TSTC Harlingen is a state-legislated institute of higher education, and has both a statutory Mission (Purpose) Statement [Ref 1] and an Expanded Statement of Purpose [Ref 2] specific to the TSTC Harlingen campus. Taken together, they are clear, comprehensive, and guide the college's activities. The Expanded Statement of Purpose is approved by the Board of Regents [Ref 3]; is periodically reviewed by its board; and is communicated to its constituencies. The narrative for Core Requirement 4 describes the appropriateness of the statements for TSTC Harlingen.

The Purpose Statement and Expanded Statement of Purpose are clear and comprehensive, inclusive of the institution's role with regards to teaching and learning, as well as research and public service. Both the statutory and Expanded Statements of Purpose guide the strategic operations of the College. Policy 1.16 Institutional Mission/Purpose and Expanded Statement of Purpose [Ref 4] outlines the review and revision process for the statement. Through a grass-roots process, college constituents worked over a decade ago to identify seven "Indicators of Success" (IS) [Ref 5] which have guided the overall activities and strategic outcomes expected by TSTC Harlingen. The Seven Indicators of Success and their respective performance measure are the primary factors that demonstrate achievement of TSTC Harlingen's purpose. The seven indicators are reviewed every five years in conjunction with the review of the Expanded Statement of Purpose for changes that reflect revisions made to the Statement. This process also ensures that all measures and benchmarks used to gauge college performance are current. An Institutional Effectiveness Report Card is published in the spring of each even-numbered year to measure program and institutional achievement of the institution's purpose for the previous biennium. See the Institutional Effectiveness Handbook for schedules and review processes [Ref 6]. The most current edition of the TSTC IE Report Card [Ref 7] demonstrates TSTC Harlingen's most recent outcomes.

Additionally, department and college planning is tied to the achievement of all Indicators of Success performance standards through this process, thus providing direction in TSTC Harlingen's attempt to "close the loop" on identified college weaknesses. All measures used to support the accomplishment of each Indicator of Success are expected to be met or exceeded. When one of these measures is not met at the institutional or department level, the improvement plan developed to comply with established measures and outcomes is integrated into the established budgeting, assessment and planning cycles. The areas identified as not meeting established measures and standards from all Indicators of Success then become part of a unit's or division's goals in the Strategic Plan [Ref 8], Operational Plan [Ref 9], and Unit Action Plan [Ref 10] cycle for the subsequent biennium, and continues to be part of the plan until established measures are finally met or exceeded, therefore ensuring achievement of the TSTC Harlingen purpose. [Ref 8 and Ref 9] outline the Operational Plan and Unit Action Plans.

As stipulated in Policy 1.16, Institutional Mission/Purpose and Expanded Statement [Ref 4], TSTC Harlingen officially reviews its Expanded Statement of Purpose every five years.

Once a revised version of the Expanded Statement of Purpose is approved by the President's Council and TSTC System Management Council, it is forwarded to the TSTC System office in the form of a minute order for review by the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents customarily reviews and approves the revised Expanded Statement of Purpose at their subsequent quarterly board meeting where it is officially approved. Minutes to the most recent review and approval of the Expanded Statement of Purpose are found in [Ref 11].

Once approved by the TSTC Board of Regents, the College ensures that all publications (including electronic mediums) are revised to reflect the new Expanded Statement of Purpose. The TSTC Harlingen Catalog, web site, and other key reports and publications, contain the revised approved Expanded Statement of Purpose thereby communicating it to its constituencies.