The Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, with the aim of promoting the culture of quality at the university, according to its strategic objectives and in line with its statutes, has established the Commission for the Promotion of Quality (CPQ). This is a permanent advisory body to the Rector's Council, whose task is to oversee the process of self-evaluation of the different bodies operating at the Santa Croce.
1. The CPQ’s Mission
The mission of the Commission for the Promotion of Quality (CPQ) is twofold:
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To foster, on the part of faculty, students, and administrative staff, an ongoing commitment to improve the quality of the service provided by shaping ways of working, thinking, and developing each endeavor;
- To stimulate, in the entire academic community, a certain interest and greater involvement in the mission and the strategic objectives of the university, so that the Santa Croce may be a place of dialogue and a center of reflection on the needs of the Church and society.
The main tool with which to pursue the university's quality policies are periodic evaluations, with a focus on the university's strategic horizons.
2. Objectives of Quality Policies
In its advisory and service work, the CPQ will focus on these areas:
OB. 1 - Research Quality:
- Stimulate faculty members' personal research and encourage them to publish; encourage the creation of research projects with colleagues both from the university and other universities; promote conferences, refresher courses, and other events of special interest and academic value; ensure that faculty journals meet excellent standards;
- Facilitate the membership of every faculty member in at least one research group; the same for young researchers/assistants and doctoral students;
- Heighten the level of doctoral dissertations and promote "post-doctoral" specialization programs dedicated to young people;
- Promote the increase of library holdings and library services necessary to meet the needs of different areas of research.
OB. 2 - Quality of Teaching/Formation:
- Involve students more in educational courses, encouraging them in their commitment to their studies and cultural and scientific development;
- Strengthen the service aspect of university life within priests, seminarians, religious, and laity at our school, as their lives require;
- Create a space for dialogue in each course or program and also physically on campus;
- Bolster collaborations with other universities and educational programs in order to initiate processes of interaction with civil society (third mission).
OB. 3 - Quality of Logistics:
When it comes to logistics, the CPQ's attention will focus on the following services:
- Reception desks (“Portinerie”): the place of initial contact and first impression of "what the university is" to those who walk through its doors;
- Cafeteria (“Mensa”): essential service and place for dialogue, strengthening relationships, and stimulating creativity;
- Library (“Biblioteca”): irreplaceable service for studying and research;
- Classrooms (“Aule”): an environment where most hours dedicated to teaching are spent.
OB. 4 - Involvement of Non-Teaching Staff:
- Foster greater employee participation and sharing in quality policies;
3. Quality Assessment
The quality assessment process, in accordance with the principles outlined above, is carried out in phases of verification and improvement, which are bolstered by analyses performed regularly by the Commission for the Promotion of Quality.
The phases are semi-annual, annual, and every five years. There is also a continuous collection of opinions and suggestions from students, faculty, non-teaching staff, and alumni. Their implementation takes into account the guidelines of the university's strategic plan.
Rome, October 2022
A.A. 2022-2023 - Progetto di realizzazione del RAV (Rapporto di AutoValutazione) - FASI
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