Goals of the Study     |     Major Components of the Self-Study     |     List of Exhibits

I.          GOALS OF THE STUDY

            A.        Mission Statements.

1.      Institutional Mission.  The Florida State University is a public graduate research university, devoted to excellence and the development of each student’s abilities.  The University aims to educate students from diverse communities in an atmosphere that forges a life-long commitment to higher education built on a strong liberal arts base.  To this end, the institution seeks to involve students in collegiate activities, ranging from research opportunities with talented professors to participation in and appreciation for intercollegiate athletics.  The University aspires to teach every student the value of excellence, pursued through diligent effort and aimed toward achieving the highest goals.  While students are challenged to set the highest personal goals, it is the mission of the University and its athletics programs to ask students to think in terms of regional, national, and even international standards of excellence.  The University’s mission statement in its entirety is provided in Exhibit 1.

2.  Departmental Mission.  The mission of the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at The Florida State University complements the institutional mission by focusing on excellence.  Students are encouraged to seek academic achievement, pursue athletic goals, and develop character. Through participation in intercollegiate athletics, students pursue excellence in academics while participating in an intercollegiate athletic program whose environment is consistent with the highest standards of academic scholarship, sportsmanship, ethics, and institutional loyalty.  The Department’s mission statement is included in Exhibit 2.

            B.        RelationshipBetween Mission Statements and NCAA Certification.

The University and Department’s mission statements are consistent with the objectives and benefits of the NCAA Division I Athletic Certification Program.  The high standards set by the NCAA and the institutional and departmental missions are mutually supportive and complementary.  The NCAA Certification process will assist the University and the Department in accomplishing the following objectives:

1.         Enriching the quality of the educational experience of  students, thereby helping to develop a sense of pride and belonging;

2.         Enhancing the outreach and public service functions of the University throughout local, state, regional, and national communities, thereby enriching the quality of life for all citizens;

3.         Promoting the University’s high-quality image throughout the state, region, and nation;

4.         Promoting the University’s goals and achievements pertaining to diversity, inclusiveness, and fairness;

5.         Maximizing the potential for both personal and academic achievement of all students, including student-athletes; 

6.         Realizing the highest levels of accomplishment that can be attained by individuals and groups cooperating in an environment characterized by harmony, integrity, and basic human decency;

7.         Constantly seeking improvements throughout the Department, University, and realm of intercollegiate athletics as opportunities are identified and advanced;

8.         Providing opportunities to educate campus constituencies and the public about the University’s intercollegiate athletics program’s goals, purposes, challenges, and the myriad ways in which intercollegiate athletics supports the institutional mission; and

9.         Affirming the many positive aspects of the University’s intercollegiate athletics program to the University community and the general public.

The University and its Athletics Department welcome the self-study process, the peer review evaluation, and subsequent visit by the NCAA Accreditation Team.  A thorough review of the NCAA operating principles and its application provides an opportunity to examine institutional practices, articulate the role of athletics in an academic environment, and make improvements while bringing a better understanding of the focus and mission of Athletics to the many constituencies throughout our campus. 

Goals of the Study     |     Major Components of the Self-Study     |     List of Exhibits