Revision 2005
Reference page assembled by
David R. Bains, September, 2005
Introduction
The Samford University Board of Trustees adopted a new set of Foundational Statements (including a new mission statement) in September 2005. This document contains the previous set of foundational statements developed in the 1990s, the foundational statements drafted by the revision committee and submitted to the board of trustees in spring 2005, and the final version adopted by the Board of Trustees.
Among other things, the university's "Baptist" and "Christian" identity was clearly in play in these statements.
MCPPV Statements in
place 2004 (developed 1990-1992, revised mid-1990s)
Source: http://www.samford.edu/mcpvv.html Last updated: Feb. 4, 2005; accessed Sept. 17, 2005.
FOUNDATIONAL STATEMENTS
At all levels of
activity, everyone must be pulling together. We must share basic understandings
among all operational units. True constancy of purpose is
achieved by reaching reasonable commonality concerning mission,
customers, critical processes, values, vision.
I. Mission
The mission of
II. Customers
The customers of
The primary customers
of
III. Critical Processes
Critical processes are
those operating, cross-functional processes essential to an effective working
relationship with the primary customers of an institution, and to fulfillment
of the mission. They define activities which must be
continuously improved if quality is to be optimized throughout the
organization.
The critical processes
of
Learning: Design and implement
formal and informal programs that provide information, insight, and integration
of knowledge and practice, supplementing classroom and work experiences with
campus involvements that nurture the physical, intellectual, emotional, social,
vocational and spiritual capacities of each person, and increase international
awareness.
Planning: Assess strengths and
weaknesses, identify emerging needs and opportunities, eliminate
what is no longer needed. Devise strategies to optimize the deployment of
available resources in meeting the highest priorities of the institution.
Enrolling: Identify, attract, recruit
and retain students likely to contribute most to the community, and to benefit
most from Samford's distinctive educational process, meeting their needs for
guided instruction; personal support; financial assistance; academic, social
and spiritual advising; career guidance; and vocational placement.
Staffing: Identify, attract and
employ faculty and staff academically qualified, personally suited to offer
effective instruction or other service congruent with the mission of this
University. Be responsive to the material, personal, social and spiritual needs
of the community. Sustain the educational enterprise and each person with
needed administrative, technical and support services in ways that affirm the
values of this University and fulfill its mission.
Funding: Establish and
cultivate relationships that will yield human and material resources. Assemble,
manage and deploy the fiscal resources necessary to defray current and capital
costs of University operations. Maintain an unimpeachable process of fund
accounting, a prudent investment of assets, and a cost-conscious preservation
of the aesthetics and utility of the physical campus.
Living: Plan and manage a
responsive campus environment in which beauty and usefulness support the
learning process. Provide safe, secure and hospitable residential quarters.
Offer necessary support services to meet physical, social, spiritual and
personal needs of the community. Encourage wholesome, nutritious and appealing
dining. Demonstrate ecological awareness and responsibility. Encourage
wholeness and health, and the following of Christian standards in corporate and
personal endeavors.
Marketing: Provide an accurate,
comprehensive and appealing interpretation of Samford to its public to bolster
the pride of the community, to enhance the reputation of the University, to
stimulate additional customers to support its mission and to increase public
awareness of the value of its services.
Complying: Identify every
educational, denominational and governmental agency whose approval is necessary
or desirable. Understand the criteria and regulations by which each accredits,
certifies and approves. Meet or exceed such standards in all areas of
University life, or decline to do so as a justifiable act of deliberate choice.
IV. Value Standards
Operational beliefs,
tested over many years, provide dependable norms for organizational behavior.
These non-negotiable convictions are essential to its integrity and expressive
of its mission.
As a Christian
community of learners,
belief in God as Creator and in the traditions of the Christian
faith
the ministry and mission of the church
the infinite worth of persons and the development of the full
potential of each person at every stage in life, and "love of neighbor as
one's self"
the making of ethical choices based on the life of Jesus Christ,
the teachings of the Bible, the well-being of others and an informed conscience
openness, truthfulness, justice and fairness among persons of
both sexes, all races and ethnic identities, all ages and all levels of
giftedness; and respect for opinions, convictions and beliefs different from
one's own
the aspiration for personal achievement, economic self
sufficiency and public usefulness
a work ethic characterized by diligence, honesty, thrift and a
sincere effort to do one's best
civic awareness and responsibility, the processes of
representative government, understanding of other cultures, and sensitivity to
other people, places and systems
service to community and constituency, within the University and
the wider society
V. Vision
Vision is the future to
which an institution aspires as it fulfills its mission and expresses its
values. It describes the attainable progress most cherished and most worthy of
the commitment of every member of the community.
The vision of
Aggressive in
emphasizing learning, the integration of knowledge and the relationship of
Christian faith to all human concerns--intellectual, emotional, physical and
spiritual
An ideal setting where
Christian community values predominate in classroom and residential settings, where
diagnostics direct assistance and mentoring to the unique needs and gifts of
each student, and where Christian charity is normative
Aware of and involved
in global economic, political, cultural and religious challenges confronting
society, and encouraging leadership in meeting those challenges
Secure in its
distinctive identity, choosing to be a developing model rather than replicating
another; applying quality improvement principles and practices to managerial
and academic processes
Foundational Statements submitted by revision
committee to the Board of Trustees, March 2005
Source: http://www.samford.edu/foundationalstatements/
Last Updated: March 31, 2004, accessed September 17,
2005
After revision in
response to community comments during January, February and March, the final
draft of Samford’s revised Foundational Statements is ready for consideration
by the University’s Board of Trustees.
Identity
Samford was founded in 1841 by Alabama Baptists and enhances their
commitment by developing and maintaining an exemplary Christian ethos and
culture.
Samford offers associate's, bachelor’s, master’s, and professional doctoral
degrees.
Samford serves students
through eight academic units:
Mission
The mission of
Core Values
belief in God as Creator
learning and responsible freedom of inquiry
personal empowerment, accountability, and responsibility
vocational success and civic engagement
spiritual growth and cultivation of physical well-being
integrity, honesty, and justice
appreciation for diverse cultures and convictions
stewardship of all resources
engagement with the life and teachings of Jesus
generosity and loving fellowship
service to God, to family, to one another, and
to the community.
Vision
Anchored in Christian
understanding,
Revised 3/30/2005
Foundational Statements as adopted by Board of Trustees, September 16,
2005
Source: http://www.samford.edu/mission.html Last Updated September 16, 2005; accessed
September 17, 2005.
Approved by the Board
of Trustees September 16, 2005
IDENTITY
Samford
was founded in 1841 by Alabama Baptists. In the present day, it maintains its
ties to Alabama Baptists, extending and enhancing their original commitment by
developing and maintaining in the campus community an exemplary Christian ethos
and culture.
Samford offers associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and professional doctoral
degrees, as well as continuing education and various types of worthwhile,
non-degree learning.
Samford serves students
through eight organizational units: Howard College of Arts and Sciences,
McWhorter School of Pharmacy, Cumberland School of Law,
MISSION
The mission of
CORE VALUES
belief in God, the Creator of heaven and
earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord.
engagement with the life and teachings of Jesus
learning and responsible freedom of inquiry
personal empowerment, accountability, and responsibility
vocational success and civic engagement
spiritual growth and cultivation of physical well-being
integrity, honesty, and justice
appreciation for diverse cultures and convictions
personal empowerment, accountability, and responsibility
stewardship of all resources
service to God, to family, to one another, and
to the community.
VISION
Anchored in Christian
understanding,
Assembled by David R. Bains;
revised September 17, 2005