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Academic Advisement
Plan under which each student is assigned to a faculty member or a trained adviser, who, through regular meetings, helps the student plan and implement immediate and long-term academic and vocational goals
Academic Rank
A state-wide categorization of faculty positions. Categories include, but are not limited to: Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, and Instructor. To look at full range of ranks, see Fact Book.
Academic Year
The time period containing the academic sessions held during consecutive Summer, Fall, and Spring quarters.
Academic Year: Less Than 1
Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree) in less than 1 academic year (4 quarters) or in less than 900 contact hours by a student enrolled full-time.
Academic Years: At Least 2 But Less Than 4
Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree) in at least 2 but less than 4 full-time equivalent academic years, or designed for completion in at least 60 but less than 120 credit hours, or in at least 1,800 but less than 3,600 contact hours.
Academic Years: At Least 1 But Less Than 2
Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree) in at least 1 but less than 2 full-time equivalent academic years, or designed for completion in at least 30 but less than 60 credit hours, or in at least 900 but less than 1,800 contact hours.
Accelerated Program
Completion of a college program of study in fewer than the usual number of years, most often by attending summer sessions and carrying extra courses during the regular academic term
Admitted Student
Applicant who is offered admission to a degree-granting program at the institution
Advanced Graduate
A graduate student who has been formally admitted to a recognized Doctoral or Post-Master's degree program who has accumulated 36 or more quarter credit hours toward his or her degree program or has a Master's degree.
African American or Black
A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa (except those of Hispanic origin).
Allocated Positions
The staff or faculty employment positions allocated for each fiscal year in the University Operating Budget. An allocated position exists whether it is filled with an employee or not.
American Indian or Alaska Native -
A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America), and who maintains a tribal affiliation or community attachment.
Applicant (First-Time, First Year)
An individual who has fulfilled the institution's requirements to be considered for admission (including payment or waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has been notified of one of the following actions: admission, nonadmission, placement on waiting list, or application withdrawn (by applicant or institution)
Application Fee
That amount of money that an institution charges for processing a student's application for acceptance. This amount is not creditable toward tuition and required fees, nor is it refundable if the student is not admitted to the institution.
Asian or Pacific Islander
A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian Subcontinent, or Pacific Islands. This includes people from China, Japan, Korea, the Philippine Islands, American Samoa, India, and Vietnam.
Assessment
An ongoing process aimed at understanding and improving student learning. It involves making expectations explicit and public; setting appropriate criteria and high standards for learning quality; systematically gathering, analyzing, and interpreting evidence to determine how well performance matches those expectations and standards; and using the resulting information to document, explain, and improved performance. When it is embedded effectively within larger institutional systems, assessment can help focus collective attention, examine assumptions, and create a shared academic culture dedicated to assuring and improving the quality of higher education.
Associate Degree
An award that normally requires at least two but less than four years of full-time equivalent college work
Attrition
Loss of students through means other than graduation.
Auxiliaries
Budget entities which are primarily self supported ventures in support of the University community (students, faculty and university departments).
Awarded Aid
The dollar amounts offered to financial aid applicants
B
Bachelor's Degree
An award (baccalaureate or equivalent degree, as determined by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education) that normally requires at least four years but not more than five years of full-time equivalent college-level work. This includes ALL bachelor's degrees conferred in a five-year cooperative (work-study plan) program. (A cooperative plan provides for alternate class attendance and employment in business, industry, or government; thus, it allows students to combine actual work experience with their college studies.) Also, it includes bachelor's degrees in which the normal four years of work are completed in three years
Beginning Graduate
A graduate student who has been formally admitted to a recognized Doctoral or Post-Master's degree program who has accumulated 36 or more quarter credit hours toward his or her degree program or has a Master's degree
Black, Non-Hispanic
A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa (except those of Hispanic origin)
Books And Supplies (Costs)
Average cost of books and supplies. Do not include unusual costs for special groups of students (e.g., engineering or art majors), unless they constitute the majority of students at the institution.
C
Calendar System
The method by which an institution structures most of its courses for the academic year
Carnegie Classification
A non-hierarchical scheme for classifying institutions of higher education that recognizes six distinct types - Research Universities, Doctoral Universities, Master's (Comprehensive) Colleges and Universities, Baccalaureate Colleges, Associate of Arts Colleges, and Specialized Institutions. The Carnegie Classification was originally developed in 1970 and last revised in 1994. The University of Washington Seattle is classified as a Research I institution and University of Washington Tacoma is classified as a Masters I institution.
