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19.Record briefly the central elements in the history of the institution:1964: University of Massachusetts Boston authorized by act of the General Court.1965: Campus opened in buildings in downtown Boston.1969: First UMass Boston commencement.1972: Trustees authorized first graduate program (MS in chemistry).1974: First classes at newly constructed harbor campus at Columbia Point.1980: Trustees authorized granting of the Bachelor of Science degree.1981: Trustees authorized first doctoral program (Ph.D. in environmental sciences).1982: Boston State College merged with UMass Boston.1992: Downtown campus closed.2004: Campus Center opened.2006: University received Carnegie Community Engagement classification2010: University purchased the site of the former Bayside Exposition Center.2011: University received Carnegie “Research University (High Research Activity)” classification.2015: Integrated Sciences Complex opened.x

Office of Diversityand InclusionMcCormack Grad.School of Policyand Global StudiesCollege of Publicand CommunityServiceCollege ofAdvancing andProfessionalStudiesSchool for GlobalInclusion and SocialDevelopmentHonors CollegeOffice of GlobalProgramsSchool for theEnvironmentInstructionalTechnologyServicesOne Stop StudentServices CenterCollege of Nursingand HealthSciencesUniversity LibrariesRegistrar's OfficeCollege ofManagementTransfer esMerit ScholarshipFinancial AidVeteran's ice Chancellor forEnrollmentManagementCollege of Scienceand MathematicsCollege of LiberalArtsCollege ofEducation andHumanDevelopmentInstitutionalResearch andPolicy StudiesCenters andInstitutesResearch, StrategicInitiatives andGraduate StudiesAcademic SupportServices andUndergraduateStudiesProvost and ViceChancellor forAcademic AffairsSpecial EventsChief of StaffAthletic FacilitiesRecreationSpecial Programsand ProjectsAthleticsxiVice Chancellor forAthletics andRecreation; SpecialPrograms and ProjectsCustomer ServiceCampus MasterPlanningCampus ServicesFacilitiesHuman ResourcesContracts andComplianceController(Bursar)Budget andFinancial PlanningVice Chancellor forAdministration cementServicesAnnual FundMajor GiftsCorporate andFoundation RelationsAlumni AffairsVice Chancellor forUniversityAdvancementInterfaith CampusMinistryUrban and OffCampus SupportServicesStudent HousingPublic SafetyEarly LearningCenterStudent Activitiesand LeadershipHealth ServicesStudent Leadershipand CommunityEngagementDean of StudentsVice Chancellor forStudent AffairsAssistant ChancellorRadio StationWUMBCommunityPartnershipsUniversity ce Chancellor forGovernment Relations,Public Affairs andEconomic Development

Table of Items Included for Emphasis in the Self-Studyas Requested by CIHE in the June 8, 2010Acceptance of the University’s Fifth-Year Interim ReportItemDeveloping course and program assessmentthat provides evidence for revisions to thecurriculumAddressing the institution’s goals for reducingdependence on part-time faculty and forincreasing the number of tenure-track facultyContinuing to improve enrollment, retention,and graduation ratesAddressing challenges with funding,particularly in light of the institution’sambitious goalsSelf-Study LocationStandard 4, pp 25-35Exhibits accompanying Standard 4Standard 5, pp 38-43Standard 6, pp 47-57Standard 2, pp 10-12Standard 9, pp 78-85xii

