HISTORY
Northern Kentucky University (NKU), the newest of Kentucky's eight state universities, was founded in 1968. However, the roots of Northern can be traced back another twenty years. In 1948, a two-year Extension Center of the University of Kentucky was located in the First District Elementary School in Covington. Then, as Northern Community College, the center moved to the Park Hills area of Covington in 1962. Six years later, the General Assembly of Kentucky authorized the creation of a four-year college, Northern Kentucky State College (NKSC). A board of regents and a consultant were appointed by the governor to assist in planning the new school.
In September 1970, NKSC began offering courses for students pursuing a bachelor's degree. Also, technical and semi-professional two-year programs leading to the degree of Associate of Applied Science were offered in accounting technology, nursing, and professional secretaryship. In 1971 third-year courses were added to the curriculum with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science being initiated in business, education, and most of the basic arts and sciences. Also in 1971, the Salmon P. Chase College of Law, formerly an independent law school in Cincinnati, merged with Northern Kentucky State College.
Graduate programs were initiated in education in 1975; in business administration in 1979; in public administration in 1989; in nursing in 1992; in technology in 1997; in accountancy in 1998, in computer science in 1999, in instructional leadership in 1999, in teaching in 2001, in information systems in 2001, and in Industrial/Organizational Psychology in 2004. The Graduate Center was established on the NKU campus in 1977 to administer graduate programs; programs in social work, library science, nursing, public affairs, and community nutrition are available through the center.
The first building on the new campus in Highland Heights was completed in time for fall semester 1972. In addition to the opening of Louie B. Nunn Hall, the University added fourth-year courses to the curriculum in 1972. The first bachelor's degrees were awarded in May 1973, and course offerings have been continually expanded to meet the needs of a growing student body. On 25 February 1976, Governor Julian Carroll signed House Bill 180, making Northern Kentucky State College a university. Full status was recognized on 19 June 1976. Major construction of the campus began in 1972 and continues today to accommodate a growing enrollment that now is just over 14,000 students.
SCOPE OF PROGRAMS
Northern Kentucky University offers students a broad range of educational programs emphasizing traditional collegiate and liberal studies. Recognizing the needs of its region, the University's primary mission is to provide instruction at the associate and bachelor's degree levels. The University also offers professional and career studies at these levels.
The University offers selected master's degree programs, approved by the Council on Postsecondary Education, and the degree of Juris Doctor through Chase College of Law.
A metropolitan university, Northern takes advantage of its close proximity to other higher education and post-secondary institutions through reciprocity agreements with the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, and Southern State Community College. Northern serves Indiana students through a reciprocity agreement with the State of Indiana. The University also provides applied research, service, and continuing education programs related to the needs of its region.
COMMITMENT TO EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
It is the policy of NKU not to discriminate in employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs on the basis of race, sex, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, physical and/or mental disability, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam Era. The University takes affirmative action to fulfill its policy against illegal discrimination.
Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination and is therefore a violation of NKU's Affirmative Action Policy, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, non-verbal, physical, or non-physical conduct of a sexual nature that unreasonably interferes with an individual's academic or employment performance. The University's policy is in compliance with state and federal guidelines and is consistent with the University's interest in seeking a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. Student inquiries may be directed to the Northern Kentucky University, Dean of Students or the Director of Affirmative Action and Multicultural Affairs, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099.
ACCREDITATION
Northern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The following organizations have accredited NKU programs: Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business - The International Association for Management Education, American Association of Law Schools, American Bar Association, American Chemical Society, American Council for Construction Education, Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health 08-Jul-2005 Education, Council on Social Work Education, Education Professional Standards Board, Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, National Association of Schools of Music, National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, and National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.
The University is authorized by the Commonwealth of Kentucky to confer the degrees of Associate of Applied Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts in Teaching, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Organizational Studies, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Social Work, Master of Accountancy, Master of Arts in Education, Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, Master of Science in Computer Science, Master of Science in Nursing, and Master of Science in Technology. The degree of Juris Doctor is conferred by the College of Law; the degree of Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration by the College of Law and the College of Business.
STATEMENT OF MISSION
Northern Kentucky University has a singular mission within the Commonwealth as a metropolitan and regional institution. It offers associate, bachelor's, graduate, and professional programs addressing the educational needs of a large and diverse population. Through such programs, the University educates students to be productive citizens and prepares them for careers and life-long learning. As an educational, cultural, and social center, the University stimulates economic development and fosters the academic, artistic, and personal freedoms vital to a free society.
GEOGRAPHIC REGION
The University serves the citizens of northern Kentucky with a particular focus on the metropolitan area contiguous to greater Cincinnati. Student residential services are provided.