Research I - institutions that offer a full range of baccalaureate programs, are committed to graduate education through the doctorate, and place a high priority on research. They award at least 50 doctoral degrees each year and receive annually $40 million or more in federal support.
Research II - institutions that offer a full range of baccalaureate programs, are committed to graduate education through the doctorate, and place a high priority on research. They award at least 50 doctoral degrees each year and receive annually between $15.5 and $40 million or more in federal support.
Doctoral I - institutions that offer a full range of baccalaureate programs and are committed to graduate education through the doctorate. They award at least 40 doctoral degrees each year in 5 or more disciplines.
Doctoral II - institutions that offer a full range of baccalaureate programs and are committed to graduate education through the doctorate. They award at least 10 doctoral degrees each year in 3 or more disciplines--or 20 or more doctoral degree in 1 or more disciplines.
Master's (comprehensive) colleges and universities I - These institutions offer a full range of baccalaureate programs and are committed to graduate education through the master's degree. They award 40 or more master's degrees annually in three or more disciplines.
Master's (comprehensive) colleges and universities II - These institutions offer a full range of baccalaureate programs and are committed to graduate education through the master's degree. They award 20 or more master's degrees annually in one or more disciplines.
Carnegie Unit
One year of study or the equivalent in a secondary school subject.
Catalog Year
Begins Summer quarter and includes Fall, Winter and Spring quarters.
Census Date (see Tenth Day)
The official reporting date for institutional data. Provides a statistical portrait of the institution at a fixed point in time. Data collected on the census date are reported to internal and external authorities, e.g. the board of trustees, state coordinating boards, private college associations, and the Federal government. There are a number of census dates during the year for the collection of different types of information, e.g. enrollment counts, financial statements, or graduation reports
Certificate
See postsecondary award, certificate, or diploma
Class Rank
The relative numerical position of a student in his or her graduating class, calculated by the high school on the basis of grade-point average, whether weighted or unweighted
Cohort
A group of individuals having a statistical factor (as age or class membership) in common in a demographic study (example: a cohort of premedical students). Each freshman class constitutes a cohort
College-Preparatory Program
Courses in academic subjects (English, history and social studies, foreign languages, mathematics, science, and the arts) that stress preparation for college or university study
Common Application
The standard application form distributed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals for a large number of private colleges who are members of the Common Application Group
Common Data Set (CDS)
A collaborative effort among data providers in the higher education community and publishers as represented by the College Board, Thomson Peterson's, and U.S. News & World Report; a set of standards and definitions of data items rather than a survey instrument or set of data represented in a database. The combined goal of this collaboration is to improve the quality and accuracy of information provided to all involved in a student's transition into higher education, as well as to reduce the reporting burden on data providers.
Commuter
A student who lives off campus in housing that is not owned by, operated by, or affiliated with the college. This category includes students who commute from home and students who have moved to the area to attend college.
Contact Hour
A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as clock hour.
Continuous Basis (For Program Enrollment)
A calendar system classification that is used by institutions that enroll students at any time during the academic year. For example, a cosmetology school or a word processing school might allow students to enroll and begin studies at various times, with no requirement that classes begin on a certain date.
Contract And Grants
Budget entities which deal primarily with sponsored research activities and federally funded educational grants
Counseling Service
Activities designed to assist students in making plans and decisions related to their education, career, or personal development
Course
This is the fundamental unit by which knowledge is formally organized for presentation to students. Instructional activity (measured in student credit hours) is attributed to the department offering the course, as indicated by the course subject code
Course Number
A number used in conjunction with a prefix name and quarter/year, it identifies a specific course. The first digit usually serves to identify subject matter level. Course numbers are usually grouped into the following categories:
- Lower Division: 100-299
- Upper Division: 300-499
- Graduate/Professional: 500-599 and 600-800
Credit
Recognition of attendance or performance in an instructional activity (course or program) that can be applied by a recipient toward the requirements for a degree, diploma, certificate, or other formal award.
