attempt to match the research infrastructure that characterizes most of the SUS research-intensive institutions. Consequently, the success enjoyed by FGCU in just a decade is noteworthy.
Last year alone (2009-2010), FGCU generated annual research and sponsored program awards of $14.4 million. FGCU’s annual R&D expenditures amount to roughly $33,000 per full- time faculty member [See Table 6A], while this same full-time faculty provides instruction for about 80% [See Table 4L] of all student credit hours. FGCU’s sponsored research and grants are especially strong in the College of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences. Research strengths have emerged in the life sciences, particularly biotechnology and environmental and marine sciences. With a gift of $1M, John Backe recently endowed a chair in Renewable Energy within the College of Arts and Sciences that will be significantly enhanced with the addition of $200,000 in New Florida funding recommended by the Board of Governors. The University’s Vester Marine Laboratory on Estero Bay is taking a major role in monitoring the impact of the recent BP oil spill upon the Gulf region ecosystem.
In terms of the quality of its academic programs, FGCU now has earned 13 specialized accreditations and is actively pursuing others.
The Bower School of Music intends to seek initial accreditation in 2011 and the College of Education in 2012.
In addition to ensuring quality through accreditation, FGCU has taken care to ensure that growth of enrollment does not affect student experience. Despite its growth, FGCU has consistently kept its focus on student learning, keeping the percentage of total undergraduate student credit hours taught by full-time instructional faculty close to 80% [See Table 4L].
Current and Prospective* Specialized Accreditations
Lutgert College of Business - AACSB International-The Association
to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
U.A. Whitaker School of Engineering – Engineering Accreditation
Commission of ABET
B.S. Bioengineering B.S.C.E. Civil Engineering
B.S. Environmental Engineering
Master of Public Administration - National Association of Schools
of Public Affairs and Administration
Master of Science in Nursing Anesthesia - Council on
Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational programs
Master of Science in Occupational Therapy - American
Occupational Therapy Association Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
Doctor of Physical Therapy - Commission on Accreditation in
Physical Therapy Education, American Physical Therapy Association
M.A. in Mental Health and M.A. or M.Ed. School Counseling -
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs/American Counseling Association
B.S.N. and M.S.N. (in Nursing) - Commission on Collegiate
Nursing Education
Bachelor of Science in Social Work - Council on Social
Work/Division of Standards and Accreditation
Master of Science in Social Work - Council on Social
Work/Division of Standards and Accreditation
Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science - National
Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
B.S. in Professional Golf Management Major - Professional Golf
Association of America
B.S. in Athletic Training - Commissions on Accreditation of
Athletic Training Education
*In addition, the University is actively seeking accreditation for the Bower School of Music and the College of Education.
BOARD OF GOVERNORS – STATE UNIVERSITY
SYSTEM GOAL 4: MEETING COMMUNITY NEEDS AND FULFILLING UNIQUE INSTITUTIONAL
RESPONSIBILITIES (see page 6 )
PROGRESS ON PRIMARY INSTITUTIONAL GOALS AND METRICS AS OUTLINED IN THE UNIVERSITY WORK PLAN
FGCU has included three major goals of its current strategic plan (2010-2015) within its University Work Plan:
1) Strategic Growth defined by increased access through enrollment growth, increased faculty and staff resources to support enrollment growth, additional physical and
financial resources to sustain growth, and increased degree production as an outcome of that growth.
2) Academic Excellence to be achieved by additional breadth of its program offerings to meet state and regional needs; quality assurance through assessment and accreditation; enhanced diversity through internationalization; effective academic support services; and expansion of opportunities for FGCU students to pursue studies, research, and
scholarship.
3) Environmental Sustainability and Innovation as
demonstrated through construction of green buildings; actions to reduce energy costs; student engagement geared to environmental awareness; research into green
technology; and public/private partnerships to advance economic diversification.
FGCU is making significant progress toward the achievement of these goals. Fall enrollment this year matches its projection; over 20 new faculty were hired for this fall and recruitment has begun for an equal number of new faculty positions for next fall. A new performing arts building, home of the Bower School of Music, was opened this fall. Degree production rose 10% last year over the previous year. In August, FGCU received notification that its three engineering programs had achieved ABET accreditation. Early enrollment figures for the fall show the number of international students jumped 6% over fall 2009. Student Government has provided funds to increase hours the library is open by about 15%. Freshman enrollment in FGCU’s Honors program more than doubled over last year. FGCU achieved its first Platinum standard LEED certification for its new Laboratory Science Building and the search to fill the Backe endowed chair in renewable energy is underway.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON QUALITY, RESOURCES, EFFICIENCIES, AND EFFECTIVENESS In order for FGCU to sustain its quality in the face of rapid growth, it has learned to make efficient and effective use of its resources. Indeed, FGCU has the lowest state appropriation per FTE student in the State University System. One way FGCU has done this is through achieving economies of scale. For example, economies of scale have been achieved by increasing class sizes, limiting growth of the number of course sections offered, and making fuller use of facilities. The success of FGCU’s efforts can be seen from several statistics. Average class size increased from 24 to 33 students from 2004- 2008, keeping FGCU close to, but slightly below, the average of 34 for the SUS as a whole.
While enrollment has grown by 53% in the last five years, the number of total course sections has grown only 23%. FY 2009 space utilization figures continue to show FGCU’s classroom utilization rates well above the State-defined 100% definition of 60% seat occupancy for 40 hours per week, and above the average for the SUS as a whole.
While cost per student credit hour (SCH) has increased by 9% for the system as a whole during the FY2004- FY2009 period, FGCU’s cost per credit hour has decreased by 4% and was about 9% less than the SUS average of $344/SCH. All these statistics point to enhanced efficiency. FGCU is also working to keep energy costs in check. It utilizes multiple chillers, has increased the ambient temperature in its buildings, and has implemented the largest solar field on a university campus in the Southeast to enhance the conservation and wise use of energy.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES