2005 HLC Self-Study Steering Committee
Review of August 25, 2005 Meeting

Members present: Bill Cheek, Pete Richardson, Victor Matthews, Jim Baker, John Catau, Frank Einhellig, Roger Sell, Sue George, Etta Madden, Barbara Bushman, Tammy Jahnke, Martha Kirker, Don Simpson, Tom Dicke

Committee members received the latest draft of the self-study this week from Linda and Etta. It has also been sent to Sara Clark and copies will be made for the library, Board of Governors, Administrative Council and Academic Council.

The server will be down all weekend. Sara Clark has said that when the name change information work is completed our self-study links should be still all working. We will need to check to ensure all changes have been made and everything is still working.

Executive Summary

This was sent out to everyone this week. The format can change and please provide any editing information to Vic for inclusion and further review.

Critical Issues in Self-Study

Discussion occurred about the committee’s collective views concerning the critical issues to be included in the executive summary and concluding section of the Self-Study. This section of the report will need to start with some explanatory text to possibly include the following: *using language such as “we are continuing to improve…” *the fact that there is a process in place to do much of what is being suggested *we need to bridge the disconnect between these issues and reality *there is an understanding that with the name change expectations will change

Critical issues discussed (some combination and “rewording” on note takers part) 1. Improvement of communication between administration and faculty and staff 2. Quality of academic programs 3. Move toward more graduate programs (and subsequent time commitment) and increased research expectations while maintaining high quality of undergraduate programs. 4. Funding (more students does not equal more resources) 5. Assessment and improving application of assessment results 6. Graduate follow up 7. More underlying structure to support new programs 8. New administrative information management system may cause chaos. 9. Coping with the challenges of technology. 10. Upgrading of facilities 11. Mission as it related to program review and assessment. 12. Budget—making the process more streamlined and open 13. Diversity –faculty, students, staff, curriculum 14. Environment—planning process, professional development, mentoring 15. Curricular changes—more streamlined 16. focus on endowed funds for faculty chairs and scholarships 17. revamped faculty reward system

Title

There was discussion on possible titles for the self-study but no decision made yet. Final decision will be made at the next meeting.

Assignments

Read the latest draft with particular attention to the end of each chapter (strengths, challenges and recommendations) and see if they need to be combined, eliminated, or moved.

Print and correct any pages that have editing changes.

Announcement

Chris Nagle from University Communications will be doing some filming of HLC meeting next Thursday September 1st.