SACS REAFFIRMATION OF ACCREDITATION

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

May 10, 2002

Attendance:

Michael Hummel (p) Jackie Robinson (p)

Keith Blundell (p) Jerry Scheerer (p)

Peggy Brockenbush (p) Joe Sekul (p)

Marty Domke (p) Fred Spaulding (p)

Larry Garrett (p) Marjorie Stewart (p)

Gary Hall (p) Jennifer Yancey (p)

Mary Hall (p) Mark Zafereo (p)

Mark Henry (p)

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 10:08 a.m.

Review Editing Problems and Decisions: G. Hall reminded everyone to save their drafts in the correct draft folders with the date the draft was created.

Critique of Subsection IV.5; .8; VI: The Committee reviewed all of Subsection IV.5. The majority of the feedback was on content and changes to Recommendations. The Recommendation changes follow.

q Recommendation 4.5 A: That Victoria College establish formal goals for distance education that support the stated purpose of the College.

Change to: That Victoria College’s goal for distance education that supports the stated purpose of the College be included in the Institutional Effectiveness Plan and also include…

q Recommendation 4.5 B: That the process used for evaluating the effectiveness of distance learning programs include an overall evaluation of the appropriate use of technology in online and ITV courses.

Change: Add to first recommendation.

q Recommendation 4.5 B: That the new Victoria College Copyright Policy replace the Distance Education Interim Policy in the Employee Handbook.

Change: Delete.

q Recommendation 4.5 B: That the College develop a means to link student scores on self-assessment questionnaires to course registration and recruitment information.

Change to: That Distance Education consider some means of assessing student capacity to succeed in taking distance courses.

q Recommendation 4.5 B: That the College compares student satisfaction, learning outcomes, and retention of distance learners to students receiving traditional classroom instruction.

Change: Add…on a continuing basis and uses the information to ensure comparability.

q Recommendation 4.5 B: That the evaluation of distance learning programs addresses the integrity of online courses in light of the most recent update of the Principles of Good Practice for Academic Degree and Certificate Programs and Credit Courses Offered Electronically.

Change: Delete Principles of Good…and instead, cite the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education and give a date.

q Recommendation 4.5 B: That the College formulate a long-range plan for distance education.

Change: Delete, because the first recommendation will also accomplish this.

The Committee then critiqued Subsections IV.8.1 – IV.8.4. Most of the comments were to delete parts of the narrative and some tables. The following Recommendation changes were made:

q Recommendation 4.8.1 D: That The Victoria College Employee Handbook be revised to reflect that the College does not hire faculty members whose highest degree is from a non-regionally accredited institution within the United States.

Change: Delete.

q Add 4.8.1 A: That the composition of the Search Committee for a division include a majority of its members from that division.

q Recommendation 4.8.3 B: That the College establish a policy ensuring that the number of adjunct faculty members be properly limited.

Change: Delete.

q Add 4.8.3 E: That an adjunct orientation be added for spring semester.

Revision of Critiquing Schedule: The Committee will resume with Subsection 4.8.5 in Monday’s meeting; and if time allows, move on to Subsection 4.2.4. Tuesday’s meeting on May 14^th will cover Subsection 4.2.4.

Hummel asked for all to inform Boyd of availability for June for scheduling and Hummel will then create a revised schedule and notify the Committee.

Other Business: None.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m.