Welcome to Rush University!
 Rush University is dedicated to training in the clinical and basic sciences of health care and medical research. Its four colleges, Rush Medical College, the College of Nursing, the College of Health Sciences and The Graduate College, together train over 2100 students. In addition, Rush University Medical Center trains over 600 residents and fellows in the graduate programs of clinical education for physicians. The desire to participate in the education of trainees at all levels has attracted some of the most outstanding scientists, physicians, nurses and allied health professionals in the country to Rush. Our primary interest at the Medical Center is to provide the very best in patient care. Trainees in the clinical disciplines will be prepared for the challenges that they will face by active participation in clinical care throughout most of their training. Basic scientists will work as part of those teams, and understand the immediate relevancy of their work. The many linkages of basic science programs with clinical ones often stimulate each side to creative solutions to important problems.
Rush University Medical Center is one of the nation’s leading academic health centers. I am pleased you have chosen Rush for your training. We take the responsibility seriously. At any time during your training, please feel free to contact one of your Deans or me for any suggestions or to address any issues. Training is exciting as well as challenging. All of us are here to support you.
Thanks for choosing Rush.
Larry Goodman, MD
President, Rush University;
Chief Executive Officer,
Rush University Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center Mission, Vision and Values
Mission
The mission of Rush University Medical Center is to provide the very best care for our patients. Our education and research endeavors, community service programs and relationships with other hospitals are dedicated to enhancing excellence in patient care for the diverse communities of the Chicago area now and in the future.
Vision
Rush University Medical Center will be recognized at the medical center of choice in the Chicago area and among the very best in the United States.
Core Values
“I CARE”
Innovation
Collaboration
Accountability
Respect
Excellence
History of Rush University Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center is one of Chicago’s oldest health care organizations. Its heritage extends back to 1837 when Rush Medical College was established. St. Luke’s Hospital, founded in 1864, and Presbyterian Hospital, founded in 1883, merged in 1956 to form Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital. The subsequent incorporation of these pioneer institutions in 1969 created Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center, which was renamed Rush University Medical Center in October 2003.
Rush is a not-for-profit academic medical center comprising Rush University Medical Center, Rush University, Rush Oak Park Hospital and Rush Health.
Renowned Patient Care
Rush University Medical Center encompasses a 664-bed hospital serving adults and children, including the Johnston R. Bowman Health Center, which provides medical and rehabilitative care to older adults and people with short- and long-term disabilities.
It includes Rush’s 376-bed Tower hospital building, which opened in 2012 as part of the Medical Center’s major campus renovation. Rush’s commitment to sustainability innovation earned the Tower LEED Gold certification. It is the largest new construction health care project in the world to be LEED Gold certified. Rush’s renovation also includes Rush’s Orthopedic Building, which opened in 2010, and the ongoing campus-wide implementation of an electronic medical record system, enhancing patient care and safety.
A unique combination of research and patient care has earned Rush national rankings in 9 of 16 specialty areas in U.S.News & World Report’s 2013-14 America’s Best Hospitals issue, among other recognitions of our quality of care and accreditations. Our nurses are at the forefront of our efforts to provide quality care, receiving Magnet status three times for making outstanding nursing care the standard at the Medical Center. Rush was the first hospital in Illinois serving adults and children to receive Magnet status - the highest honor in nursing - and the first in Illinois to earn a third four-year designation.
And some of the world’s best athletes trust themselves to the hands of our physicians. Rush is proud to be the preferred hospital for the Chicago Bulls.
Educating Future Health Care Providers
Rush University is home to one of the first medical colleges in the Midwest and one of the nation’s top-ranked nursing colleges, as well as graduate programs in allied health, health systems management and biomedical research. The Medical Center also offers many highly selective residency and fellowship programs in medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties. Rush’s unique practitioner-teacher model for health sciences education and research gives students the opportunity to learn from world-renowned instructors who practice what they teach.
Committed to Community
In addition to patient care, education and research, Rush maintains a strong commitment to the community. Many students, faculty and staff at Rush generously donate their time and skills both within and outside of the Medical Center. Their efforts include numerous health outreach projects in which Rush collaborates with neighborhood clinics, churches, schools and other organizations to provide health screenings and vital health information for underserved children and adults.