INSTITUTIONAL ADMISSION STANDARDS
Northern Kentucky University admits students under selective standards exceeding the minimum admission guidelines, established by the Council on Postsecondary Education, with only limited exceptions. The institutional standards are consistent with the system-wide policy for admitting under-prepared students, including the removal of academic deficiencies within a specified time frame. Through this approach, the University seeks to provide both broad access and high-quality programs and to pursue a particular commitment to placebound and other learners and to populations traditionally under-represented in higher education.
DEGREE LEVELS
The University offers selected programs leading to associate, bachelor's, master's, and professional law degrees to meet specific metropolitan/regional needs.
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS/PROGRAM PRIORITIES
Northern Kentucky University's distinctive metropolitan/regional mission requires that it maintain a broad range of offerings: occupational programs, a traditional arts and sciences bachelor's curriculum, legal education through Chase College of Law, and graduate programs to meet specific metropolitan/regional needs. The University's responsibility is to meet the needs of both northern Kentucky and the greater metropolitan area. Academic priorities include occupational programs, liberal arts and sciences, business, education, and law. These strategic priorities translate into a core of liberal arts bachelor's degree programs in addition to degree programs priorities at the associate, bachelor's, master's, and professional levels.
ENHANCEMENT OF INSTRUCTION
Teaching and learning are the primary focus of the University. The University offers a broad range of instructional and support services to promote the curricular and extracurricular development and success of its students. Developmental programs address the needs of under-prepared students; extensive evening offerings and alternate means of course delivery expand opportunities for students with limited access to the campus.
SERVICE AND RESEARCH FUNCTIONS
Northern Kentucky University seeks to develop creative and mutually beneficial partnerships with public and private enterprises in the local metropolitan area and the region in support of economic growth and investment. The University is especially committed to offering training, applied research, and other services in support of area businesses, industry, and government. It recognizes a special commitment to research and service in support of local elementary and secondary schools in its primary service area.
The University engages in community partnerships coordinated through the Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement. The Center was established by NKU to advance public stewardship, citizenship, and engagement through learning, scholarship, and community capacity-building. The Center engages students in a variety of community capacity-building projects, from student philanthropy to service-learning to citizenship skill building. The Center also involves students in a Get Out the Vote for Democracy Initiative. NKU students can be trained as Engagement Specialists and assigned to work with faculty and community leaders on a variety of tasks.
For more information on these and other programs, visit the Center's website at http://civicengagement.nku.edu or phone the office at 859-572-1448.
The University strives to enhance the experiences of students by offering two opportunities that enable students to fund and present research or creative activities on interesting topics.
Students can obtain funds to pay for materials, supplies, equipment, software, or project-related travel while they conduct a project under the mentorship of a faculty member. To locate the guidelines for this program, visit: http://rgc.nku.edu/surg.doc.
Students can also present their work at the annual Celebration of Student Research and Creativity. This event highlights students' achievements in a broad array of scholarly and creative activities. Students display their work through posters, oral presentations, interactive demonstratives, performances, and exhibits of artistic work. Website: http://celebration.nku.edu. For further information on both programs contact the Office of Research, Grants, and Contracts, Administrative Center 724, phone: 859-572-5136.
The University establishes and maintains cooperative and mutually beneficial relationships with other public institutions of higher education in Kentucky, with elementary and secondary schools, and with other such institutions in northern Kentucky and the interdependent metropolitan area. Curriculum development emphasizes the transfer of credits from another institution toward degree completion.
The University participates in the Kentucky Commonwealth Virtual University (KYVU), a collaboration of Kentucky public and independent universities. KYVU can be found on the Web at http://www.kcv.org. KYVU is a public institution which coordinates credit and non-credit student-friendly learning environments that can lead to certificates or degrees. KYVU uses a multi-technology approach including one-way broadcast (KET), interactive television (KTLN), and Web-based course work. The Kentucky Commonwealth Virtual Library (KCVL), found at http://www.kcvl.org, provides a single web portal to learning materials state-wide and includes cooperation of Kentucky colleges, universities, P-12 school systems, and local libraries.
EFFICENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS
Northern Kentucky University addresses the educational needs of its region and people effectively and efficiently. Planning, evaluation, assessment, and prudent commitment of resources are essential to promote continuous improvement of programs and services. Strategic planning that results in elimination of duplicative or unproductive programs not serving metropolitan/regional needs is essential, while the development of carefully selected new programs compatible with the mission is appropriate.
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
Northern Kentucky University offers an array of excellent graduate programs. Graduate programs are directed to professionals who would like to earn a degree or certificate to help them in their career paths. For more information on NKU graduate programs call the Office of Graduate Programs at 859-572-1555; e-mail: gradprog@nku.edu; or, visit their website at http://gradsite.nku.edu.
By Mary A. Lepper
Email: oca@nku.edu