Credit Course
A course that, if successfully completed, can be applied toward the number of courses required for achieving a degree, diploma, certificate, or other formal award.
Credit Hour
A unit of measure representing an hour (50 minutes) of instruction over a 15-week period in a semester or trimester system or a 10-week period in a quarter system. It is applied toward the total number of hours needed for completing the requirements of a degree, diploma, certificate, or other formal award.
Cross-Registration
A system whereby students enrolled at one institution may take courses at another institution without having to apply to the second institution
D
Deferred Admission
The practice of permitting admitted students to postpone enrollment, usually for a period of one academic term or one year
Degree
An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as official recognition for the successful completion of a program of studies
Degree-Seeking Students
Students enrolled in courses for credit who are recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or formal award. At the undergraduate level, this is intended to include students enrolled in vocational or occupational programs.
Demographics
The statistical characteristics of human populations (such as age or income)
Diploma
See postsecondary award, certificate, or diploma
Distance Learning
An option for earning course credit at off-campus locations via cable television, internet, satellite classes, videotapes, correspondence courses, or other means
Diversity
Creating diversity is an active effort to foster an atmosphere in which all University constituents can communicate, interact, and learn in an inclusive environment that does not advantage or disadvantage any group. Diversity encourages and ensures all members of the University community treat each other with dignity and respect regardless of cultural similarities and differences, learning styles, age, gender, ethnicity, race, religion, and sexual orientation.
Doctoral Degree
The highest award a student can earn for graduate study. The doctoral degree classification includes such degrees as doctor of education, doctor of juridical science, doctor of public health, and the doctor of philosophy degree in any field such as agronomy, food technology, education, engineering, public administration, ophthalmology, or radiology. For the doctor of public health degree, the prior degree is generally earned in the closely related field of medicine or in sanitary engineering.
Double Major
Program in which students may complete two undergraduate programs of study simultaneously
Dual Enrollment
A program through which community college students may enroll in UW Tacoma courses while still enrolled in community college. Students are required to apply for admission to the University in order to participate.
E
E&G (Educational And General)
Budget entities which provide instructional programs leading to formal degrees; research for solving problems; and for public service programs.
Early Admission
A policy under which students who have not completed high school are admitted and enroll full time in college, usually after completion of their junior year
Early Decision Plan
A plan that permits students to apply and be notified of an admission decision (and financial aid offer if applicable) well in advance of the regular notification date. Applicants agree to accept an offer of admission and, if admitted, to withdraw their applications from other colleges. There are three possible decisions for early decision applicants: admitted, denied, or not admitted but forwarded for consideration with the regular applicant pool, without prejudice.
English As A Second Language (ESL)
A course of study designed specifically for students whose native language is not English.
Enrollment
Registration for coursework and payment of fees constitutes official enrollment.
Enrollment Increase
Is the number of Full Time Equivalent students ftes over the number currently funded in the Legislative Budget Request.
Exchange Student Program-Domestic
Any arrangement between a student and a college that permits study for a quarter or more at another college in the United States without extending the amount of time required for a degree. See also Study abroad.
External Degree Program
A program of study in which students earn credits toward a degree through independent study, college courses, proficiency examinations, and personal experience. External degree programs require minimal or no classroom attendance.
Extracurricular Activities (As Admission Factor)
Special consideration in the admissions process given for participation in both school and nonschool-related activities of interest to the college, such as clubs, hobbies, student government, athletics, performing arts, etc.
F
Faculty
A person appointed to a position defined by the Board of Governors Personnel Classification system as in the faculty pay plan. Categories include Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Professor, and Instructor, as well as non-instructional staff such as Counselor/Advisors, and Librarians.
Faculty Rank
A faculty member's relative standing or position, or grade of official standing among the hierarchy of his or her peers, intended to reflect his or her degree or position of dignity, eminence, or excellence (instructor, assistant professor, associate professor, full professor)
Fifth-year Matriculated Student
Fifth-year students can be both undergraduates and postgraduates. Undergraduate students that change their majors, enroll part-time, take time off and participate in co-op programs are more likely to require an extra year to graduate. Students that have recieved a bachelors degree but are pursuing another undergraduate degree are also considered fifth-year students.
Fifth-year Non-matriculated Student
Post baccalaureate students not pursuing a degree are considered non-maturiculating.