Our education and research endeavors, community service programs and relationships with other hospitals are dedicated to enhancing excellence in patient care for the diverse communities of the Chicago area - now and in the future.
Larry J. Goodman, MD, is CEO of Rush University Medical Center and President of Rush University. He also serves as president of the Rush System for Health, and he is the principal officer of the Rush Board of Trustees.
Rush University Mission, Vision and Values
Mission
The mission of Rush University is to teach, study and provide the highest quality health care, using a unique and multidisciplinary practitioner-teacher model for health sciences education and research, while reflecting the diversity of our communities in its programs, faculty, students and service.
Vision
Rush University will use a practitioner-teacher model to develop health care leaders who collaboratively translate and develop knowledge into outstanding health care outcomes.
Core Values
As the academic component of Rush University Medical Center, the University shares the Medical Center’s core values: innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and excellence. These I CARE values guide the efforts of Rush University students, faculty and researchers
History of Rush University
 Rush University is the academic component of Rush University Medical Center. Founded in 1972, the University has expanded from one college and fewer than 100 students to four colleges and over 2,100 students. It includes Rush Medical College, the College of Nursing, the College of Health Sciences and The Graduate College.
Rush Medical College is named for Benjamin Rush, a physician from Pennsylvania, who also signed the Declaration of Independence. Rush Medical College was chartered in 1837 and opened officially on December 4, 1843 with 22 students enrolled in a 16-week course. During the first century of operation, more than 10,000 physicians received their training at Rush Medical College. Rush Medical College was affiliated with the University of Chicago from 1898 until 1942, when the medical college temporarily suspended its educational program, though it continued its corporate existence. Its faculty continued undergraduate and graduate teaching of medicine and the biological sciences as members of the faculty of the University of Illinois. The charter of the medical college was reactivated in 1969 when it became part of the Medical Center. Rush Medical College reopened in 1971 with a class of 66 first-year students and 33 third-year students. First-year class size reached its projected maximum of 120 in 1976.
The College of Nursing represents a combined heritage dating back to the late nineteenth century when its first antecedent, the St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing, opened in 1885 to offer diploma education to nurses. In 1903, the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing accepted its first students. From 1956 to 1968 nurses were taught at the merged Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing. Before the establishment of the College of Nursing in 1972, more than 7,000 nurses had graduated from these three schools.
The College of Health Sciences, established in 1975, traces its origins to the School of Medical Technology sponsored by Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital from 1959 to 1972. This school was the second largest of its kind in the city of Chicago. During its operation, it provided a one-year professional internship program to more than 200 baccalaureate students in medical technology. Today, the College of Health Sciences offers doctoral programs in audiology and health sciences, ten programs at the master’s level and bachelor’s programs in health sciences, imaging sciences, medical laboratory science, perfusion technology, respiratory care and vascular ultrasound and technology.
The Graduate College was established as a separate academic unit in January 1981, having previously been organized as the Graduate School within the College of Health Sciences. The Graduate College is responsible for educational programs in the basic sciences and offers master’s and doctoral degrees in twelve disciplines.
The Seal of Rush University
The seal of Rush University is a shield, a classic Greek symbol of preservation and protection and also a medieval British emblem used for identification. As such, it recognizes the University’s overarching commitment to educating health professionals who preserve life and protect patients and it is the distinguishing identification of Rush University. Its two colors, green and gold, merge the tradition of the past with the custom of the present as gold was the single historical color of Rush Medical College and green is used for the modern Medical Center.
The motto, ministrare per scientiam, translated from Latin, means to minister (care for or serve) through scientific knowledge. It was adopted by the Board of Trustees in September 1993 to reflect the commitment to educate caring professionals whose practice is based in knowledge. The shadow in the background is the anchor cross, a symbol of hope and steadfastness, which became the emblem of the merged Presbyterian and St. Luke’s hospitals in 1957 and the foundation that created the vision for Rush University. Superimposed on top is the stylized version of the anchor cross that was adopted in 1971 upon the merger of Rush Medical College and Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital. The final elements are Chicago, the city that is home to the University, and the date of the University’s founding, 1972. The Rush University Board of Overseers adopted the seal in 1999.
