Foundational Dimensions®

The Foundational Dimensions are nine aspirational principles of excellence. The
Dimensions were originally developed collaboratively by the Policy Center, its design
partners from Penn State University's Center for the Study of Higher Education and
Campus Compact, and over 300 four- and two-year institutions.

Philosophy is what the institution believes to be the primary purpose or rationale for the
experiences of its students. This dimension relates to, but is not the mission or vision
statements. It is the basis for organizational policies, practices, structure, leadership, and
allocation of resources.

Organization: Organization is the key determinant of an institutions ability to provide comprehensive and
flexible services to new students. The institution should be organized so as to deliver structures and services
that facilitate new student transition and to serve students with specific needs. This dimension should support
the achievement of the institutional philosophy.

Learning refers to experiences, both in and out of the classroom, that engage new students to promote critical
thinking, ethical decision making, and lifelong pursuit of knowledge. Learning should be consistent with the
institution’s mission, students’ academic and career goals, and workplace expectations.

Campus Culture consists of a culture of responsibility for the experiences of new students by administration,
faculty, and staff. It is realized through high-quality instruction, services, supports, as well as substantial
interactions with students both in and out of the classroom.

Transitions refers to the students’ transition experience to and within the college. It involves the effectiveness
of the institution’s communication to new students about such things as expectations, out of class opportunities;
student supports services, advising, etc. It also includes communication with secondary institutions, other
postsecondary institutions, families, employers, and community agencies.

All Students, both traditional and non-traditional, should be ensured a campus environment that is safe and
inclusive of their needs, abilities, backgrounds, interests, and experiences. The institution, on an on-going basis,
should work to identify students’ academic, social, and safety needs and adjust to meet those needs.

Diversity deals with how the institution ensures that students are exposed to diverse ideas, worldviews, and
cultures as a means of enhancing their learning and participation in the community. It deals with how the
institution approaches the topic of human differences both in an out of classroom.

Roles and Purposes of education include: personal growth, career enhancement, workplace preparation
and retraining, transfer for additional education, engaged citizenship, and serving the public good. It promotes
student understanding of these roles both for the individual and society.

Improvement refers to remaining current on relevant research and current practices in order to assess and
provide feedback to: 1)students to guide their learning, 2) faculty to guide their teaching and 3) to the institution
to guide planning, resource allocations, decision making, and improvement of programs an d policies.