Financial Aid Applicant
Any applicant who submits any one of the institutionally required financial aid applications/forms, such as the FAFSA
Financial Need
As determined by your institution using the federal methodology and/or your institution's own standards
First Professional Certificate (Postdegree)
An award that requires completion of an organized program of study designed for persons who have completed the first professional degree. Examples could be refresher courses or additional units of study in a specialty or subspecialty.
First-Professional Student
Those students enrolled in programs leading toward a first-professional degree in the fields of dentistry (D.D.S.,D.M.D.), law (L.L.B.,J.D.), medicine (M.D.), pharmacy (B.Pharm, Pharm.D.) And veterinary medicine (D.V.M.).
First-Time, First-Year (Freshman) Student
A student attending any institution for the first time at the undergraduate level. Includes students enrolled in the fall term who attended college for the first time in the prior summer term. Also includes students who entered with advanced standing (college credits earned before graduation from high school).
First-Year Student
A student who has completed less than the equivalent of 1 full year of undergraduate work;-that is, less than 45 quarter hours (in a 120-hour degree program) or less than 900 contact hours.
Fiscal Year
A twelve-month period running from July 1st through the following June 30th.
Freshman
A first-year undergraduate student having earned less than 45 credits.
Freshman/New Student Orientation
Orientation addressing the academic, social, emotional, and intellectual issues involved in beginning college. May be a few hours or a few days in length; at some colleges, there is a fee.
Freshman TCORE
First year student enrolled in the UW Tacoma's TCORE curriculum.
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Student
A measure of student enrollment calculated on the total number of student credit hours divided by the appropriate undergraduate or graduate divisor. In Fall, winter and Spring term every 15 credit hours at the undergraduate level equals 1.0 FTE, and every 10 credits hours in graduate courses equals 1.0 FTE student.
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Faculty
A budgetary term that represents one full-time faculty position. (note that two people each serving in half-time faculty positions would together equal one FTE faculty.)
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) Employee
A numerical designator for an appointment based on 100% for full-time. An FTE for a full-time employee is 1.00. (Two people each working half-time positions would together equal one FTE.)
Full-Time Student (Graduate)
A student enrolled for 10 or more quarter credits or students involved in thesis or dissertation preparation who are considered full-time by the institution.
Full-Time Student (Undergraduate)
A baccalaureate seeking student enrolled for 12 or more quarter credit hours in a term.
G
Geographical Residence (As Admission Factor)
Special consideration in the admission process given to students from a particular region, state, or country of residence
Goal
A statement about general aims or purposes that are broad, long-range intended outcomes. (see also "objective")
Grade Point Average (Academic High School GPA)
The sum of grade points a student has earned in secondary school divided by the number of courses taken. The most common system of assigning numbers to grades is the 4.00 scale where four points are awarded for an A, three points for a B, two points for a C, one point for a D, and no points for an E or F. The University of Washington calculates an unweighted GPA based on a 4.00 scale for every applicant. No student with a cumulative GPA below 2.00 will be considered for admission.
Grade Point Average (College GPA)
The sum of grade points a student has earned in college divided by the number of courses taken. The University uses a 4.00 scale. To be eligible for the baccalaureate degree, a student must earn a cumulative GPA of 2.00 for all work done in residence at the University. However, particular college, school or department requirements may vary from this general university requirement.
Graduate Fee Waivers
Appropriations by the Legislature for graduate assistant fee waivers are used to fund graduate and fellowship fee waivers granted by the universities. The graduate assistant fee waivers are provided to students based on graduate credit hours taken and the number of hours worked.
Graduate Student
A student who holds a bachelor's or first-professional degree, or equivalent, is taking courses at the postbaccalaureate level, and is admitted to a graduate or first-professional program.
Grants And Aids
Are contributions to units of governments or nonprofit organizations to be used for one or more specified purposes, activities, or facilities. Funds appropriated under this category may be advanced.
Gross Square Footage (GSF)
The sum of all areas on all floors of a building included within the outside face of its exterior walls.
H
Headcount
The number of individual persons who are members of a university population, i.e., faculty, staff or students. Includes both part-time and full-time individuals.
Headcount (Student)
An unduplicated count of enrolled students. Unless otherwise identified, student headcount data represents actively enrolled persons in credit courses as of census day of each quarter.