Student Characteristics
Statistics below are based on Fall 2014 enrollment figures.
|
Fall 2014 Enrollment
|
Men
|
Women
|
Total
|
| Rush Medical College |
253 |
257 |
510 |
| College of Nursing |
120 |
929 |
1049 |
| College of Health Sciences |
175 |
500 |
675 |
| The Graduate College |
112 |
111 |
223 |
| Grand Total |
|
|
2457 |
|
Students by Race and Ethnicity
|
Total
|
| American Indian or Alaska Native |
6 |
| Asian |
337 |
| Black or African American |
159 |
| Hispanic |
128 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders |
3 |
| White |
1645 |
| Two or More Races |
29 |
| Unknown |
82 |
| Grand Total |
2457 |
| Student Financial Aid Data |
% |
| Title IV Aid Recipients (total student body): |
56% |
| Pell Grant Recipients (undergraduates only): |
35% |
Accreditation, Authorization and Licenses
Rush University
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
230 S. LaSalle St, Suite 7-500
Chicago, IL 60604
(800) 621-7440
http://www.ncahlc.org
Rush Medical College
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)
515 N. State St, Suite 1801
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 527-9200
http://www.accme.org
Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)
515 N. State St, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 755-5000
http://www.acgme.org
American Medical Association (AMA)
330 N. Wabash Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
(800) 621-8335
http://www.ama-assn.org
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC)
2450 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 828-0400
http://www.aamc.org
Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
2450 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 828-0596
http://www.lcme.org
College of Nursing
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
One DuPont Circle NW, Suite 530
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 463-6930
http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Accreditation
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs
222 Prospect Ave, Suite 304
Park Ridge, IL 60068
(847) 692-7050
http://www.aana.com
College of Health Sciences
Department of Clinical Nutrition
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000
Chicago, IL 60606-6995
(312) 899-0040 ext. 5400
http://www.eatright.org
Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences
Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA)
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
2200 Research Boulevard, Mail Stop 310
Rockville, MD 20850-3289
(800) 498-2071
http://www.asha.org/academic/accreditation/CAA_overview.htm
Department of Health Systems Management
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
1700 Rockville Pike
Suite 400
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 998-6101
http://www.cahme.org
Department of Medical Laboratory Science
BS and MS programs: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N. River Rd.
Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
(773) 714-8880
(773) 714-8886 (Fax)
http://www.naacls.org
Specialist in Blood Bank certificate program:
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
1361 Park St
Clearwater, FL 33756
(727) 210-2350
(727) 210-2354 (Fax)
http://www.caahep.org
Department of Medical Physics
Commission on Accreditation of Medical Physics Education Programs, Inc. (CAMPEP)
One Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740
(301) 209-3346
Fax 301-209-0862
http://www.campep.org
Department of Occupational Therapy
ACOTE c/o Accreditation Department American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
4720 Montgomery Lane, Suite 200
Bethesda, MD 20814-3449
(301) 652-2682
(301) 652-1417 (Fax)
http://www.acoteonline.org
Perfusion Technology
Accreditation Committee - Perfusion Education (A committee on accreditation for CAAHEP)
6663 South Sycamore Street
Littleton, Colorado 80120
(303) 794-6283
(303) 738-3223 (Fax)
http://www.ac-pe.org
Physician Assistant Studies
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc (ARC-PA)
12000 Findley Road, Suite 150
Johns Creek, GA, 30097
(770) 476-1224
Fax: (770) 476-1738
http://www.arc-pa.org
Department of Religion, Health and Human Values
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, Inc. (ACPE)
1549 Clairmont Rd, Suite 103
Decatur, GA 30033
(404) 320-1472
(404) 320-0849 (Fax)
http://www.acpe.edu
Department of Respiratory Care
Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)
1248 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX 76021-4244
(817) 283-2835
FAX: (817) 354-8519
http://www.coarc.com
Department of Vascular Ultrasound and Technology
Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRCDMS) (A committee on accreditation for CAAHEP)
6021 University Boulevard, Suite 500
Ellicott City, MD 21043
(443) 973-3251
(866) 738-3444 (Fax)
www.jrcdms.org
Authorization
The Illinois Board of Higher Education has authorized all degree programs offered through Rush University.
Illinois Board of Higher Education
431 East Adams, 2nd Floor
Springfield, IL 62701-1404
(317) 782-2551
Fax: (217) 782-8548
http://www.ibhe.state.il.us
Licenses
State of Illinois
Department of Public Health
Cook County Board of Health
Rush University Medical Center Memberships
Rush University Medical Center belongs to the following organizations:
Association of American Medical Colleges
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities
Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions
Association of University Programs in Health Administration
National League for Nursing
Association for Health Services Research
American Hospital Association
Illinois Hospital Association
Voluntary Hospitals of America
Metropolitan Chicago Health Care Council
Blue Cross/Blue Shield Health Care Service Corp.
Council of Graduate Schools
Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools
Illinois Association of Graduate Schools
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
Association of Bioethics Program Directors
Council of Academic Programs in Communication Disorders and Sciences
Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Science
Physician Assistant Education Association
Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants
American Academy of Physician Assistants
Rush University Affiliated Colleges and Universities
The following 22 colleges and universities in four states have programs that are affiliated with one or more academic program at Rush University:
Benedictine University, Lisle, IL
Benedictine University, Springfield, IL
Carleton College, Northfield, MN
Carthage College, Kenosha, WI
Concordia University, River Forest, IL
Cornell College, Mount Vernon, IA
DePaul University, Chicago, IL
Dominican University, River Forest, IL
Hebrew Theological College, Skokie, IL
Illinois College, Jacksonville, IL
Knox College, Galesburg, IL
Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL
Lawrence University, Appleton, WI
Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
Macalester College, St. Paul, MN
Monmouth College, Monmouth, IL
North Central College, Naperville, IL
Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago, IL
Ripon College, Ripon, WI
Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL
Spelman College, Atlanta, GA
Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL
Alumni Relations
The Office of Alumni Relations is located in the Triangle Office Building, Suite 250, at 1700 W. Van Buren St. Alumni Relations provides a planned, coordinated program of service and activities of mutual interest and benefit to Rush University, the Medical Center and all alumni. Although the legacy of a Rush education dates back to 1837, Rush University is a relatively young institution. Since the University’s inception in 1972, it has conferred more than 18,000 degrees in the health professions. The objective of the Office of Alumni Relations is to provide channels for Rush Medical College, the College of Nursing, the College of Health Sciences, The Graduate College and our predecessor school alumni as well as former Medical Center house staff to stay connected to Rush as follows:
- Remain informed of current developments at the Medical Center
- Develop an active interest in and involvement with their alma mater
- Maintain contact with fellow alumni and faculty
- Take advantage of continuing education opportunities offered through Rush University
- Respond positively through both financial and philosophical support
- Promote and perpetuate the high standards of excellence in patient care, education and scientific advancement consistent with the objectives of Rush University Medical Center
At this time, the following formally organized active alumni associations exist for Rush University graduates:
- The Rush Medical College Alumni Association
- The Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Nurses Alumni Association
- Rush University Communication Disorders and Sciences Alumni Association
- Rush University Health Systems Management Alumni Association (HSMAA)
- Rush University Occupational Therapy Alumni Association
- Alumni Association of the Graduate College at Rush University
- Rush Surgical Society (Alumni Association for Rush-Trained Surgeons)
- Medical Society (Rush Internal Medicine Alumni Association)
For more information concerning Rush University alumni associations, programs and events, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (312) 942-2569 or alumni@rush.edu or visit the alumni websites at www.rushu.rush.edu/alumni.
