Idaho State University has served the citizens of the state since 1901 when the institution was first established as the Academy of Idaho. Renamed the Idaho Technical Institute in 1915 and reorganized as the Southern Branch of the University of Idaho in 1927, it was established as Idaho State College in 1947. By action of the 37th Idaho Legislature, the institution became Idaho State University on July 1, 1963. Bachelors and masters degrees in a variety of fields are awarded by the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Health-Related Professions, and the Graduate School. Terminal degrees offered at ISU include Master of Fine Arts, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Arts, and Doctor of Education. Certificate programs of varying lengths and an Associate Technology degree are included in the curricula of the School of Applied Technology.

Role and Mission

Idaho State University is a broad-based regional public university, providing a broad range of educational services to a culturally diverse population of students and to the state. The university is Idahos center for education in the health professions. Idaho State University offers a wide array of academic programs: in the health professions and supporting sciences and educator preparation (its areas of primary emphasis); in business and engineering (its areas of continuing emphasis); and in the liberal arts. It is committed to maintining a strong liberal arts program as the basis of other academic disciplines and as an independent, multifaceted field of inquiry. The university offers graduate programs in a number of fields and is a national center for the Doctor of Arts degree. Its School of Applied Technology provides high-quality education and training in response to the needs of students and private industry. Idaho State University is dedicated to excellence in teaching. The university engages in sustained and significant research as an essential component of its academic and public service programs. It views public service as an integral part of its mission. Idaho State University is committed to providing accessible, high quality education to the diverse citizenry of its region and state, and delivers comprehensive and creative outreach programs using the latest available technology. The university offers a range of academic and support services to help all students succeed. It encourages student and public participation in its cultural, recreational and athletic programs, and welcomes the continuing involvement of alumni and other friends in its endeavors.

Idaho State University . . .
is a broad-based regional public university . . .

Idaho State University provides both general education and specialized programs and fulfills a community college role. It offers certificates, associate, baccalaureate, masters and doctoral degrees, and post-doctoral residency programs. The university serves the current and emerging needs of the state and region through its wide range of education, research and public service programs for students, the general public, public agencies, and private industry. Idaho State University is committed to serving the higher education needs of the citizens of the state and the intermountain region. The university seeks to attract and retain high quality undergraduate and graduate students from Idaho and the Intermountain West, while regarding eastern Idahoan area including the Magic Valley east to Wyoming, north to Montana and south to Utah--as its primary service area.

is Idaho's center for education in the health professions . . .

The university serves as Idahos lead institution for education in the health professions and related biological and physical sciences. Idaho State University delivers statewide comprehensive academic programming, professional continuing education, basic and applied research, and specialized public service in the health sciences.

offers an array of academic programs . . .

Idaho State University offers students a full range of academic programs, including majors in the liberal arts and a number of professional fields--the health sciences, business, education and engineering. All Idaho State University academic programs strive for the highest standards of academic excellence, and are responsive to the changing and increasingly complex needs of students and the professions they serve. They recognize that ongoing research is critical to maintaining that excellence and to providing high quality service to public agencies, private enterprise and to the citizens of Idaho.

has a primary emphasis in educator preparation . . .

The State Board of Education has designated educator preparation as a primary emphasis area at all Idaho universities. Idaho State University views this area as a field of major importance. The university provides strong educator preparation programs as well as a comprehensive outreach component, serving school districts throughout Idaho.

is committed to maintaining a strong liberal arts program . . .

Idaho State University recognizes that the heart of its undergraduate program is its rigorous liberal arts core--its arts and sciences curricula. These programs provide focused study in arts and sciences, essential general university courses, and the foundation for an understanding of other disciplines. Their emphasis on critical thinking skills is essential to the lifelong education of an informed citizenry. The liberal arts must remain strong and responsive to the needs of students, of other academic units at the university, and the professions which its graduates enter.

offers graduate programs in a range of disciplines . . .

Idaho State Universitys Office of Graduate Studies and Research fosters and coordinates an array of high quality post-baccalaureate programs at the Masters and Doctoral levels. The graduate school encourages mentoring of students by faculty and provides support for research activities throughout the unversity. The graduate school is committed to increasing public awareness of the importance of the universitys Doctor of Arts program and its role as a national center for that program.

provides high quality applied technology programs . . .

