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Name of Unit:
Outreach and Extended Studies |
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Date:
August 30, 2004 |
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Section 2: CORE REQUIREMENTS |
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2.1
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The institution has degree-granting authority from the
appropriate government agency or agencies.
(Degree-granting Authority) |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.2
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The institution has a governing board of at least five members
that is the legal body with specific authority over the
institution. The board is an active policy-making body for the
institution and is
ultimately responsible for ensuring that the
financial resources of the institution are adequate to provide a
sound educational program. The board is not controlled by a
minority of board members or
by organizations or interests
separate from it. Neither the presiding officer of the board nor
the majority of other voting members of the board have
contractual, employment, or personal or familial
financial
interest in the institution.
A military institution authorized
and operated by the federal government to award degrees has a
public board in which neither the presiding officer nor a
majority
of the other members are civilian employees of the
military or active/retired military. The board has broad and
significant influence upon the institution’s programs and
operations, plays an active role in
policy-making, and ensures
that the financial resources of the institution are used to
provide a sound educational program. The board is not controlled
by a minority of board members or by organizations
or interests
separate from the board except as specified by the authorizing
legislation. Neither the presiding officer of the board nor the
majority of other voting board members have contractual,
employment, or personal or familial financial interest in the
institution. (Governing Board)
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.3 |
The institution has a chief executive officer whose primary
responsibility is to the institution and who is not the
presiding officer of the board. (Chief Executive
Officer) |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.4
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The institution has a clearly defined and published mission
statement specific to the institution and appropriate to an
institution of higher education, addressing teaching and
learning and, where applicable, research and public service.
(Institutional Mission) |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.5
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The institution engages in
ongoing, integrated, and institution-wide research-based
planning and evaluation processes that incorporate a systematic
review of programs and services that (a)
results in continuing
improvement and (b) demonstrates that the institution is
effectively accomplishing its mission.
(Institutional
Effectiveness) |
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Outreach and Extended Studies (OES) is in compliance with this
requirement. |
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i. |
OES participates in the ongoing,
integrated TTU-wide research-based planning and evaluation process, also
known as the TTU strategic plan. The strategic plan for OES may be found
at:
http://www.dce.ttu.edu/STRATEGIC%20PLAN.pdf.
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ii. |
These
and other data are reviewed systematically and result in
continuing improvement; see for example the strategic plan
assessment report for 2002 and 2003, which may be accessed at
www.dce.ttu.edu/OES%202002%20Assessment%20Report.pdf
and
http://www.irs.ttu.edu/SACS/AssessmentReports/40_0_2003.pdf
respectively. Additionally, program and course enrollments are
reviewed and evaluated on a regular basis to assist in program
planning. The learning objectives and assessments for courses
and degree programs through OES are the responsibility of the
faculty within the respective academic area.
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iii. |
Approximately
80-90% of the students enrolled in courses through OES complete a
course evaluation form. Forms are reviewed by OES to ensure
that any curricular or instructional issues may be addressed.
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iv. |
Additionally, TTU participates in the U.S.
Department of Education Demonstration Program for Distance
Learning. One element of this program involved participating in
the ED annual Distance Education Survey. In the fall of 2002,
Texas Tech University surveyed 3,682 students and received 927
survey responses, yielding a 24.80% response rate for students
enrolled in both print-based and electronic distance learning
courses and a 36% response rate for students enrolled in a
distance learning program. This survey included students
enrolled in courses through OES. The response rate from 2001
was 17.80% for students enrolled in distance learning courses
and 23.70% for students enrolled in distance learning
programs. For additional information about the survey and the
results, see pages 41-43 of the Texas Tech University
Institutional Plan for Distance Education and Off-Campus
Instruction, at
http://www.irim.ttu.edu/SACS/TTUInstitutionalPlanfinal.pdf,
or at
http://www.de.ttu.edu/content/pdf/TTU%20Institutional%20Plan%20final.pdf.
