3.1.1 Mission

The mission statement is current and comprehensive, accurately guides the institution’s operations, is periodically reviewed and updated, is approved by the governing board, and is communicated to the institution’s constituencies.

Judgment of Compliance

Compliance

Narrative of Justification

Bennett College's mission statement clearly communicates the essence of the institution, its distinctiveness and unique characteristics and its primary constituents.  The mission statement’s first sentence indicates that the institution is a small, private, liberal arts historically Black college for women.  The major educational components and its primary constituents are further described in the mission statement; to wit, the College attracts a diverse, global community of faculty, students and staff.  The College is a United Methodist Church-related institution, which in part, forms the foundation to promote an environment for the development of a morally grounded maturation, intellectually honest student who appreciates the responsibility for public service and is a participant in the civil society.

Bennett College’s mission statement guides the directions, decisions, activities, policies, and procedures of the institution in establishing an interdisciplinary, learning-centered environment for students, working cooperatively with faculty and staff.  The mission statement provides the framework for students to develop and use sophisticated intellectual skills, including critically thinking and analysis, computational problem solving techniques, and the ability to work with diverse cultures and peoples in a harmonious and respectful manner.  At Bennett College, education takes place in an environment of open inquiry where teachers and students are immersed in the educational and co-curricular process that build community, foster authentic research and scholarly activities, create knowledge, and advance personal and professional empowerment and growth.

Evidence that the mission statement has been approved formally and reviewed periodically by the institution’s Board of Trustees is detailed in the Board of Trustees Minutes dated February 15, 2003.  The current mission statement of the College was reviewed and revised by the Board of Trustees in 2005.

Bennett College communicates its mission statement in a consistent manner to its constituencies through a variety of mechanisms.  These mechanisms include publication of the mission statement on the Bennett College website, and in the College’s various handbooks (e.g. Employee Handbook, Faculty Handbook, College Catalog 2007-2008 ), as well as posting copies of the mission statement in offices and other areas throughout the institution. 

Bennett College’s mission statement guides the decisions of the institution by ensuring that its major institutional goals and objectives are achieved, which is the education and celebration of women in an environment that fosters their growth and development as citizens of the global community.

Supporting Documents

SOURCE	LOCATION/Special Instructions
Board of Trustees Minutes dated February 15, 2003	Office of the President
College Catalogs AY 2005-2006 AY 2006-2007 AY 2007-2008	Office of the Registrar
College Website: Mission and Philosophy	www.bennett.edu/web/about/mission.htm
Employee  Handbook	Human Resources
Faculty Handbook	Office of Academic Affairs