Applied technology programs help Idaho State University fulfill its community college function and are responsive to the emerging needs of business and industry. These programs are well-coordinated with university academic courses, particularly those designated as primary emphasis areas. The School of Applied Technology designs and provides programs in response to the employment and economic development needs of the region and state.

is dedicated to excellence in teaching . . .

Idaho State University recognizes the importance of effective teaching and provides regular instructional improvement opportunities for all faculty. Part-time faculty and graduate students who teach are given appropriate guidance and oversight, and are given appropriate guidance and oversight, and are expected to participate, along with full-time faculty, in activities related to instructioanl improvement. Teaching excellence is recognized and rewarded by the unviersity.

engages in sustained, significant research . . .

Idaho State University recognizes that ongoing research is essential to increasing our understanding of the world around us, to developing quality instruction, to promoting economic development and enhancing the quality of life. The university will encourage, support and reward quality research activity, particularly that which is related to its mission and to the needs of communities, businesses and industries in the region.

considers public service an integral part of its mission . . .

The university views professional and public service as a crucial compoent of its role as a public institution, and will continue to provide a wide range of programs and services in response to the changing needs of the citizens of Idaho. The public service work of faculty, staff and students is recognized and rewarded.

provides accessible, high quality education . . .

Idaho State University is committed to serving the citizenry of the region and state through an open enrollment policy for general university students. The university encourages and respects diversity among its students, faculty and staff. Idaho State University maintains high academic standards though a carefully managed process designed to provide the greatest opportunity for academic success for entering students.

delivers comprehensive and creative outreach services . . .

Idaho State University provides degree and non-degree outreach programs in a coordinated, integrated effort which is responsive to the needs of students. Outreach efforts are clearly related to the universitys statewide and regional missions, and provide high quality programs in the most effective and efficient manner possible, through on-site classes taught by faculty and via telecommunications or other distance learning systems.

offers a range of academic and support services to students ...

Idaho State University's student services programs are committed to the development of the whole person, and recognize that each student is unique and has worth and dignity. The Division of Student Affairs, Offices of Enrollment Planning and Academic Services and faculty offer programs to meet the current and projected needs of students. These offices provide programs on admissions, admissions counseling and advising, registration, financial aid, health care, child care, housing, employment, career and personal counseling, testing, academic skills development and placement. Student organizations and campus committees provide opportunities for personal and social growth.

encourages student and public participation in a variety of cultural programs . . .

Idaho State University offers its students and all Idaho citizens a chance to participate in, learn from, and simply enjoy a variety of cultural programs and events in music, the visual arts, drama and natural history, to name a few. The Idaho Museum of Natural History, designated as a state museum, provides visitors with a window on Idahos past. The museum offers Idahoans and students at any educational level an array of on-campus and outreach programs about our natural heritage.

encourages student and public participation in a variety of recreational and athletic programs . . .

Recreational and athletic programs are integral parts of the university, offering diverse opportunities for student competition and public involvement. The programs are guided by the principle that student- athletes are students first, with their academic success as the first priority. The public service work of these programs provides encouragement and instruction to young student-athletes throughout the region. They foster and enhance a positive institutional spirit and sense of community through their on-campus and outreach efforts.

welcomes the involvement of alumni and other friends . . .

Idaho State University's extended community includes its alumni and other friendscitizens of Idaho and from around the world who maintain an active interest in, and who may wish to support, the development and progress of the university. Idaho State University welcomes their ongoing involvement in its endeavors. The university strives to keep them informed about its activities, and to provide them with opportunities for participation in a range of programs serving the educational needs of the state and region.

Accreditation

Idaho State University is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. In addition the university is accredited or approved for specific programs by the following organizations: American Council on Pharmaceutical Education, the
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, the National Association of Schools of Music, the American Chemical Society, the National League for Nursing, the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business, the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, American Speech, Language, Hearing Association, Council on Social Work Education, and Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. The university holds membership in numerous organizations which have specific academic requirements. Among these are the American Association of University Women, the Council of Graduate Schools in the United States, the Western Association of Graduate Schools, the National Commission on Accrediting, and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

University Library

The University Library, located in the Eli M. Oboler Library building, contains major collections of books, maps, microforms, periodicals and government publications and provides a full range of services to students and staff. The book collection of approximately 350,000 volumes is accessed via an on-line catalog which is linked to an automated circulation system. The library subscribes to some 3,100 periodicals and has periodical backfiles totalling 120,000 volumes. The government publications collection comprises over 330,000 items. ISU has been a depository for federal publications since 1908 and for Idaho state publications since 1972. The government publications department contains a collection of more than 1,200,000 items published in microform.