(this link requires Adobe Acrobat Reader version 6.0 or higher.) |
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Administrative And
Educational Support Services |
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i. |
The Vice Provost and
Directors assess the administrative and educational support
services on an on-going basis in accordance with strategic
initiatives. Corrections are made as necessary to improve the
operations of the Division. For example, recent improvements
include the simplification of how instructor pay per lesson is
calculated, the implementation of new policies concerning lesson
resubmissions and re-grades, enhancements in the processing
of incoming revenues for enrollments,
document imaging of student and other records, enhanced print
and copy services, and interactive Web-based registration.
. |
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2.6 |
The institution is in
operation and has students enrolled in degree programs.
(Continuous Operation) |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.7 |
The institution |
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2.7.1 |
offers one or
more degree programs based on at least 60 semester credit hours or
the equivalent at the associate level; at least 120 semester credit
hours or the equivalent at the baccalaureate level; or at least 30
semester credit hours or the equivalent at the
post-baccalaureate, graduate, or professional level. The institution
provides a written justification and rationale for program
equivalency. (Program Length) |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.7.2 |
offers degree programs that embody a coherent
course of study that is compatible with its stated purpose and
is based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education.
(Program Content) |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.7.3 |
requires in each undergraduate degree program
the successful completion
of a general education component at the collegiate level that is
(1) a substantial component of each undergraduate degree, (2)
ensures breadth of knowledge, and (3) is based on a coherent
rationale. For degree completion in
associate programs, the component constitutes a minimum of 15
semester hours or the equivalent; for baccalaureate programs, a
minimum of 30 semester
hours or the equivalent. These credit
hours are to be drawn from and include at least one course from
each of the following areas: humanities/fine arts;
social/behavioral sciences; and natural
science/mathematics. The
courses do not narrowly focus on those skills, techniques, and
procedures specific to a particular occupation or profession.
The institution provides a written
justification and rationale
for course equivalency. (General Education) |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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2.7.4 |
provides instruction for all course work
required for at least one degree program at each
level at which if awards degree. If the institution
makes arrangements for some
instruction to be provided
by other accredited institutions or entities through contracts
or consortia, or
uses some
other alternative approach to meeting this requirement, the
alternative approach must be approved by the Commission on
Colleges. In all cases, the institution demonstrates that
it controls all aspects of its educational program.
(Contractual Agreements for
Instruction) |
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These standards are not applicable to OES.
OES is not a degree-granting entity. OES
does administer a distance learning degree program for the
College of Arts and Sciences;
however, the responsibility for the
quality, content, and evaluation of the degree program resides
with the program faculty and the college.
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2.8 |
The number of full-time faculty members is
adequate to support the mission of the institution. The
institution has adequate faculty resources to ensure the quality
and integrity of its academic
programs. In addition, upon
application for candidacy, an applicant institution demonstrates
that it meets the comprehensive standard for faculty
qualifications.
(Faculty) |
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OES is in
compliance with this requirement.
Faculty who
teach independent study courses through OES are TTU faculty or
instructors approved by the academic department for which they
are teaching. These individuals do not hold faculty
appointments through OES, but through the academic department.
All faculty teaching through OES are approved by
the respective academic department, which reviews and assures
their qualifications. |
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2.9. |
The institution, through ownership or formal
arrangements or agreements, provides and supports student and
faculty access and user privileges to adequate library
collections as well as to other
learning/information resources
consistent with the degrees offered. These collections and
resources are sufficient to support all its educational,
research, and public service programs. (Learning
Resources and Services) |
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OES is in compliance with this requirement.
The library holdings are sufficient to support the independent
study course offerings, all of which are part of the regular
academic programs. |
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| 2.10 |
The institution provides student support
programs, services, and activities consistent with its mission
that promote student learning and enhance the development of its
students. (Student Support Services) |
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OES is in compliance with this requirement.
Since OES does not offer any degrees, it provides student
services commensurate with the type of courses offered through
the Division. OES provides the following:
- Student Service Representatives
- Financial resources staff
- Advisors for students in external BGS
Additionally, college students enrolled through OES have access
to the university libraries, and students enrolled in online
courses also have access to the technical support services
offered by the Information Technology Division. Students who
meet applicable eligibility criteria may apply for financial aid
as well.
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| 2.11 |
The institution has a sound
financial base and demonstrated financial stability, and
adequate physical resources to support the mission of the
institution and the scope of its programs and services.
