1320 - Purpose, Functions, and Objectives of the University of Idaho

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Last updated: July 1, 2006

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A. PREFACE. The highest aspiration of a university is to imbue the human mind with knowledge, tolerance, and vision, and to stimulate a lasting attitude of inquiry. The University of Idaho shares this aspiration with universities everywhere. The particular purpose, functions, and objectives of the university have been defined as follows:

B. PURPOSE. In the widest sense, the purpose of the University of Idaho, a publicly supported comprehensive land-grant institution, is to serve the people of the state and nation as a major center for the preservation, advancement, and transmission of knowledge. Deriving from this purpose are the functions to be performed and the objectives to be achieved through the interaction of the various components and publics of the university.

C. BASIC FUNCTIONS AND OBJECTIVES. Since its founding, the functions of the university have been viewed as threefold--teaching, research, and service. The broad objectives relating to these functions are, respectively:

C-1. To offer undergraduate and graduate academic programs of excellent quality in the liberal arts and sciences and in many professional disciplines so that qualified students may develop into responsible, thinking citizens, provided with a sound general education, prepared for a lifetime of learning, and equipped with the professional and technical skills needed by society.

C-2. To add to knowledge through research, scholarship, and creative activities in both fundamental and applied fields, and to seek ways of applying that knowledge to the betterment and enrichment of humanity.

C-3. To make readily available to all people of the state the results of research and the rich heritage of human culture embodied in the arts and sciences.

D. UNIQUE FUNCTIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY. As a part of the coordinated system of higher education that encompasses the state universities and college and the public community colleges, the University of Idaho has historically had certain unique functions. Specifically, the university serves the state as (see also 1340 B):

D-1. Its comprehensive land-grant institution, with primary statewide responsibility for instruction, research, extension, and public service in agriculture, architecture, engineering, forestry and wildlife, law, mining and metallurgy, and in designated areas in the arts and sciences, business, and education.

D-2. The institution with principal responsibility for research, research-oriented graduate education, and the granting of the Ph.D. degree. As a concomitant of this responsibility, UI's faculty members conduct research as a clearly defined element of their professional duties.

D-3. The institution responsible for the state's role as a partner in regional cooperative programs in medical and veterinary medical education.

D-4. A center for professional education, operating accredited professional programs in architecture, chemistry, education, engineering, forestry, family and consumer sciences, law, music, and wildlife, fishery, and range sciences, and also offering comprehensive programs in the preparation of public-school teachers, administrators, and counselors.

E. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES. As a means of carrying out its basic and unique functions and realizing the broad objectives stated above, the university has identified the following specific objectives relating to students, faculty members, the general public, and other institutions of higher education:

E-1. Students. In relation to its students, the university will provide the opportunity and means of learning and encouragement to develop the mind. In particular, the university will:

a. Maintain a teaching faculty of the greatest possible competence and variety of cultural backgrounds, of noteworthy scholarly attainments and promise, and motivated to teach.

b. Encourage the development and use of effective instructional and advising techniques.

c. Foster unhurried personal contact between students and faculty members so that the love of learning may be contagious.

d. Keep current and improve the library, laboratory and demonstration equipment, audiovisual apparatus, and collections.

e. Consider the needs of students as individuals in the designing of academic programs.

f. Foster an academic environment conducive to the students' mental, physical, and social development and well-being.

g. Provide for participation by students in university affairs, so that they may both influence policy determination and gain experience in the democratic participatory process.

E-2. Faculty. In relation to the faculty, the university will:

a. Gather a group of capable and committed scholars into one community and assure them maximum freedom in their academic endeavors.

b. Provide the facilities for their continuing study and research and for their teaching.

c. Encourage the faculty to engage in scholarly and creative activity in the arts, sciences, and technological fields and to make the results available through publications, performances, and exhibitions.

d. Maintain adequate salaries and other benefits and an organizational structure conducive to good faculty morale.

e. Foster improvement in teaching techniques, including multidisciplinary approaches to contemporary problems.

f. Encourage participation by faculty members in professional and civic activities.

g. Provide for the effective functioning of faculty governance in accordance with the principles set forth in the university's charter and the constitution of the university faculty.

E-3. General Public. In relation to the general public, the university will:

a. Apply the benefits of knowledge by making expert faculty available to individuals and organizations for consultation or research on problems in the state, by participating in continuing-education programs, and by maintaining programs of extension and public service.

b. Contribute to the cultural life of the state by such means as publications, symposiums, concerts, dramatic productions, and art exhibitions.

c. Provide for and foster communication with various segments of the public (e.g., through advisory bodies) so that the citizenry may be aware of the values accruing to the state of Idaho from its institutions of higher education and encourage support for the educational system.

d. Extend all possible assistance to the elementary and secondary schools of the state.

E-4. Other Institutions of Higher Education. In relation to other institutions of higher education, the university will:

a. Cooperate in the coordination of its programs with those of other institutions of higher education so that maximum benefit may be realized from special capabilities and unnecessary duplication of effort may be avoided.

b. Cooperate in multi-institutional research and instructional programs that capitalize on the university's areas of special competence and advanced studies.

c. Cooperate in the development of faculty- and student-exchange programs for the enrichment of the individuals and the institution.

Version History

Amended 2006. Editorial changes.

Amended 1983. Edited to conform to FSH 1140 and 1240.

Adopted November 1973.