In addition to supplying informational materials from its own collections, the library provides an interlibrary loan facility which is equipped to locate and deliver books and periodical articles from other libraries holdings. Utilizing Fax transmission as well as postal services, the interlibrary loan service handles over 2,500 transactions each year.

An integral part of library service is the provision of reference and research assistance to patrons. General reference service is provided at the reference desk and is available during most hours that the library is open. Those patrons exploring the periodical and government document collections can utilize a wide range of paper and CD-Rom indexes and may obtain librarian-assisted access to on-line databases. Library instruction is available to classes and student groups and is tailored to address students specific needs, from general library orientation to subject-specific bibliographic research.

Student Union

The Student Union serves the campus as the focal point for an informal education. Among its many facilities are lounges, check cashing service, automatic teller machine, food service areas, bowling, billiards, film theatre, computer lab, copy service, ballroom, barber shop, bookstore, meeting rooms, and much more. The facilities are in constant use by various campus groups, individual students, and off-campus groups from the community and area.

The Program Board, appointed by the Student Senate, is responsible for the entertainment and social programs which take place on campus. This student committee has the responsibility of pogramming movies, dances, homecoming, concerts, art displays, games tournaments, speakers, family programming, and many other activities.

The Student Union Program Office is also home for Special Delivery Productions, the program responsible for providing activities to part-time students. This program modifies traditional student activities to meet the needs of commuting and non-traditional students. Programs are presented both on campus and in outlying towns where commuter students live. The Student Union and the Union Hypostyle house various other offices in addition to Student Senate.

The Student Affairs offices in the hypostyle include the Dean and Associate Dean of Student Affairs. Other offices within the building include non-credit continuing education, the arts and crafts center, the outdoor program office, the wilderness equipment rental center, the program board office, the ticket office, reservations and catering, Marriott Foods, the student employment office, post office, and the university newspaper.

Idaho Museum of Natural History

Established for the state in 1934, the Idaho Museum of Natural History collects, preserves, and interprets objects found in Idaho and the Northern Intermountain West. A unique resource for the entire region, the museum has displays of basketry, beadwork, and hidegoods; an exhibit explaining the process of fossilization; a rock and mineral exhibit; a Discovery Room; and the exciting, animated dinosaur exhibit Dinosaurs and More. More than 410 objects form the basis of interpretive research programs used by university faculty, museum curators, and students.

Many university courses in anthropology, biology, and geology use the museum collection as a teaching resource. Classes taught at the museum include anthropology, archaeology, vertebrate paleontology, and museology. The museums educational programs serve public school students from the entire region. A gift shop offers a unique variety of natural history books and related items.

Physical Facilities

Classroom and laboratory buildings include Leonard Hall, home of the College of Pharmacy; the Kegel Liberal Arts Building; the Arthur Tranmer Dental Arts Building; the Physical Science Building; the College of Education Complex; the Fine Arts Building; the College of Business Building; Lillibridge Engineering Laboratory; and the Gale Life Sciences Complex, which houses biological, psychological, biochemical, and microbiological sciences, and two departments of the College of Health-Related Professions (nursing, and speech pathology and audiology).

The School of Applied Technology is quartered in the Trade and Technology Building, the Vocational Arts Building, the Industrial Crafts Building, and the Roy F. Christensen Complex. The school also makes use of several off-campus facilities. Frazier Hall, the universitys main auditorium building, also houses the Department of Communication and Theatre. Other auditorium facilities are located in the Fine Arts Building, the College of Education Buildig, the Gale Life Sciences Complex, and the Earl R. Pond Student Union Building. The Earl R. Pond Student Union Building provides a central meeting place for students, offering dining facilities, numerous meeting rooms, facilities for bowling and other games, student affairs offices, U.S. Post Office and the University Bookstore.