IntroductionTwo activities have proceeded concurrently with our institutional reaccreditation process: acelebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of UMass Boston and an assessment ofprogress made during the 2010-2015 phase of the university’s strategic plan. Work on this selfstudy has been intertwined with these activities, and all three have contributed to moving theuniversity forward.In 2013, a Steering Committee of eleven faculty members and administrators was formed toguide the reaccreditation process. Members of the Steering Committee chaired or co-chairedeleven task forces, each charged with developing a working draft for one of the accreditationstandards. Four members of the Steering Committee attended the self-study workshop held bythe NEASC Commission on Higher Education in October 2013. In December 2013, CommissionSenior Vice President Pat O’Brien came to UMass Boston and gave overviews of theaccreditation process to the Steering Committee and to the Chancellor’s Executive LeadershipTeam. As these presentations encouraged them to do, the chairs of the task forces emphasized tothe task force volunteers the importance in the self-study of candor and evidence. The eleventask forces eventually totaled 125 members, reflecting a variety of viewpoints and a mix ofadministrators, faculty, staff, and students.During 2013-2014, the Steering Committee met regularly to allow task force chairs to askquestions of one another, share information, and come to consensus about overall strengths andareas of concern that the self-study should address. The task forces consulted and interviewedmany people on campus who provided data, shared experiences, or otherwise contributed to thecollective endeavor. The Steering Committee worked to present all issues raised by the campuscommunity in the appraisal sections of the self-study while developing projections, incollaboration with senior administrators, to deal with central concerns. We have already takenaction on many of the concerns; the projections set forth steps for continuing work aligned withour strategic plan and other university initiatives.During fall 2014, drafts of self-study sections were reviewed by the Steering Committee andwent through multiple revisions. A working draft representing all standards was then put on theuniversity’s website for comments from the community. The Steering Committee madepresentations to the Faculty Council, student government organizations, and academicdepartments, and also at a special open meeting in November 2014, to solicit comments aboutthe working draft. Chancellor Motley, Provost Langley, and the rest of the Executive LeadershipTeam reviewed the draft and made comments and suggestions. In response, a final draft with anoverview was completed in January 2014. The overview is an essential part of the narrative andsummarizes the main theme of the self-study: UMass Boston’s transformation to an increasinglysophisticated research university that remains true to its origins as a teaching institution with acommitment to public service.Documents related to the reaccreditation process and the self-study are on our web site with anopportunity for comments: http://www.umb.edu/the university/accreditation. We hope that thepublic will learn as much about the university from this self-study as we have learned aboutourselves during its creation.xiii

Acknowledgments:Chancellor J. Keith Motley and Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs WinstonLangley provided leadership and support throughout the self-study process. Jennifer Brown andstaff in the Office of Institutional Research and Policy Studies provided much of the necessarydata as well as contributing as task force members. Maura Mast contributed beyond her role aschair of one of the task forces to assist in the data-gathering and editing of drafts of thestandards. James Mortenson, director of communications for the Office of Research andGraduate Studies, handled many tasks—working on the website, turning supporting documentsand reports into web pages that could be linked in the self-study, and managing the finalproduction of the document. Retired university editor Jeffrey Mitchell provided invaluableassistance editing this self-study. Much of the coherence and clarity in this document is due tohis time, effort, and keen eye and mind.This self-study is the product of the thoughtful work of the members of the task forces. Thanks tothem all.Peter Langer, Associate ProvostChair, Self-Study Steering Committeexiv

Reaccreditation Steering Committee and Task ForcesSteering CommitteePeter Langer (Chair)Jane AdamsJennifer BrownNeal BrussLisa BuenaventuraJavier CrespoDeWayne LehmanMaura MastGeorgianna MelendezDavid TerklaLaura E Vanderberg*Susan WolfeSusan WolfsonAssociate ProvostProfessor and Chair, PsychologyDirector of Institutional Research and Policy StudiesAssociate Professor, EnglishInterim Vice Chancellor for Student AffairsAssociate University LibrarianDirector of CommunicationsAssociate Vice Provost for Undergraduate StudiesInterim Chief Diversity OfficerDean, College of Liberal ArtsAssistant Dean, Assessment and Planning, College of Educationand Human DevelopmentAssistant Vice Chancellor for Budget and Financial PlanningDirector of Campus Master PlanningTask ForcesStandard One: Mission and PurposesPeter Langer (Co-Chair)Associate ProvostStephen Silliman (Co-Chair) Professor, Anthropology; Graduate Program Director, HistoricalArchaeology MA ProgramVirginia PerelsonDirector, Ross CenterMickaella PerinaAssociate Professor and Chair, PhilosophyMaureen ScullyAssociate Professor, Management and MarketingPaul WatanabeAssociate Professor, Political Science; Director, Institute for AsianAmerican StudiesZong-Guo XiaVice Provost for Research and Strategic Initiatives, and Dean ofGraduate StudiesStandard Two: Planning and EvaluationJennifer Brown (Chair)Director of Institutional Research and Policy StudiesRonald BennettSenior Administrator, MIS and Management ReportingMarsha FlorioSenior Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Athletics andRecreation, Special Programs, and ProjectsKirsten GrueterSenior Budget and Policy AnalystRaymond LiuProfessor, Management and MarketingJean MacDonaldDirector of Training and Organizational DevelopmentAnne-Marie McLaughlinEmergency Manager, Administration and FinanceLuciano RamosDirector of Community PartnershipsMarietta SchwartzAssociate Dean, College of Science and MathematicsLaura E Vanderberg*Assistant Dean, Assessment and Planning, College of Educationand Human Developmentxv