Health Services
Free or low cost on-campus primary and preventive health care available to students.
High School Diploma Or Recognized Equivalent
A document certifying the successful completion of a prescribed secondary school program of studies, or the attainment of satisfactory scores on the Tests of General Educational Development (GED), or another state-specified examination
Hispanic
A person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central, or South American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.
Honors Program
Any special program for very able students offering the opportunity for educational enrichment, independent study, acceleration, or some combination of these
HS GPA
High school grade-point average. See grade-point average (academic high school GPA)
I
Indebtedness
Aggregate dollar amount borrowed through any loan programs (federal, state, subsidized, unsubsidized, private, etc.; excluding parent loans) while the student was enrolled at an institution. Student loans co-signed by a parent are assumed to be the responsibility of the student and should be included.
Independent Study
Academic work chosen or designed by the student with the approval of the department concerned, under an instructor's supervision, and usually undertaken outside of the regular classroom structure
In-State Student
A student who is a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school.
In-State Tuition
The tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements
Institutional And External Funds
Endowment, alumni, or external monies for which the institution determines the recipient or the dollar amount awarded
International Student
See nonresident alien.
Internship
Any short-term, supervised work experience usually related to a student's major field, for which the student earns academic credit. The work can be full- or part-time, on- or off-campus, paid or unpaid.
Intra-University Migration
As it applies to data displayed on the IRP Website, data and information displaying patterns of movement across campuses within the University.
IPEDS
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System - Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, the core postsecondary education data collection system for the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
J
K
L
Land-Grant College
A land-grant college or university is an institution that has been designated by its state legislature or Congress to receive the benefits of the Morrill Acts of 1862 and 1890. The original mission of these institutions, as set forth in the first Morrill Act, was to teach agriculture, military tactics, and the mechanic arts as well as classical studies so that members of the working classes could obtain a liberal, practical education.
Learning Center
Center offering assistance through tutors, workshops, computer programs, or audiovisual equipment in reading, writing, math, and skills such as taking notes, managing time, taking tests
Level Of Student
The student's level of progress toward a degree. Freshmen and Sophomore students are categorized as Lower Level; Junior and Senior students are categorized as Upper Level; Graduate students are categorized as Graduate Level.
Longitudinal Retention
Term used for trend data showing percentages of students, by full-time entering freshman cohort, retained in their college or university after their first year through, possibly, their sixth year of study
Lower Division Student
A student who has earned less than 90 quarter credit hours.
Lower Level
A course level classification term: Student's Course Number is between 1000 and 2999.
M
Major
A subject of academic study chosen as a field of specialization selected from an approved set of courses and requirements in an integrated program leading to a specific existing degree.
- Pre-major: An undergraduate student who has not formally declared or been admitted to a major.
- Extended Pre-major: An undergraduate student who has earned more that 105 credits without formally declaring or being admitted to a major.
- Double Major: An undergraduate student who has satisfied university requirements for two majors but receives only one degree.
- Inside Major: Term used to designate the number of credit hours taken by students within their academic department. for example, a History major taking a course(s) offered by the History department.
- Outside Major: Term used to designate the number of credit hours taken by students outside their academic department e.g., a Civil engineering major taking a course(s) offered by the Mathmatics department.
Major Status
Term used in some contexts (grade distributions, for example) that describes for comparative purposes the distinction between majors and non-majors in a particular department
Manyear
See personyear
Master's Degree
An award that requires the successful completion of a program of study of at least the full-time equivalent of one but not more than two academic years of work beyond the bachelor's degree
Mid 50% Range
The lowest score in the second quartile to the highest score in the third quartile. (25th - 75th percentile) It is an indicator of the most common values.
