About Salem

Mission of Salem State College

Salem State College is a comprehensive, publicly supported institution of higher learning located 21 miles north of Boston. Salem State is a community of learners which, in light of its commitment to teaching, research, and scholarship, fosters the intellectual, aesthetic, and personal development of its members. In the service of the citizens of the Commonwealth and members of the larger global community, Salem State is committed to the discovery and transmission of knowledge.

To accomplish its broad based mission, Salem State adheres to the principle that quality teaching must be supported by the research and scholarship of its faculty. Recognizing the developmental needs of students, the college provides opportunities for personal growth through a variety of academic and student life programs, services, and other activities.

In order to provide the foundation for lifelong learning and development, each of Salem State's programs is grounded in the tradition of a liberal education. Because Salem State seeks to build a community that includes all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds, it offers baccalaureate and graduate degree programs responsive to the needs of a wide spectrum of individuals as well as to the needs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. These programs are offered throughout the year and include day, evening, and weekend classes. Additionally, as a cultural, artistic, and educational focal point of the North Shore, Salem State is committed to providing diverse experiences, including a broad range of non-credit programs, for the benefit of the wider community.

In carrying out its mission Salem State will:

• Provide access to quality graduate and undergraduate programs across a broad range of study responsive to societal needs in the arts, the sciences, and professional disciplines.
• Provide an integrated approach to the intellectual and developmental needs of students which emphasizes respect for the worth, dignity, and uniqueness of individuals. Programs and services include life-long learning, career services, counseling and health services, a center for international students, student activities and governance, judicial affairs residence life, orientation, athletics, campus ministries, and other activities which are compatible to the students' life goals.
• Stimulate research and scholarly activity while promoting faculty and staff development. Toward this end Salem State will encourage faculty in their quest for scholarly excellence through support of resources such as equipment, supplies, and space for research endeavors; sabbaticals, publications in scholarly journals, tests, and in house publications such as the Sextant and Crosscurrents; presentations at academic and professional conferences; the Bureau of Faculty Research; and other professional endeavors.
• Continue to develop and implement distinctive academic programs appropriate to a comprehensive institution of higher education. Examples of such programs are the Master's Degree in Geo-Information Sciences, the Center for the New School under the Teach America initiative, and the Master's Degree in Social Work.
• Maintain a system of institutional evaluation to ensure academic excellence through accreditation and program reviews.
• Ensure access and support within an environment sensitive to a diverse population to those who traditionally have had limited opportunities for higher education, including ethnic and racial minorities, the physically challenged, and other underrepresented constituencies. Salem State will continue its program of affirmative action in providing equal opportunity in admissions, and in its dealings with the larger community. Salem State remains committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination and harassment.
• Provide a physically safe and intellectually supportive atmosphere for learning by supporting the intellectual, cultural, economic, and social development of the college and regional communities.
• Maximize support from the Commonwealth, foundations, corporations alumni, private donors, and others. In particular, Salem State will continue to seek state funding for the graduate program and to acquire quality space and new facilities.
• Combine the Day College, the Division of Continuing Education, and the Graduate School, thereby providing the entire college community with expanded academic opportunities. Through flexible and innovative scheduling and programming, Salem State will continue its commitment to continuing education and life-long learning.
• Promote student transfer from the Commonwealth's Community Colleges and other 2 year and 4 year institutions through articulation agreements; develop student services for transfer students; and provide a welcoming atmosphere to assist in their transition.
• Collaborate with education districts to develop programs of study focusing upon the reform and development of teacher education by creating models for change and improvement.
• Provide programs, resources, and research to meet the needs of education, business, industry, human services, and government in all ever changing society.
• Enhance community involvement by developing outreach programs by establishing community internships, and by being a focus for community communications and development.

In closing, Salem State believes that achievement of university status is a realistic, worthwhile goal, both earned and overdue University status will represent the culmination of the efforts of this fine academic community and an investment in the future of the Commonwealth.

Adopted by Salem State College Board of Trustees, February 24, 1993.