QEP Development Team
UNA SACS Reaffirmation
Meeting Notes
May 5, 2011
GUC Loft
1:00 p.m.
Members Present: Phil Bridgmon, Rob Koch, Linda Lewis, Chris Maynard, Lisa Minor, Celia Reynolds, Jennifer Smith, and Molly Vaughn.
Chairman Phil Bridgmon called the meeting to order in the Loft of the Guillot University Center at approximately 1:05 p.m.
Dr. Bridgmon distributed a revised copy of the proposed budget for the Quality Enhancement Plan. The revision (as of May 5, 2011) holds the budget to just under $400,000. The draft has been reviewed by the SACS Leadership Team and has been presented to the Strategic Planning and Budget Study Committee for endorsement. Dr. Bridgmon is scheduled to meet with the SPBS Committee during its next meeting to address questions regarding the budget. Dr. Bridgmon pointed out specific aspects of the proposed budget:
· The anticipated Center for Learning Excellence will not be “rolled out” until the third year of the QEP.
· Initially a director for the QEP will be hired with the potential for that individual to eventually assume leadership of the Center for Learning Excellence.
· About a third of the new money within the budget will be devoted to development for faculty, staff, and students.
· The proposed budget appears to be sustainable and is intended to make the best use of available resources.
· There may be a possibility of attaching graduate assistant support to the QEP.
· The QEP Director position will report to Dr. Thomas Calhoun, Associate Vice President for Academic Support.
Dr. Bridgmon reported on the April 20th faculty and student development workshop focused on instructional techniques for today’s learners. The workshop, presented by Dr. Mark Taylor, set the stage for introducing new pedagogy ideas to the campus. It is anticipated that Dr. Mark Taylor, or similar presenters, will come to campus in the future to further implementation of updated teaching techniques.
Dr. Bridgmon reported a list of five possibilities for the lead QEP evaluator to serve as part of the on-site evaluation committee. His top two recommendations are Dr. Beverly Moon, Dean of Assessment and Planning/Associate Provost at Delta State University, and Dr. Bill Condon, Director of Washington State University Writing Programs. Ms. Reynolds will check with UNA’s SACS liaison, Dr. Marcy Stoll, to determine appropriate protocol for contacting potential QEP Lead Evaluators to determine interest and availability.
Dr. Bridgmon announced that there will be a videoconference on the morning of July 27, 2011, with our SACS VP, Dr. Marcy Stoll. The focus of the conference will be the Quality Enhancement Plan. Dr. Bridgmon expects to have a draft of the QEP document completed by July 1 to allow time for Dr. Stoll to review it before the videoconference. Members of the QEP Development Team and the QEP Implementation Working Group are encouraged to attend this session.
Dr. Chris Maynard reported on the efforts of the QEP Implementation Working Group. The group developed an assessment form patterned on the general education forms used previously by academic department chairs. Members of the group are meeting individually with departments/department chairs to finalize the forms and address any questions. The target date for academic department forms to be finalized is June 30. It is hoped that a QEP director will be in place in time to review the drafts of the departmental plans (prior to the fall semester), to discuss issues, and to make adjustments. It is anticipated that drafts of plans from each department will be posted on the University’s website.
Dr. Bridgmon indicated his desire that the QEP Director be selected soon. He anticipates an internal job posting, for a relatively short period, with applications to be screened by a committee that will make recommendations to Dr. Calhoun (to whom the position will report). Dr. Bridgmon is compiling a job description.
Additional issues discussed included the following:
· Process for hiring the QEP Director
· Avenues of marketing the QEP through the SOAR program
· Representation at the SACS Summer Institute (in Ft. Worth, TX) by Dr. Rob Koch
· Role of the OIRPA in assessment of the QEP
· Goals to accomplish over the summer
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 1:50 p.m.