Message from the Chancellor

On behalf of the faculty, staff, administration and students of Montana State University Billings, I am pleased to welcome the evaluation committee from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities for our 10-year accreditation review and to present this self-study for your review.

The mission of MSU Billings continues to be to provide a quality education experience for students through excellence in faculty, administration, staff and services. However, beginning fall 2005, the University community began an institutional review of our mission and the document now includes our Core Purpose, Mission, Vision and Core Values. This is a comprehensive document that falls in line with the mission statement of the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE) and includes the institution’s role within Montana’s higher education system and its relationship to the business and industry communities.

There is much interest nationally in issues of accountability and assessment and Montana State University Billings has made strides in that area and this self-study contains details on work that is being done. This report also lays a foundation for work that needs to be done in the future so the university community can strengthen its mission and programs to better meet student, community and state needs.

This report has involved the university community at all levels. The work is deeply appreciated and I believe it was time well spent.

We trust that when your work is completed, Montana State University Billings will have its accreditation reaffirmed through 2018. I thank the university and accreditation team for involvement in this process.

Sincerely,

Ronald P. Sexton, Ph.D.
Chancellor