The
member institution provides the following financial statements: (a)
an institutional audit (or Standard Review Report issued in
accordance with Statements on Standards for Accounting and
Review Services issued by the AICPA for those institutions
audited as part of a systemwide or
statewide audit) and written institutional management letter for the most recent
fiscal year
prepared by an independent certified public
accountant and/or an appropriate governmental auditing agency employing the
appropriate audit (or Standard Review Report) guide; (b) a
statement of financial position of unrestricted net assets,
exclusive of plant assets and plant-related debt, which
represents the change in unrestricted net assets attributable to
operations for
the most recent year; and, (c) an annual budget
that is preceded by sound planning, is subject to sound fiscal
procedures, and is approved by the governing board.
Audit
requirements for applicant institutions may be found in the
Commission policy entitled "Accreditation Procedures for
Applicant Institutions.
(Resources) |
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OES is in compliance with this requirement.
Routes of compliance:
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a. |
Institutional Audit:
OES was last audited during Spring 2000
by the Internal Audit staff of the university. There was a
change in management of OES pursuant to that audit, and the
findings in the audit were addressed.
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b. |
Changes in Net Assets: N/A
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c. |
Annual Budget: The annual budget of OES is prepared by the
Director of Financial Resources, and is reviewed and approved by
the Vice Provost; it is further reviewed by the Office of the
Provost. |
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| 2.12 |
The institution
has developed an acceptable Quality Enhancement Plan and
demonstrate that the plan is part of an ongoing planning and
evaluation process. (Quality Enhancement Plan).
(Not
applicable for the Compliance Certification submitted by
institution). |
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Section 3: COMPREHENSIVE STANDARDS |
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Institutional
Mission, Governance, And Effectiveness |
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3.1 Institutional
Mission |
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3.1.1
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The institution
has a clear and comprehensive mission statement that guides it;
is approved
by the governing board; is periodically reviewed by the board;
and is communicated to the
institution’s constituencies. |
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The Division of Outreach and Extended Studies (OES) is in
compliance with this standard.
The mission of the
institution was approved by the TTU Board of Regents in November
2001. The BOR does not review the mission statements of areas
or units.
Outreach
and Extended Studies (OES) has incorporated a mission statement
as part of its strategic plan, which may be found at:
http://www.dce.ttu.edu/STRATEGIC%20PLAN.pdf |
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3.2 Governance and
Administration |
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3.2.1 |
The governing
board of the institution is responsible for the selection and
the evaluation of
the chief executive officer. |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.2 |
The legal
authority and operating control of the institution are clearly
defined for the following
areas within the institution’s governance structure: |
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3.2.2.1 |
the institution’s
mission; |
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3.2.2.2 |
the fiscal
stability of the institution; |
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3.2.2.3 |
institutional policy, including policies concerning related
and affiliated corporate
entities and all auxiliary services; |
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3.2.2.4 |
related foundations (athletic, research, etc.) and other
corporate entities whose
primary purpose is to support the institution and/or its
programs. |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.3 |
The board has a policy
addressing conflict of interest for its members. |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.4 |
The governing board is free
from undue influence from political, religious, or other
external
bodies, and protects the institution from such influence. |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.5 |
Members of the governing
board can be dismissed only for cause and by due process. |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.6 |
There is a clear and
appropriate distinction, in writing and practice, between the
policy-making
functions of the governing board and the responsibility of the
administration and
faculty to administer and implement policy. |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.7 |
The area
has a clearly defined and published organizational structure
that delineates
responsibility for the administration of policies. |
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OES is in compliance with this standard.
The
OES organization and organizational duties may be found in the
OES organizational chart, which is posted on the OES Web site in
the employee handbook,
http://www.dce.ttu.edu/empbook/es_orgchart.htm.
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3.2.8 |
The
area has
qualified administrative and academic officers with the
experience,
competence, and capacity to lead the institution.
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OES is in
compliance with this standard.
