National institutional accreditation
Institutional accreditation normally applies to an entire institution, indicating that each of its
parts is contributing to the achievement of an institution's objectives, although not necessarily
all on the same level of quality. The various commissions of the regional accrediting
associations, for example, perform institutional accreditation, as do some national institutional
accrediting agencies.
New hires
Persons who were hired for full-time permanent employment for the first time, or after a break in
service, between July 1st and October 31st of the survey year. These do not include persons
who have returned from sabbatical leave or full-time faculty with less than 9-month
contracts/teaching periods.
Non-degree-seeking student
A student enrolled in courses for credit who is not recognized by the institution as seeking a
degree or formal award.
Non-professional staff
Employees of an institution whose primary function or occupational activity is classified as one
of the following: technical and paraprofessional; clerical and secretarial; skilled crafts; or
service/maintenance.
Noncredit course
A course or activity having no credit applicable toward a degree, diploma, certificate, or other
formal award.
Nonresident alien
A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who is in this country on a
visa or temporary basis and does not have the right to remain indefinitely.
Normal time to completion
The amount of time necessary for a student to complete all requirements for a degree or
certificate according to the institution's catalog. This is typically 4 years (8 semesters or
trimesters, or 12 quarters, excluding summer terms) for a bachelor's degree in a standard term-based
institution; 2 years (4 semesters or trimesters, or 6 quarters, excluding summer terms)
for an associate's degree in a standard term-based institution; and the various scheduled times
for certificate programs .
Off-campus facility
A teaching facility located some distance away from the educational institution which operates
it.
Official fall reporting date
The date (in the fall) on which an institution must report fall enrollment data to either the state,
its board of trustees or governing board, or some other external governing body.
On-campus housing
Any residence halls owned or controlled by an institution within the same reasonably
contiguous geographic area and used by the institution in direct support of or in a manner
related to, the institution's educational purposes.
OPE ID
Identification number used by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary
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