Minority Affiliation
(As admission factor) -special consideration in the admission process for members of designated racial/ethnic minority groups
Minority Student Center
Center with programs, activities, and/or services intended to enhance the college experience of students of color
N
College-funded or college-administered award from institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must have financial need to qualify. This includes both institutional and noninstitutional student aid (grants, jobs, and loans). Need-Based Scholarship Or Grant Aid Scholarships and grants from institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must have financial need to qualify Need-Based Self-Help Aid Loans and jobs from institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must demonstrate financial need to qualify Net Assignable Square Feet (NASF) The sum of all areas on all floors of a building that can serve an occupant or specific use. Non-Degree Seeking A student enrolled in courses for credit who is not recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or formal award. Non-Need-Based Scholarship Or Grant Aid Scholarships and grants, gifts, or merit-based aid from institutional, state, federal, or other sources (including unrestricted funds or gifts and endowment income) awarded solely on the basis of academic achievement, merit, or any other non-need-based reason. When reporting questions h1 and h2, non-need-based aid that is used to meet need should be counted as need-based aid. Non-Need-Based Self-Help Aid Loans and jobs from institutional, state, or other sources for which a student need not demonstrate financial need to qualify Non-Resident Alien A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who is in this country on a visa or temporary basis and does not have the right to remain indefinitely. Non-Tenure Earning Those non-tenured faculty whose position does not provide for the possibility of attaining tenure. Objective A specific measurable step in the plan to accomplish a goal. (see also "goal") Open Admission Admission policy under which virtually all secondary school graduates or students with GED equivalency diplomas are admitted without regard to academic record, test scores, or other qualifications Other Expenses (Costs) Include average costs for clothing, laundry, entertainment, medical (if not a required fee), and furnishings Outcomes (Program) The desired results of instruction expressed as intended cognitive affective gains from the instructional experience. Outcomes may be expressed at the course, program or division level. Outcomes (Student Learning) A specific type of performance that students are expected to demonstrate at the end of instruction. Out-of-State Fee Waivers Appropriations by the Legislature are used to fund out-of-state fee waivers granted by the universities. The funds support undergraduate students, graduate assistants, and fellowships. The out-of-state fee waivers are provided to students based on credit hours taken and the number of hours worked. Out-of-State Student A student who is not a legal resident of the state in which he/she attends school. Out-of-State Tuition The tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the institution's or state's residency requirements Part-Time Graduate Student A student enrolled for nine or fewer quarter credits. Part-Time Undergraduate Student A student enrolled for fewer than 12 credits per quarter or quarter. Personyear A budgeting term calculated and based on a position budgeted for twelve months of activity and full-time portion of effort equalling 1.0 FTE. (same as manyear) Post-Baccalaureate Certificate An award that requires completion of an organized program of study requiring 18 credit hours beyond the bachelor's; designed for persons who have completed a baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of master Post-Baccalaureate Student A student with a bachelor's degree who is enrolled in graduate or first-professional courses. Post-Master's Certificate An award that requires completion of an organized program of study of 24 credit hours beyond the master's degree but does not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level Postsecondary Award, Certificate, Or Diploma Includes three IPEDS definitions for postsecondary awards, certificates, and diplomas of varying durations and credit/contact hour requirements. Pre-Census Enrollment The unofficial enrollment count that is reported prior to the official student census file normally assembled from on-campus enrollments pulled two weeks after the start of classes (one week for each summer session) and off-campus enrollments pulled four weeks after the start of classes (two weeks for each summer session) Private For-Profit Institution A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives compensation, other than wages, rent, or other expenses for the assumption of risk Private Institution An educational institution controlled by a private individual(s) or by a nongovernmental agency, usually supported primarily by other than public funds, and operated by other than publicly elected or appointed officials Private Nonprofit Institution A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives no compensation, other than wages, rent, or other expenses for the assumption of risk. These include both independent nonprofit schools and those affiliated with a religious organization. Proprietary Institution See Private for-profit institution Public Institution An educational institution whose programs and activities are operated by publicly elected or appointed school officials, and which is supported primarily by public funds Quarter Calendar System A calendar system in which the academic year consists of three sessions called quarters of about 12 weeks each. The range may be from 10 to 15 weeks. There may be an additional quarter in the summer. The University of Washington is on the quarter calendar system. R&D Research and Development Race/Ethnicity Category used to describe groups to which individuals belong, identify with, or belong in the eyes of the community. The categories do not denote scientific definitions of anthropological origins. Ethnicity differs from race in that individuals, despite racial difference, may identify as a member of a social group sharing a history, cultural roots, political system, religion, language, geographical origin, traditions, myths, behaviours, and a shared sense of identity. IRP uses the following categories:
Race/Ethnicity Unknown Category used to classify students or employees whose race/ethnicity is not known and whom institutions are unable to place in one of the specified racial/ethnic categories Ranked Faculty Faculty who hold the rank of Assistant Professor or above including those holding the equivalent ranks of curator, scholar, scientist and engineer. Religious Affiliation/Commitment (As Admission Factor) Special consideration given in the admission process for affiliation with a certain church or faith/religion, commitment to a religious vocation, or observance of certain religious tenets/lifestyle Required Fees Fixed sum charged to students for items not covered by tuition and required of such a large proportion of all students that the student who does NOT pay is the exception. Do not include application fees or optional fees such as lab fees or parking fees. Research Extensive University One level of a classification system initially developed by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education in the early 1970s to characterize reasonably comparable accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities, based to date in large measure on their research activity. The classification system is undergoing major revisions introduced in late 2005 by which institutions will be characterized on several dimensions, notably what is taught, to whom, in what setting. Resident Alien Or Other Eligible Non-Citizen A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who has been admitted as a legal immigrant for the purpose of obtaining permanent resident alien status (and who holds either an alien registration card [Form I-551 or I-151], a Temporary Resident Card [Form I-688], or an Arrival-Departure Record [Form I-94] with a notation that conveys legal immigrant status, such as Section 207 Refugee, Section 208 Asylee, Conditional Entrant Parolee or Cuban-Haitian). Retention Term used to expresses the ability of an institution to predict, measure, and maintain the persistence of student achievement over time to degree completion. Methods used to develop and report retention data should make a distinction between students who meet their educational goals before graduating but do not receive a degree and students who enrolled intending to graduate but do not do so. Thus, both student and institutional characteristics should be taken into account when evaluating retention. Retention and Graduation Rates Calculated using cohort survival analysis. The cohort is typically defined as the first-time full-time freshmen entering in the fall quarter. The term "first-time" means that the student was not previously enrolled in a postsecondary institution, and the term "full-time" means that the student enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits in the entering quarter. The assumption is that first-time full-time freshmen are committed to the pursuit of a degree in the traditional time-frame. The defined cohort is then analyzed in each subsequent quarter to determine what percent persist or graduate. Running Start The Running Start Program allows 11th- and 12th-grade students to take college courses at their local high school and receive college credit. Students who enroll to earn a degree at another college or university after leaving high school are not considered freshman applicants. Students are required to apply for admission to the college in order to participate. SCH (Student Credit Hour) The Student Hour (also called a Credit Hour) is strictly a time-based references for measuring educational attainment used by American universities and colleges. While the Carnegie Unit assesses secondary school attainment, the Student Hour assesses collegiate attainment. As it is used today, a Student Credit Hour is the equivalent of one hour (50 minutes) of lecture time for a single student per week over the course of a semester, usually 14 to 16 weeks.(see also weighted SCH) Scholarships/Grants From external sources -monies received from outside (private) sources that the student brings with them (e.g., kiwanis, national merit scholarships). The institution may process paperwork to receive the dollars, but it has no role in determining the recipient or the dollar amount awarded. Secondary School Record (As Admission Factor) information maintained by the secondary school that may include such things as the student's high school transcript, class rank, GPA, and teacher and counselor recommendations Semester Calendar System A calendar system that consists of two semesters during the academic year with about 16 weeks for each semester of instruction. There may be an additional summer session. Special Programs Text required." State Of Residence A person's permanent address as determined by such evidence as a driver's license or voter registration. For entering freshmen, residence may be the legal resident of a parent or guardian. Student Any person who is officially enrolled in a course offered under the responsibility and authority of the University. Student Credit Hour See SCH. Student Financial Aid Appropriations by the Legislature for student financial aid are used to support need and merit based student grants, scholarships, and loans to provide access and attract high achieving and talented students. Student-Designed Major A program of study based on individual interests, designed with the assistance of an adviser Study Abroad Any arrangement by which a student completes part of the college program studying in another country. Can be at a campus abroad or through a cooperative agreement with some other u.s. college or an institution of another country. Summer Session A summer session is shorter than a regular quarter and not considered part of the academic year. It is not the third term of an institution operating on a