A summary of
the qualifications of the vice provost may be found at
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/provost/rsmithbio.php, and a
summary of the qualifications of the OES directors may be
obtained from the vice provost in the east wing of the OES
building at 6901 Quaker Ave. |
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| 3.2.9 |
The institution
defines and publishes policies regarding appointment and
employment of
faculty and staff.
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.10 |
The
area
evaluates the effectiveness of its administrators, including the
vice provost, on a periodic basis. |
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OES is in compliance with this
standard.
All directors within the Division
report to the vice provost and are evaluated periodically by the
vice provost.
(Documentation available in Personnel Office,
Drane Hall, Room 155 and in the east wing of the OES building at
6901 Quaker Ave.).
The vice provost is evaluated
periodically by the provost. (Documentation available in the
Office of the Provost, Administration Building, Room 104.) |
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3.2.11 |
The institution’s
chief executive officer has ultimate responsibility for, and
exercises
appropriate administrative and fiscal control over, the
institution’s intercollegiate athletics
program. |
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Not applicable to
unit level.
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3.2.12 |
The institution’s
chief executive officer has ultimate control of the
institution’s fund-raising
activities. |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.13 |
Any
institution-related foundation not controlled by the
institution has a contractual or other
formal agreement that (a) accurately describes the relationship
between the institution and
the foundation, and (b) describes any liability associated with
that relationship. In all cases,
the institution ensures that the relationship is consistent with
its mission. |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.2.14 |
The institution’s
policies are clear concerning ownership of materials,
compensation,
copyright issues, and the use of revenue derived from the
creation and production of all
intellectual property. This applies to students, faculty and
staff.
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.3 Institutional
Effectiveness |
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3.3.1 |
The institution
identifies expected outcomes for its educational programs and
its
administrative and educational support services; assesses
whether it achieves these
outcomes; and provides evidence of improvement based on analysis
of those results.
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OES is in compliance with this
standard. |
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i. |
OES participates in the ongoing, integrated
TTU-wide research-based planning and evaluation process, also
known as the TTU strategic plan. The strategic plan for OES may
be found at:
http://www.dce.ttu.edu/STRATEGIC%20PLAN.pdf. |
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ii. |
These and other data are
reviewed systematically and result in continuing improvement;
see for example the strategic plan assessment reports for 2002
and 2003, which may be accessed at
www.dce.ttu.edu/OES%202002%20Assessment%20Report.pdf and
http://www.irs.ttu.edu/SACS/AssessmentReports/40_0_2003.pdf
respectively. Additionally, program and course enrollments are
reviewed and evaluated on a regular basis to assist in program
planning. The learning objectives and assessments for courses
and degree programs through OES are the responsibility of the
faculty within the respective academic area. |
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iii. |
Approximately
80-90% of the students enrolled in courses through OES complete a
course evaluation form. Forms are reviewed by OES to ensure
that any curricular or instructional issues may be addressed.
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iv. |
Additionally, TTU participates in
the U.S. Department of Education Demonstration Program for
Distance Learning. One element of this program involved
participating in the ED annual Distance Education Survey. In the
fall of 2002, Texas Tech University surveyed 3,682 students and
received 927 survey responses, yielding a 24.80% response rate
for students enrolled in both print-based and electronic
distance learning courses and a 36% response rate for students
enrolled in a distance learning program. This survey included
students enrolled in courses through OES. The response rate
from 2001 was 17.80% for students enrolled in distance learning
courses and 23.70% for students enrolled in distance learning
programs. For additional information about the survey and the
results, see pages 41-43 of the Texas Tech University
Institutional Plan for Distance Education and Off-Campus
Instruction, at
http://www.irim.ttu.edu/SACS/TTUInstitutionalPlanfinal.pdf,
or at
http://www.de.ttu.edu/content/pdf/TTU%20Institutional%20Plan%20final.pdf.
(this link requires Adobe Acrobat Reader version 6.0 or higher.) |
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Administrative And Educational Support Services |
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i. |
The Vice Provost and Directors assess the
administrative and
educational support services on an
on-going basis in accordance with strategic initiatives.