Drug Free Campus and Workplace
Rush University Medical Center is committed to achieving and maintaining a drug-free campus and workplace. The Medical Center has established a drug-free policy consistent with its commitment and goals. The policy states in part:
The illegal manufacture, distribution, dispensing, use, sale and/ or possession of controlled substances on Medical Center property or while performing Medical Center business is strictly prohibited. An employee or student engaged in any such conduct will be subject to discipline up to and including expulsion or termination. In addition, students and employees are subject to all applicable criminal penalties under local, state or federal law for unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol. Within five days of the conviction, employees and students must report to the Medical Center any conviction for violation of a criminal drug statute occurring within the Medical Center. The health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol are many and varied. Some drugs may cause psychological and physical dependence or addiction. Others attack the central nervous system, making the user dangerous to himself and others. In the extreme, they can result in convulsions, psychosis, coma and possible death.
Tobacco-Free Work Environment
Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) supports the surgeon general’s report on use of tobacco products as a major cause of preventable death. Tobacco use has been documented to contribute significantly to health problems of those who engage in the practice, and those who are subjected to an environment where smoke is present.
Rush University Medical Center (RUMC) to be consistent with its mission, seeks to promote the health, safety and quality of life of all people who come to the Rush Campus.
Diversity, Equal Opportunity and Inclusion
For over three decades, the Rush approach to equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion has not wavered. Our approach is that these are essential components of the best employment, educational and health care practices and must be furthered. This is a continuation of a policy that emanated from the hospital charters of 1865 and 1883 and the documents governing the establishment of Rush University in 1972.
In certain instances, the implementation of this policy and our goals in this area require the use of affirmative initiatives. At Rush, these initiatives are focused on strong recruitment, development and retention efforts, not on quotas - and these recruitment and programming efforts will be continued, consistent with federal, state and municipal guidelines.
Rush University is committed to attracting students who will enable the student body to achieve the educational benefits of diversity and to providing services to all students, faculty and other employees on a nondiscriminatory, equitable basis.
Discrimination or harassment against any member of the Rush University Medical Center community because of age, ancestry, color, disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, gender, gender identity and/or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or any other category protected by federal or state law is prohibited and will not be tolerated, nor will any person for those reasons be excluded from the participation in or denied the benefits of any program or activity within Rush University.
Shanon Shumpert, Director, Employee Relations and Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, has been designated to oversee the implementation of this policy for Rush University. Ms. Shumpert can be contacted by telephone at (312) 942-5239 or via email at Shanon_Shumpert@rush.edu
Additional resources may be found in Human Resources along with the following university individuals/offices:
LeManuel Lee Bitsoi, EdM, EdD
Director, Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs
Armour Academic Center 984B
(312) 942.0725
lee_bitsoi@rush.edu
Paula J. Brown, MBA
Manager, Equal Opportunity Programs
Rush University Medical Center
128 Professional Office Building
(312) 942-7094
Paula_J_Brown@rush.edu
Disability Rights
Rush University provides reasonable accommodations to all students on a nondiscriminatory basis consistent with legal requirements as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and applicable implementing regulations of these statutes. A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to an instructional activity, facility, program or service that enables a qualified student with a disability to have an equal opportunity to participate in all Rush University student activities.
To be eligible for accommodations, a student must have a documented disability as defined by the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Both the ADA and Section 504 define disability as (a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; (b) a record of such impairment; or (c) being regarded as having such a condition. For information to request accommodation(s), please contact your college representative listed below. Please do not make requests for accommodation(s) to individual faculty members, lectures or course directors.
