The competencies in this topic area are directed toward understanding and functioning within the unique characteristics of higher education institutions. The focus is on comprehending factors such as institutions’ multiple missions, numerous externally imposed regulations and reporting requirements, academic traditions, and shared decision-making structures. Competencies include:
- Compliance with governmental, regulatory, professional, and accreditation agency regulations at the federal, state, and local levels
- Understanding the interrelationships among access, quality, cost, resource allocation, accountability, and community
- Socioeconomic environment in which the institution functions, e.g., market forces; workforce issues; community, state, national, and international
- Regulatory and political environment in which the institution functions, e.g., tenure; academic governance; academic freedom
- Higher education organization and key stakeholder roles, e.g., academic; research; auxiliary; athletics