Architecture Program Report for 2012 NAAB Visit for Continuing Accreditation
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Philadelphia University Architecture Program, College of Architecture and the Built Environment Architecture Program Report for 2012 NAAB Visit for Continuing Accreditation Bachelor of Architecture (166-68 credit hours) Year of the Previous Visit: 2006 Current Term of Accreditation: At the March 2007 meeting of the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), the board reviewed the Visiting Team Report of the Philadelphia University School of Architecture. “The board noted the concern of the visiting team regarding problems with in several areas. As a result, the professional architecture program – Bachelor of Architecture (166 credit hours) – was formally granted a six-year term of accreditation with the stipulation that a focused evaluation be scheduled in two years to look only at the following: Human Resources and Physical Resources and the progress that has been made in those areas. The accreditation term is effective January 1, 2006. The program is scheduled for its next full accreditation visit in 2012. The focused evaluations are scheduled for the calendar year 2009.” Response to 2009 Focused Visit “After reviewing the Focused Evaluation Program Report submitted by the Philadelphia University Department of Architecture and Interiors as part of the focused evaluation of its Bachelor of Architecture program, in conjunction with the Focused Evaluation Team Report, the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) has found that the changes made or planned by the program to remove the identified deficiencies are satisfactory. “The program will not be required to report on these deficiencies as part of its Annual Report (AR) to the NAAB; however, the program should continue to include a response to any other deficiencies listed in the most recent Visiting Team Report, as well as report on any modifications made in the program that may affect its adherence to the conditions for accreditation. “The next comprehensive visit for the Philadelphia University Bachelor of Architecture program is scheduled for 2012 and will be subject to the 2009 Conditions for Accreditation.” Submitted to: The National Architectural Accrediting Board Date: 7 September 2011 (corrected 14 December 2011) Name and contact information for the following: Program Administrator: David M. Breiner, PhD, Architecture Program Director 215.951.2505 [email protected] Chief administrator for the academic unit in which the program is located: Louis Padulo, PhD, Interim Executive Dean, College of Architecture and the Built Environment 215.951.2899 [email protected] Chief Academic Officer of the Institution: H. Randy Swearer, PhD, Provost and Dean of the Faculty 215.951.2796 [email protected] President of the Institution: Stephen Spinelli, PhD, President 215.951.2727 Individual submitting the Architecture Program Report: David M. Breiner Name of individual to whom questions should be directed: David M. Breiner 215.951.2505 breinerd@philau,edu iii Table of Contents Section Page Part One. Institutional Support and Commitment to Continuous Improvement 1. Identify & Self Assessment 1. History Mission ................................................................................................. 1 2. Learning Culture and Social Equity ................................................................. 4 3. Responses to the Five Perspectives ............................................................. 11 4. Long Range Planning .................................................................................... 16 5. Program Self Assessment ............................................................................. 20 2. Resources 1. Human Resources and Human Resource Development ............................... 31 2. Administrative Structure and Governance ..................................................... 62 3. Physical Resources ....................................................................................... 67 4. Financial Resources ...................................................................................... 81 5. Information Resources ................................................................................... 91 3. Institutional Characteristics 1. Statistical Reports .......................................................................................... 95 2. Annual Reports ............................................................................................ 100 3. Faculty Credentials ...................................................................................... 100 4. Policy Review ............................................................................................................ 102 Part Two. Educational Outcomes and Curriculum 1. Student Performance Criteria ................................................................................... 103 2. Curricular Framework 1. Regional Accreditation ................................................................................. 106 2. Professional Degrees and Curriculum ......................................................... 109 3. Curriculum Review and Development ......................................................... 116 3. Evaluation of Preparatory/Pre-professional Education ............................................. 117 4. Public Information 1. Statement on NAAB-Accredited Degrees .................................................... 117 2. Access to NAAB Conditions and Procedures .............................................. 117 3. Access to Career Development Information ................................................ 117 4. Public Access to APRs and VTRs ............................................................... 117 5. ARE Pass Rates .......................................................................................... 117 Part Three. Progress Since Last Site Visit 1. Summary of Responses to the Team Findings ......................................................... 119 a. Responses to Conditions Not Met ............................................................... 119 b. Responses to Causes of Concern ............................................................... 124 iv 2. Summary of Responses to Changes in the NAAB Conditions ................................. 125 Part Four. Supplemental Information .......................................................................................... 130 1. Course Description 2. Faculty Resumes 3. Visiting Team Report [insert year of report] (VTR) 4. Catalog (or URL) v This page is left blank intentionally. vi Philadelphia University Architecture Program Report September 2011 Part One (I). Institutional Support and Commitment to Continuous Improvement I.1. Identity & Self Assessment I.1.1. History Mission History and Mission of Philadelphia University Philadelphia University was founded in 1884 as the Philadelphia Textile School in the wake of the 1876 Centennial Exposition. Led by Theodore Search, a group of textile manufacturers noticed a sizable gap between the quality and variety of American textile products and those displayed by European mills. To address this, the group established the School to educate America’s textile workers and managers. The Philadelphia Textile School entered a period of growth at the outset of World War II, when it was granted the right to award baccalaureate degrees and changed its name to the Philadelphia Textile Institute. Following the war, it moved to its present site in the East Falls section of Philadelphia. Continued growth led the institute to become the Philadelphia College of Textiles & Science (PCT&S) in 1961. Over the decades, the campus grew through the acquisition of adjacent properties, and academic offerings expanded to include programs in the arts and sciences, business administration, and architecture and design. Reflecting the institution’s breadth and depth, in 1999 the College was granted university status by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and became Philadelphia University. The most recent academic reorganization of the University, in July 2011, resulted in the creation of three colleges: the College of Design, Engineering and Commerce (formerly the Schools of Design + Media, Engineering and Textiles, and Business Administration); the College of Architecture and the Built Environment (formerly the School of Architecture); and the College of Science, Health and the Liberal Arts (formerly the Schools of Science and Health and of Liberal Arts). Since this APR documents the progress of the Architecture Program during the last six years, throughout the report the old structure of the School of Architecture is used whenever possible. The University’s niche in today’s world of higher education continues to provide quality professional education based on a strong liberal arts foundation. Thoughout its existence, the institution has had as the core of its mission the service to industry and society. Outstanding teaching as well as research and professional practice are the avenues for faculty development, from which students benefit. Today, the 3,700 students gain professional skills combined with a broad education in the liberal arts and sciences that enables them to thrive in diverse and changing contexts and to maintain a global perspective. This attitude underpins the University’s signature “Nexus Learning” approach, which is characterized by active and collaborative learning that is connected to the real world and infused by the liberal arts. The current University mission is presented in the Faculty Handbook (Fall 2009 edition):