assignment 1

HEA 560 Module One Short Paper Guidelines and Rubric The nature of public universities has changed over time, although their missions have largely remained the same. Some public universities—many of which include large, public research universities—are now considered to be some of the most elite universities in the world (e.g., University of California, Berkeley, University of California Los Angeles, or the University of Virginia). These prestigious public universities have highly competitive admissions, often requiring very high SAT and ACT scores for acceptance. Respond to Tobin’s (2009) statement in the textbook about the purpose of higher education systems:

America’s public flagship universities were created to meet the social and economic development of the states that chartered them, to serve as the great equalizer and preserver of an open, upwardly mobile society to provide “an uncommon education for the common man.” Any resident, regardless of socioeconomic status, who fulfilled a standard set of academic requirements, would, in theory, be admitted to one of the state’s public higher education institutions. In principle, the flagship university of the late 19th and early 20th century was an institution that served everybody, but in an era when few people completed high school (and many who did pursued non-college proprietary curriculum), the notion of the “people’s university” was more of a symbol than a reality. (p. 11)

From the viewpoint of a representative of a higher education institution, explain whether you believe the notion of the “people’s university” is more of a symbol than a reality today. Analyze whether higher education institutional operations are being effectively designed to increase diverse students’ enrollment, retention, and completion at public colleges and universities. Describe your thoughts on this topic and include two external peer-reviewed citations (e.g., a journal article or policy report) that include information about enrollment statistics, demographic trends, or stratification of higher education systems. Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:

a. Symbol or Reality: In one to two sentences, describe whether you believe the notion of the “people’s university” is more of a symbol than a reality

today. b. Design of Institutional Operations: Analyze whether institutional operations are being effectively designed to increase diverse students’ enrollment,

retention, and completion across colleges and universities. c. Substantiate Claim: Describe your thoughts on this topic and include two external peer-reviewed citations that include information about enrollment

statistics, demographic trends, or stratification of higher education systems.

Guidelines for Submission: Your paper must be submitted as a one- to two-page (plus a cover sheet and reference page) Microsoft Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and at least two sources cited in APA format (following the APA Manual 6th Edition). Ensure that the cover sheet and reference page are also in APA format.

Rubric Critical Elements Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (75%) Not Evident (0%) Value

Symbol or Reality Describes belief regarding the notion of the “people’s university” as a symbol or reality from the viewpoint of a representative of a higher education institution

Describes belief regarding notion of the “people’s university” as a symbol or reality but does not present it from the viewpoint of a representative for a higher education institution

Does not describe belief regarding the notion of a “people’s university”

30

Design of Institutional Operations

Analyzes design of institutional operations regarding effectiveness to increase diverse students’ enrollment, retention, and completion

Analyzes design of institutional operations regarding effectiveness for some but not all of the identified elements as they pertain to diverse student populations

Does not analyze effectiveness of institutional operations on diverse student populations

30

Substantiate Claim Substantiates claim with two peer- reviewed citations outside of the textbook

Substantiates claim with only one citation from a peer-reviewed journal article or policy report outside of the textbook

Does not substantiate claims with peer-reviewed citations outside of the textbook

20

Articulation of Response

Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization

Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas

Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas

20

Earned Total 100%