Standard Three: Organization and GovernanceMaura Mast (Chair)Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate StudiesKristine AlsterAssociate ProvostRay FrankeAssistant Professor, Leadership in EducationMichael MahanSenior Academic AdvisorNolan O’BrienStudent TrusteeManickam SugumaranProfessor, Biology; Chair, Faculty CouncilStandard Four: The Academic ProgramNeal Bruss (Co-Chair)Associate Professor, EnglishStephanie HartwellSenior Associate Dean of Graduate Studies(Co-Chair)Gail Stubbs (Co-Chair)Assistant Vice Provost, Academic Support Services andUndergraduate StudiesAnn BlumAssociate Professor, Latin American and Iberian StudiesJeffrey BurrChair, Gerontology PhD ProgramAlan ChristianAssociate Professor, Biology and School for the Environment;Director, Environmental StudiesValerie CorrenteAssociate Director of Enrollment ServicesJohn DuffAssociate Professor, School for the EnvironmentAndrew GrosovskyDean, College of Science and MathematicsNardia HaighAssistant Professor, Management and MarketingLisa JohnsonVice Chancellor for Enrollment ManagementMichael JohnsonAssociate Professor, Public Policy and Public AffairsPhilip KretsedemasAssociate Professor, SociologyPatricia Krueger-HenneyAssistant Professor, Leadership in EducationBenyamin LichtensteinAssociate Professor, Management and MarketingJaime LugasResearch Analyst, Office of Institutional Research and PolicyStudiesDennis MaxeyAssociate Dean, College of Advancing and Professional StudiesElizabeth McCahillAssistant Professor, HistorySylvia MignonProfessor and Graduate Program Director, Human ServicesCheryl NixonAssociate Professor and Chair, EnglishDenise PatmonAssociate Professor, Curriculum and Instruction; Director, Centerfor Innovative TeachingMark PawlakDirector of Academic SupportKathryn ReillyGraduate Student, EnglishKaren RicciardiAssociate Professor, School for the EnvironmentAmy Rex SmithAssociate Professor, NursingCarol SmithProfessor, PsychologyRajini SrikanthDean, Honors CollegeBala SundaramProfessor and Chair, PhysicsKaren SuyemotoProfessor, Psychology; Associate Director, Asian AmericanStudies ProgramAmy ToddLecturer II, Anthropology; Vice President, Faculty Staff UnionDanitta WongReference Librarianxvi

Standard Five: FacultyJane Adams (Chair)Ana FregaJudith GolemanSherrod WilliamsProfessor and Chair, PsychologyDirector of Majors Advising, College of Liberal ArtsAssociate Professor, English; Director, Office of FacultyDevelopmentAssociate Vice Provost for Research and Graduate Studies;Professor of NursingAssociate Dean of Graduate Programs, College of ManagementAssistant Professor, Performing ArtsProfessor, Curriculum and Instruction; Graduate Program Director,Critical and Creative ThinkingAssociate Professor, Conflict Resolution, Human Security, andGlobal Governance; Director, Graduate Programs in ConflictResolutionDirector, Office of Leadership and Community EngagementStandard Six: StudentsLisa Buenaventura (Chair)Joan ArchesRichard ArnoldDonald BaynardJoan BeckerLauren Boothby BraunJoseph T. DiMariaJohn DrewChristopher FitzgeraldShelby HarrisJudy KeyesMichael MetzgerLiliana MickleKevin MurphyVignish NatarajanMichael PollardSophia SansoneHeike SchottenInterim Vice Chancellor for Student AffairsProfessor, Human Services and Youth WorkDirector, General Medicine, University Health Services Interim Chiefof Police for the Department of Public Safety Vice Provost forAcademic Support ServicesDirector of New Student ProgramsDirector of Student Housing and Residence LifeDirector, Undergraduate AdmissionsDirector, Intramural and Recreation ProgramsAssistant Dean of StudentsDirector, Student Financial ManagementSpecial Projects Coordinator, Honors CollegeSpecial Assistant to the Vice Provost for Academic SupportAssociate Director, Office of Institutional Research and Policy StudiesAlumnus, MBA ProgramAssociate Director of Systems Development and TechnologyMap-Works Coordinator, University Advising Center AssociateProfessor, Political ScienceLaura HaymanDavid LevyDavid PruettPeter TaylorEben WeitzmanStandard Seven: Library and Other Information ResourcesJavier Crespo (Chair)Associate University LibrarianLaura BozemanGraduate Program Director/Associate Professor, Global InclusionAnd Social DevelopmentProfessor and Chair, Computer SciencePeter FejerDirector, Center for Clinical Education and ResearchJudith Healey-WalshGraduate Program Director/Associate Professor, CurriculumLusa Loand InstructionReference LibrarianTeresa MaceiraGraduate Program Director/Associate Professor, GerontologyEdward MillerPhD Programxvii

