2005 HLC Self-Study Steering Committee
Review of February 24, 2005 Meeting

Members Present: Barbara Bushman, John Catau, Bill Cheek, Tom Dicke, Frank Einhellig, Sue George, Tammy Jahnke, Martha Kirker, Etta Madden, Victor Matthews, Pete Richardson, Roger Sell, Don Simpson, and GA Linda Rogers.

The steering committee met at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, January 24^th at the ADC Office.

Bill announced that the summaries of the college reports reflected an over-all dissatisfaction with using a format based on answering the charges item by item. The committee has discussed using the cross-cutting themes as a basis for the final report, but the time has come to make a definite decision on how we will present our information.

Discussion followed on how to decide which examples to include and how to include them. There is so much evidence to choose from, much of it will be summarized in general statements as to its existence, (e.g.: "90% of the departments have policies in place"), with specific, unique examples pulled out and bulleted to illustrate the point. We will provide links to as much of the information as possible, so that the committee can check at will on the supporting evidence that is in place. The committee should be sorting examples of evidence now and making note of the best examples.

Synthesizing our narrative, the examples of evidence, and our concerns into a final report incorporating the four cross-cutting themes is seen as the best way to go, though it won’t be the easiest. A simple listing of criteria would be quicker and easier, but would not create as readable or useable report. The themes can be addressed in any order, and a rough outline of the final report might include a discussion of the Distinctive Organization to introduce the report, and a return to that theme to wrap things up during the conclusion. To enhance readability, discussions on our concerns and strengths could be placed at the end of each theme rather than listing them all at one spot in the report.

During the next week, the editing committee, consisting of Bill, Martha, Vic, Etta, and Linda, will be starting on a stand-alone report addressing the HLC’s concerns and suggestions from the last visit. This report may be incorporated into this year’s final report, or it may be included in an appendix.

Committee members were assigned five reports to read before the next week’s meeting, keeping in mind the themes as well as the criteria. While they don’t need to write summaries at this time, they should note specific items of evidence worthy of note, as well as any concerns they have while reading the reports. Bill will send out these reports later in the day:

The next meeting will be 9:30 a.m., Thursday, February 24th at the ADC office.

Respectfully submitted,
Linda Chadwick-Rogers