In keeping with its goal to promote diversity among its student population, Rush University is committed to attracting and educating students who will help to make the population of health care professionals representative of the national population, including students with disabilities. In addition, Rush University wishes to insure that access to its facilities, programs and services are available to students with disabilities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to all students on a nondiscriminatory basis consistent with legal requirements as outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The American Disabilities Amendment Act of 2008, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Rush University Student Disability Assessment Team (RUSDAT)
Rush Medical College - Paul Severin, M.D. (312) 942-6194
College of Nursing - Sarah H. Ailey, Ph.D., R.N., PHCNS-SC (312) 942-3383
College of Health Sciences - Joanne Schupbach, M.S., M.A. (312) 942-3676
The Graduate College - James M. Williams, Ph.D. (312) 942-3598
Office of the Associate Provost Student Affairs - Gayle B. Ward, J.D. (312) 942-2819
Additional information can be found at:
http://www.rushu.rush.edu/catalog/aboutrush/disabilityrights.html
For disability-related assistance, questions, or concerns, contact:
Paula J. Brown, Manager
Equal Opportunity Programs
Office for Equal Opportunity
Rush University Medical Center
1725 W. Harrison Street, Suite 128
Chicago, IL 60612
Tel. 312-942-7094
Fax. 312-942-4283
Email. Paula_J_Brown@rush.edu
Harassment: Policies and Procedures
The Policies and Procedures on Sexual and Other Harassment for the University and nonacademic sectors of the institution are intended to increase the awareness of Rush’s long-standing commitment to preventing harassment and to focus on the internal resolution of any complaints. Under these policies and procedures, the more familiar category of sexual harassment as well as harassment related to age, ancestry, color, disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, gender, gender identity and/ or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, or any other category protected by federal or state law is prohibited. The provisions include protections for and prohibit retaliation against an individual making a complaint or supplying information about a complaint. They also incorporate protections for a person who considers himself or herself accused in bad faith. While all administrators and supervisors have responsibility under this document, certain people have been specifically designated to deal with concerns and complaints that might come forward.
Inquiries or complaints of harassment from students, residents, or faculty members will be handled through the Office for Equal Opportunity by contacting Paula J. Brown, Manager, Equal Opportunity Programs, at (312) 942-7094, by mail (128 Professional Office Building), or via email at Paula_J_Brown@rush.edu.
Copies of the Policies and Procedures are available from the Office for Equal Opportunity and are on the Rush Intranet.
Office of Institutional Research, Assessment and Accreditation
The Office of Institutional Research, Assessment and Accreditation (OIRAA) serves Rush University by providing accurate and reliable data in support of planning, policy making, academic assessment and program reviews, in accordance with the institution’s mission and strategic goals. The OIRAA fulfills its mission by:
- Providing comprehensive information to support institutional planning, policy formation, decision-making and evaluation of effectiveness
- Coordinating responses to external accountability mandates and a wide range of internal and external requests for information about the university
- Coordinating campus-wide and unit-level assessment of academic programs and administrative processes to support the University’s quality improvement efforts
- Providing evidence of institutional effectiveness
The office provides services in three major areas:
External Reporting
The OIRAA has primary responsibility for preparing and submitting official reports and data files to ensure the University’s compliance with state and federal reporting mandates. In addition, the office coordinates the University’s response to a variety of other external requests for information that are received from internal and external stakeholders. Mandatory external reports and updates:
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
- Illinois Longitudinal Data System (ILDS)
- Higher Learning Commission Annual Institutional Data Update (HLC/AIDU)
- Illinois Virtual Campus (IVC)
- Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE)
Planning Support and Internal Reports
The OIRAA is charged with compiling, analyzing and interpreting statistical data used in strategic planning efforts by University administrators, trustees and committees. These data include:
- Student and faculty characteristics
- Enrollment
- Admissions
- Retention and graduation rates
- Degrees awarded
- Credit hour production
- Alumni performance
- Scholarship/research productivity
- Strategic planning and institutional performance metrics
The information is disseminated to the University community through annual reports, websites and responses to ad hoc requests.
Institutional Effectiveness
The OIRAA is responsible for coordinating campus-wide and unit-level assessment of academic programs and administrative processes to support the University’s quality improvement efforts. These activities include:
- Gathering and presenting institutional performance data
- Administering Rush University and other surveys
- Providing technical support and consultation to assist units in assessing student learning outcomes and administrative objectives
- Conducting special studies to evaluate the University’s progress in achieving strategic goals
- Coordinating accreditation activities
- Supporting the University Assessment Committee in its assessment activities and program reviews
- Supporting and monitoring the HLC mandated quality improvement project
Contact the OIRAA staff at OIRAA_@rush.edu.
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