trimester system or the fourth term of an institution operating on a quarter calendar. Talent/Ability (As Admission Factor) Special consideration given to students with demonstrated talent/abilities in areas of interest to the institution (e.g., sports, the arts, languages, etc.) Teacher Certification Program Program designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers in elementary, middle/junior high, and secondary schools. Tenth Day --- Requires definition. Tenure That condition attained by a faculty member through highly competent scholarly activities which assures the faculty member security of employment and immunity from reprisals or threats due to an intellectual position or belief which may be unpopular and which guarantees annual reappointment for the faculty member until voluntary resignation, retirement, or removal for adequate cause. Tenure-Earning Those non-tenured faculty who are in a position which allows them the possibility of attaining tenure. Total Student Credit Hours (SCH) Total student credit hours, regardless of fundability status as defined by the legislature. Transfer Applicant An individual who has fulfilled the institution's requirements to be considered for admission (including payment or waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has previously attended another college or university and earned college-level credit. Transfer Student A student entering the institution for the first time but known to have previously attended a postsecondary institution at the same level (e.g., undergraduate). The student may transfer with or without credit from a two or four year institution. Transportation (Costs). Assume two round trips to student's hometown per year for students in institutional housing or daily travel to and from the institution for commuter students. Trimester Calendar System An academic year consisting of 3 terms of about 15 weeks each. Tuition Amount of money charged to students for instructional services. Tuition may be charged per term, per course, or per credit. Tutoring May range from one-on-one tutoring in specific subjects to tutoring in an area such as math, reading, or writing. Most tutors are college students; at some colleges, they are specially trained and certified. Unclassified Student Is a student not formally admitted and thus is not degree seeking. Interchangeable with the term "special student." Undergraduate A student enrolled in a four- or five-year bachelor's degree program, an associate degree program, or a vocational or technical program below the baccalaureate. Unit A standard of measurement representing hours of academic instruction (e.g., quarter credit, contact hour) University Organization An organizational aggregation of colleges, schools and branches established for purposes of governance, resource management, and planning. Overall supervisory responsibility resides with the President although daily operations are directed by the Provost. Campus: an organizational aggregation of departments into a major academic and administrative organizational unit located physically away from the main university e.g., Bothell and Tacoma campus. Overall supervisory responsibility resides with the Dean or Chancellor. College/School: An aggregation of one or more departments into a major academic organizational unit supervised by a Dean e.g., College of Arts & Sciences. It's primary purposes are to provide governance, resource management, and planning support for carrying our instruction, research and public service functions. Division: A defined aggregation of departments below the college level. For example, Humanities, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and others within Interdisiplinary Arts and Sciences. Department: Typically, the smallest formal organizational unit of a college or school. There are both administrative units supporting day-to-day operations and academic units that have faculty lines supervised by a chairperson. Upper Division Student A student who has earned 90 or more quarter credit hours or has a Associate of Arts degree or is working toward an additional Baccalaureate degree. Upper Level A course level classification term: Student's Course Number is between 300 and 499. Visually Impaired Any person whose sight loss is not correctable and is sufficiently severe as to adversely affect educational performance. Wait List List of students who meet the admission requirements but will only be offered a place in the class if space becomes available Weighted SCH (WSCH) A measure of instructional output that differentially weights student credit hours (SCH) in favor of higher levels of students taught. Weights are 1.00 for lower division undergraduates (freshmen, sophomores, non-degree undergraduates, occupational technical students), 1.67 for upper division undergraduates (juniors, seniors, 5th year students), 2.50 for first graduate students (graduate students with 30 or fewer SCH or first professional students in the College of Veterinary Medicine), 3.13 for advanced graduate students (doctoral students with more than 30 SCH). White, Non-Hispanic A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East (except those of Hispanic origin). White, Non-Hispanic A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle East (except those of Hispanic origin) Women's Center Center with programs, academic activities, and/or services intended to promote an understanding of the evolving roles of women Work Experience (As Admission Factor) Special consideration given to students who have been employed prior to application, whether for relevance to major, demonstration of employment-related skills, or as explanation of student's academic and extracurricular record Work Study And Employment Federal and state work study aid, and any employment packaged by the University in financial aid awards Work-Study Plan Program A program that provides for alternate class attendance and employment in business, industry, or government This list was compiled from University of Washington specific and other various resources including but not limited to:
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