Glossary

Action item
A specific activity, with measurable outcomes, that is aligned with an initiative or strategic goal. Example: establish effective 2+2 transfer options for Oregon transfer students in the top 10 Western Oregon University transfer majors

Core themes
Outcomes that manifest essential elements of Western Oregon University’s mission in support of Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accreditation

HECC
Higher Education Coordinating Commission

Metric
Measure of progress toward outcome. Example: number of pathways to graduation in 180 credits created by June 2017

Mission
The university’s primary purpose and its reason for existence

National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)
Student engagement represents two critical features of collegiate quality. The
first is the amount of time and effort students put into their studies and other educationally purposeful activities. The second is how the institution deploys its resources and organizes the curriculum and other learning opportunities to get students to participate in activities that decades of research studies show are linked to student learning.
wou.edu/institutionalresearch/additional-info

Outcome
Measurable results for progress toward a goal or strategic initiative. Example: Transfer pathways in all programs created by June 2017

Purpose
What our university does for others how it affects the world around it

Strategic initiative
A project that is designed to help achieve an institutional priority (or goal). Example: streamline university requirements and academic pathways

Strategic priority
A key area of work for the university that forms the basis for action items and strategic initiatives

Values
Principles that guide the university’s work and relationships

Vision
The desired future state to which our university aspires in several years’ time

Source: Strategic Planning in Higher Education, Sherrie Tromp
and Bren Ruben, NACUBO, 2004, pp. 39-41