the Program's General Education role and its offering of a major and minor. Further the WGS Program is a haven for faculty involved in interdisciplinary thought on women, gender, and sexuality at the College."

Department of World Languages & Literature:

"Consistent with the College of Staten Island's mission to foster international education, the Department of Modern Languages' mission is to further international understanding and cultural diversity among our students through the study of languages, literatures, and cultures of our interconnected world."

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Missions Statements of Divisions, Offices and Special Programs

Academic Affairs

Division of Humanities and Social Sciences

"The mission of the Office of the Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences is to uphold the academic rigor and standards of the division, and to ensure the quality of the personnel, curricula, and resources needed by the departments and programs in the division, as they engage in excellent teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activities and the creation and dissemination of new knowledge."

Institutional Research and Assessment

Center For International Service

Sponsored Programs and Research

Enrollment Management Group

Academic Advisement, and Evening & Weekend Services

Recruitment and Admissions

Registrar

Finance and Administration

"The Office of the Vice President for Finance and Administration supports the College's mission in a manner consistent with responsible fiscal and environmental stewardship."

Accounting Office:

"The Accounting Office is responsible for accounting, reconciling and reporting for the College's Tuition and Fee Income and IFR programs funds. The Accounting Office is also the custodian of the College's Giifts and Miscellaneous non-tax levy funds that include scholarship and commencement award accounts. As the custodian of these funds, the Accounting Office is responsible for recording and disbursing monies, upholding restrictions of the funds and the preparation of financial statements and reports."

CSI Auxiliary Services Corporation, Inc.

Environmental Health and Safety

Human Resources

Operational Services

Parking Services

Public Safety

Student Affairs

"VISION: To create a transformative environment for students as they develop in an evolving global society."
"MISSION: To actively engage students by providing learning opportunities that promote academic, personal and professional growth. The Division is committed to providing the most relevant opportunities for students to cultivate the qualities essential for engaged citizenship."
"VALUES: Integrity. Diversity. Excellence. Civility. Social/Personal Responsibility. Access. Collaboration. Student-Centeredness. Best Practices. Life-Long Learning. Advocacy. Leadership."

Campus Center

Career and Scholarship Center

Office of Disability Services

Health and Wellness Services

New Student Orientation/CLUE:

"The mission of New Student Orientation/CLUE is to promote in our students a sense of connection with the College of Staten Island. We assist new students with their transition to campus by providing programs and services that outline the University's academic requirements as well as social and developmental opportunities. We endeavor to provide exposure to and involvement in co-curricular programs; introduce students to the many aspects of our diverse campus community; and offer support on various transitional issues."

SEEK (Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge)

Technology Systems

Institutional Advancement

Alumni Association

Other

Modern Languages Media Center:

"The mission of the College of Staten Island's Modern Languages Media Center is to support and promote the study and instruction of foreign languages (French, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish and American Sign Language) literatures and cultures through the integration of instructional technology for both student and faculty use.

To achieve its mission, the Modern Languages Media Center strives for excellence in the delivery of a number of different services and resources to support the Department of Modern Languages, its faculty and the students of foreign languages at all levels of instruction. The services provided include the following: audio, video, and computer facilities and equipment, books and other printed resource materials, tutoring services, cultural events, film festivals, conversation hours and digital video taping and film projects."