Section 1. University of New Hampshire
The public research University of New Hampshire, with national and international agendas; having land grant, sea grant, and space grant charters; comprehensive, high quality undergraduate programs and graduate programs of distinction in selected fields; sponsored and unsponsored research yielding new knowledge across the spectrum of academic disciplines; outreach to the state, region, and nation through continuing education, cooperative extension, industrial research, and advanced level instruction.
Section 2. University of New Hampshire at Manchester
The primary mission of the University of New Hampshire at Manchester (UNHM) is to provide access to public higher education for people who live and work in the greater Merrimack Valley region of the State of New Hampshire. UNHM fulfills this mission by:
a. Offering selected liberal arts and professional degree programs at the associate, baccalaureate, and graduate levels with special emphasis on programs which address urban issues, and;
b. Providing transfer programs for students who wish to begin their education at UNHM and complete their degree requirements at the University of New Hampshire in Durham or at other academic institutions.
c. The College is founded on a strong liberal arts base and is dedicated to excellence in teaching. In addition to its own offerings, translocated programs from UNH-Durham and other USNH institutions enrich its academic core. UNHM also values institutional collaboration and has fostered articulation with area colleges and other USNH institutions.
Section 3. Plymouth State University
Description. Plymouth State University has a long tradition of meeting the evolving educational needs of the New Hampshire and New England community. Established in 1871 as Plymouth Normal School , the institution became Plymouth Teacher's College in 1939, Plymouth State College in 1963, and Plymouth State University in 2003. A founding member of the University System of New Hampshire, Plymouth State now serves New Hampshire and the New England region as a comprehensive institution of higher education. The University confers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Bachelor of Science degrees as well as Master's degrees and Certificates of Advanced Graduate Study in selected areas. Professional outreach activities and graduate courses are offered at several satellite locations around the state, and articulation agreements with other campuses of the University System and the New Hampshire Community Technical Colleges offer a variety of program and transfer opportunities. The University also contributes directly to the ongoing academic and cultural life of the region by providing a variety of continuing education programs, concerts and theater performances, art exhibits, and the athletic events of 17 varsity sports. PSU's attractive residential campus of wide greens, tree-lined walkways, and traditional brick buildings with an array of towers is located in the White Mountains and Lakes Region of New Hampshire, a pristine rural setting of great natural beauty and multiple outdoor recreational opportunities within easy access of the New England region.
a. Values. The college motto Ut Prosim , "that I may serve," underscores the values upon which the Plymouth State University mission is built. Dedicated to providing a learning environment that supports development of the mind, body and spirit, Plymouth State strives to prepare students for meaningful lives. Students are encouraged to be active agents in the education process together with the faculty, staff, and community. This philosophy is supported by the faculty and administration through a commitment to excellent teaching based on scholarship and creative endeavor, active involvement in college activities, and service to the wider community. Plymouth State is dedicated to providing learning experiences that promote understanding and respect for all people and constructive discourse that includes a range of perspectives. PSU strives to create an environment which supports diversity, equity and inclusiveness for the entire community and strives to prepare students to participate respectfully and responsibly in a pluralistic society.
b. Mission . As a public regional university, Plymouth State University serves the State of New Hampshire and New England by providing well-educated graduates; by offering ongoing opportunities for graduate education and professional development; and by extending to communities partnership opportunities for cultural enrichment and economic development. In each of these roles, Plymouth State University has a special commitment of service to the North Country and Lakes Region of New Hampshire. As a Carnegie Masters I University, Plymouth State confers a comprehensive range of bachelor's degrees as well as Master's degrees and Certificates of Advance Graduate Study in selected areas.
c. Vision. The educational philosophy of the University is based on the concepts of learner-centered teaching, experiential learning and academic excellence. The Plymouth State University education features a complementary relationship between liberal arts and professional studies, between academic and personal development, between service and individual growth, and between the University campus and the larger community. Programs of study are designed to engage students and to prepare them for gratifying and productive careers. The undergraduate general education program gives students a broad perspective on ideas and an awareness of diverse human experiences and cultures. Academic majors and minors build on this foundation by providing concentrated learning in areas of choice. Graduate programs provide professional competency and leadership as well as the advancement of knowledge in specialized areas. In both undergraduate and graduate programs, experiential learning in the world of career and professional practice such as internships, field experiences, service learning, study abroad programs and other practical learning partnerships allows students to become directly involved in testing and applying academic theories and ongoing personal and professional development.
Section 4. Granite State College
Granite State College shall be the University System organization responsible for the expansion and administration of the off-campus educational programs of the University System institutions to serve all areas of the state. Working closely with the Cooperative Extension Service and other appropriate units, the College shall assess the education needs of the people of New Hampshire and develop programs utilizing the resources of the University System to meet those needs.
a. The College shall offer individual courses of instruction, certificate and degree programs, and a broad range of educational services to be made available to citizens through seminars, workshops, independent study, conferences, and so forth. The College is authorized to administer and award the Bachelor of General Studies degree, and the College joins with academic departments in offering master-level programs.
b. The faculty of the College shall be drawn primarily from the faculty of institutions within the University System; however, faculty members of other institutions, as well as community persons who have demonstrated merit in their areas of specialization, shall be encouraged to accept teaching assignments with the College.
c. The Faculty Executive Council, comprised of representatives of each college and school of the University System, shall have the following roles and responsibilities:
(1) Approve, for implementation by the President, academic policies, procedures and programs which have been developed by the College staff or jointly with the University System faculty
(2) Assist in the evaluation of College programs and activities
(3) Serve as a liaison between the College and the college or school each faculty member represents
(4) Approve the appointment of adjunct faculty (from outside the University System) who will serve in an advisory/sponsor capacity, and/or approve specific criteria which the College should use when wishing to make such appointments
(5) Identify courses, programs and faculty from their respective colleges or schools which can be utilized by the College staff in service to learners
(6) Recommend goals, objectives and strategies for increasing the effectiveness of the College's operation
(7) Assist the College in the determination of appropriate educational programs for adult citizens of the state
(8) Review, on a regular basis, organizational and operational procedures in light of the stated objectives and goals of the College
(9) Certify candidates for degrees
d. A state-wide citizens' planning council, including representation for business, industry, the professions, agriculture, state and local government, shall provide guidance to the College in terms of current programs and future direction.
Granite State College is expressly intended to provide educational opportunities for higher education to those whom the institutions do not otherwise reach through their campus-based programs. It strives to provide programs for individuals who do not have access to formal college or university-level study on the campuses or who cannot find success or meet their personal and occupational needs through traditional educational avenues. The College seeks to serve learners of all ages through innovative and dynamic programming that reflects the changing needs of its students and society.