Institutional Effectiveness provides real-time data to drive informed decisions for university leaders. View more detailed information, reports and links on Strategic Planning, Institutional and Program Accreditation, State University System Reports, and Institutional Research Studies.
Strategic Planning
USFSP’s Nelson Poynter Memorial Library
The strategic plan for 2013-2017 is currently being finalized. The process was coordinated by a faculty-led group called the Planning, Effectiveness and Budget Committee (PEBC). The target date for final review and approval of the new strategic plan by USFSP’s Campus Board is summer 2012. This date corresponds to the University’s budget planning cycle.
The strategic plan that is still in effect is called “Points of Focus, 2009-2013.” This strategic plan was approved by the USFSP Campus Board on January 26, 2010 and by the USF Board of Trustees on June 24, 2010.
If the new strategic plan is approved, the mission of the University will remain the same as in previous years, however, a new vision will help guide the institution in the immediate years ahead:
The University of South Florida St. Petersburg, an honors, community-engaged institution on the waters of historic Bayboro Harbor, will be recognized as the destination of choice for undergraduate and graduate education.
It is also proposed that under the new strategic plan initiatives will be organized within goals and objectives which remain the same as in the previous strategic plan.
- Academic Performance
- Student Engagement
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Research and Creative Activities
- Environmental Stewardship
- Administration and Financial Stewardship
- View the strategic plan for 2013 – 2017
- View the strategic plan for 2009 – 2013
- View the Strategic Planning Web site
- View the PEBC Web site
Institutional and Program Accreditation
SACS – Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The University of South Florida St. Petersburg is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award degrees at the baccalaureate and master’s levels. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.
Please note that the institution is expected to be accurate in reporting to the public its status with the Commission. The Commission is to be contacted only if there is evidence that appears to support an institution’s significant non-compliance with a requirement or standard. View USFSP’s SACS Web site.
QEP – Quality Enhancement Plan
As part of the SACS accreditation process, the institution was required to develop a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). USFSP’s QEP is entitled “The Success Equation” and its purpose is to improve student learning and success in specific courses: algebra, finite mathematics and statistics. These mathematics and statistics courses are gateway courses in that they are required for entry into the major and the concepts that are mastered in these courses are necessary for success in the major.
The university has completed Year-1 of the five-year QEP.
- View a copy of the QEP
- View a copy of the QEP Year-1 Report
Program Accreditation
AACSB – The College of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. AACSB is the premier accrediting agency for degree programs in business administration and accounting. Only 15 percent of business school programs worldwide meet the rigorous standards for AACSB accreditation.
NCATE – The College of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education the national accrediting body for schools, colleges, and departments of education authorized by the U.S. Department of Education. NCATE determines which schools, colleges, and departments of education meet rigorous national standards for initial teacher preparation programs and advanced educator preparation programs. The Teacher Education Program is also approved by the State of Florida Department of Education.
ACEJMC – Within the College of Arts and Sciences, the Journalism and Media Studies program is accredited by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. ACEJMC is the national accrediting body for professional programs in journalism and mass communications. Approximately 25 percent of all journalism and mass communication programs in the United States are fully accredited and USFSP’s journalism program is one of 113 journalism programs nationally accredited by the ACEJMC.
State University System Reports
Annual Reports and Work Plans
As a part of State University System (SUS) reporting requirements, USF St. Petersburg submits annual reports and work plans for approval by the USF Board of Trustees (BOT) which are then submitted to the Florida Board of Governors (BOG). This BOG requirement originated in 2009 and Annual Reports contain information on status of progress on Work Plans.
- View the 2011 Annual Report, approved by the BOT 1/12
- View the 2010 Annual Report, approved by the BOT 12/10
- View the 2009 Annual Report, approved by the BOT 12/09
- View the 2012 Work Plan, being prepared
- View the 2011 Work Plan, approved by the BOT 6/11
- View the 2010 Work Plan, approved by the BOT 6/10
Academic Learning Compacts
Another BOG reporting requirement is the preparation of Academic Learning Compacts (ALCs) which were introduced by the BOG in 2004 to ensure student achievement in baccalaureate degree programs in the SUS. ALCs identify expected program/department outcomes, describe assessment strategies and report use of results for program/department improvement.
Institutional Research Studies
The Institutional Research, Planning and Effectiveness Office supports university institutional effectiveness efforts.
- View USFSP’s Institutional Fact Book
- View the Institutional Effectiveness Web site