Student success is significantly affected by the learning environment. An effective institution provides
appropriate academic and student support programs and services consistent with the institution’s
mission that enhance the educational and personal development experience(s) of students at all
levels; contribute to the achievement of teaching and learning outcomes; ensure student success in
meeting the goals of the educational programs; and provide an appropriate range of support services
and programs to students at all locations. Qualified and effective faculty and staff are essential to
implementing the institution’s goals and mission and to ensuring the quality and integrity of its
academic and student support programs and services. An effective institution has policies and
procedures that support a stimulating and safe learning environment.
Appropriate academic and student support programs and services apply to both undergraduate
and graduate programs, although the mix of appropriate services may differ for students seeking
degrees at different levels. Similarly, the mix of services may differ by location or mode of delivery.
Regardless of the type of student, however, the expectation is that an institution recognizes this
important component of student learning and student development, and that, in the context of
its mission, the institution provides an appropriate range of support services and programs to all
students.
Furthermore, academic support services may be appropriate for faculty as well as students.
Testing centers serve both faculty and students, learning resource specialists often offer services for
enhancing pedagogy, and instructional technologists support faculty seeking to develop and enhance
courses.
The Core Requirement calls for “appropriate…programs, services, and activities.” When
addressing this Core Requirement, an institution needs to see past its own organizational chart and
not address just offices or departments. Organizationally, academic and student support services
may be housed in academic offices, in student affairs, or administrative offices. Academic support
services may include, but are not limited to, academic teaching and resource centers, tutoring,
academic advising, counseling, disability services, diversity and inclusion offices, campus ministry,
service learning centers, teaching laboratories, career services, testing centers, student life, residence
life programming, and information technology. The emphasis should be on aspects of the institution
that serve a curricular support or co-curricular function