Institutional Self-Study Report

for faculty hiring at all of its constituent colleges. However, despite recent hiring freezes (just lifted in fall 2011), Hostos has been able to maintain staffing levels that meet the College’s needs.

Recommendations for improvements center on ways to systematize assessment of administrative structures, as well as to communicate across administrative processes and structures. Specific recommendations include: identify indicators to continuously assess the effectiveness of administrative structures within each division, especially those that support teaching and learning; systematize communication among administrative units so that feedback loops exist to strengthen programs and services; and better define, document, and communicate the details of Hostos’ administrative procedures, timelines, and structures.

Standard 6 – Ethical Behavior, Academic Freedom, and Equity Well-Evidenced in Policy and Practice Working Group 1 found that Hostos has stated policies in place that clearly articulate the parameters of ethical behavior, including those that provide unambiguous support to the principles of academic freedom. Federal, state, city, contractual, and CUNY regulations, as well as Middle States Standards, inform these policies. The focus of many of the policies and procedures relates to complaints and accommodations. The mode of enforcement or redress is often explicitly outlined in the actual policy, regulation and/or contract.

Working Group 1 also found that Hostos explicitly and comprehensively ensures that all members of the college community are treated equitably and appropriately, regardless of status.

Employment, ethics, and operational policies are widely disseminated online and in print to students, faculty and staff across the college at all levels. This cultivates a climate of academic inquiry and engagement and fosters a community of respect for people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

Recommendations for improvements center on how to better communicate and assess policies and practices related to institutional integrity. Specific recommendations include: focus more regularly on activities that enhance knowledge and discussion about current ethics policies and procedures; periodically assess compliance with principles of academic freedom (alongside CUNY academic freedom initiatives); and more regularly re-examine equitability of treatment of faculty, staff, and students as demand for support and services changes over time.

Standard 7 – Culture of Institutional Assessment Growing, Key Priority of New Strategic Plan Working Group 7 found that Hostos, like every other college in the United States, continues to grapple with building a self-sustaining culture of assessment. However, since Hostos’ 2007 Periodic Review Report (PRR), the college has increased the depth of its assessment of student learning, strengthening academic program review and general education assessment alongside continuous outcomes assessment efforts. It has also increased the breadth of assessment across divisions, implementing a range of activities designed to help the College understand its overall effectiveness in achieving its mission and goals via its programs and services. Through the 2011-16 Strategic Plan, the institution is also working toward a fully integrated system that connects planning, assessment, and outcomes, thus “closing the loop” between assessment and the College’s ongoing efforts to effect institutional change and renewal.

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