Barbara WorleySenior Lecturer, AnthropologyStandard Eight: Physical and Technological ResourcesSusan Wolfson (Chair)Director of Campus Master PlanningPatrick BarronAssociate Professor, EnglishCaroline CosciaLecturer II, Political ScienceDenise DugganDeputy Director of Facilities for AdministrationChris MacRaeUndergraduate Student GovernmentKelly MeehanSpecial Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Student AffairsApurva MehtaInterim Vice Provost for Information Technology and CIOAnita MillerAssociate Vice Chancellor for Academic AffairsJulie SanabriaAcademic Assessment Coordinator, University Advising CenterPeter SchneiderDirector of Environmental Health and SafetyMichael ShiarisProfessor, BiologyJamie SouleManager of Information Technology OperationsJennine TalbotCampus PlannerAndrew S. WeissAssistant Campus PlannerStandard Nine: Financial ResourcesDavid Terkla (Co-Chair)Dean, College of Liberal ArtsSusan Wolfe (Co-Chair)Assistant Vice Chancellor for Budget and Financial PlanningGina CappelloVice Chancellor for University AdvancementJeff KeislerProfessor, Management Science and Information SystemsMatthew MeyerAssociate Vice Provost for Research and Director, Office forResearch and Sponsored ProgramsAlison NietoSpecial Assistant to the Provost for Financial AffairsNeil RosenburgDirector of FinanceStandard Ten: Public DisclosureDeWayne Lehman (Chair) Director of CommunicationsTeresa GoyetteAssociate Director, University Advising CenterUniversity EditorPeter GrennenKen Lachlan*Professor and Chair, CommunicationMarketing and Communications SpecialistThijs MesselaarDigital Communications SpecialistAnna PinkertUndergraduate Student, Communication and Social PsychologyGrant RyanVincent XieAssistant Professor, Management and MarketingStandard Eleven: IntegrityGeorgianna MelendezInterim Chief Diversity Officer(Chair)Becky HsuAssistant Vice Chancellor for Human ResourcesMark JannoniAssociate Dean of StudentsMargaret Peterson Pinkham Senior Director of Human Resources OperationsDiann SimmonsAssistant Dean, College of Liberal Arts*no longer at the universityxviii

OverviewThis self-study comes at a propitious time in UMass Boston’s history. We are celebratingthe 50th anniversary of our founding and the promise that it embodies. We are also moving to the second phase of our 15-year strategic plan, taking stock of accomplishmentsand challenges in the first five years of the plan.The vision of UMass Boston set forth in the plan is ambitious: a transformation to an increasingly sophisticated research university that remains true to its origins as a teachinginstitution with a commitment to public service.This self-study shows the progress the university has made in this transformation. Enrollment is at an all-time high of nearly 17,000 students, 25 percent in graduate study.Our student population continues to grow in diversity, solidifying our position as themost diverse public university in New England. The increasing diversity of our studentshas been accompanied by a rising academic profile among our entering freshmen andtransfer students. Retention and graduation rates continue their upward trajectory,

1972: Trustees authorized first graduate program (MS in chemistry). 1974: First classes at newly constructed harbor campus at Columbia Point. 1980: Trustees authorized granting of the Bachelor of Science degree. 1981: Trustees authorized first doctoral program (Ph.D. in environmental sciences). 1982: Boston State College merged with UMass Boston.