Corrections are made as necessary to improve the operations of
the Division. For example, recent improvements include the
simplification of how instructor pay per lesson is calculated,
the implementation of new policies concerning lesson
resubmissions and re-grades, enhancements in the processing
of incoming revenues for enrollments,
document imaging of student
and other records, enhanced print and copy services, and
interactive Web-based registration.. |
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PROGRAMS |
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3.4 Educational
Programs
Standards for
All Educational Programs: |
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(Includes all
on-campus, off-campus and distance learning programs) |
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OES does not offer any degree programs; the College of Arts and Sciences
determines the outcomes and assessments for the distance learning degree
program administered on its behalf by OES.
Non-credit programs for which continuing education units (CEUs)
are awarded follow the Continuing Education Unit Criteria and Guidelines of
the SACS Commission on Colleges’ and the International Association for
Continuing Education and Training (IACET). Programs also follow the
established criteria and rules for continuing education of professional
state boards and associations. In general, program criteria include needs
identification, learning outcomes, instruction, content and methodology,
requirements for satisfactory completion, assessment of learning outcomes,
and program evaluation. The institution maintains a permanent record of
CEUs awarded.
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3.4.1
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The area
demonstrates that each educational program for which academic
credit is
awarded (a) is approved by the faculty and the
administration, and (b) establishes and
evaluates program and learning outcomes. |
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This standard is
not applicable to OES.
OES
administers one undergraduate degree program for the College of
Arts and Sciences.
This program has gone through all college and
institutional academic approval processes, and the program and
learning outcomes are determined by the faculty and
administrators within Arts and Sciences, not OES.
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3.4.2 |
The institution’s
continuing education, outreach, and service programs are
consistent with
the institution’s mission. |
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OES
is in compliance with this standard.
Continuing education
and outreach are part of the core mission of the Division of
Outreach and Extended Studies, as noted in the OES strategic
plan,
http://www.dce.ttu.edu/STRATEGIC%20PLAN.pdf.
A complete list of
OES non-credit programming can be found at
http://www.dce.ttu.edu/Outreach/
including, for example, short courses, personal enrichment, the
TTU Lifelong Learning Community, customized training,
professional development and career skills. |
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3.4.3 |
The institution
publishes admissions policies consistent with its mission. |
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This standard is
not applicable to OES. OES does not admit students to degree
programs. |
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3.4.4 |
The institution has a
defined and published policy for evaluating, awarding, and
accepting
credit for transfer, experiential learning, advanced placement,
and professional certificates
that is consistent with its mission and ensures that course work
and learning outcomes are
at the collegiate level and comparable to the institution’s own
degree programs. The
institution assumes responsibility for the academic quality of
any course work or credit
recorded on the institution’s transcript. |
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Not applicable to
unit level. |
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3.4.5 |
The area publishes
academic policies that adhere to principles of good educational
practice. These are disseminated to students, faculty, and other
interested parties through
publications that accurately represent the programs and services
of the area. |
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OES is in
compliance with this standard.
OES publishes an Authors’ handbook with detailed
instructions for course authors, including admonitions about
copyright and principles of good practice. A copy of the
handbook can be found at
http://www.dce.ttu.edu/faculty_resources/.
Additionally, OES documents compliance with the Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board Principles of Good Practice with a
completed compliance form in each course file, available from
the Director of Curriculum. Additional academic policies
specific to OES are found in the OES catalog section dealing
with policies and procedures,
http://www.dce.ttu.edu/AboutUs/policies.asp.
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3.4.6 |
The institution employs
sound and acceptable practices for determining the amount and
level of credit awarded for courses, regardless of format or
mode of delivery. |
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This standard is
not applicable to OES since OES does not evaluate credit. |
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3.4.7 |
The institution
ensures the quality of educational programs/courses offered
through
consortia relationships or contractual agreements, ensures
ongoing compliance with the
comprehensive requirements, and evaluates the
consortial relationship and/or agreement against
the purpose of the
institution. |
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OES is in
compliance with this standard.
OES does not offer credit programs
through consortia or contractual arrangements. The division has
offered courses through Western Governors’ University, which is
itself accredited by four different bodies, but that agreement
expired in the summer of 2004. No students from Western
Governors’ University are currently enrolled.
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3.4.8 |
The institution
awards academic credit for course work taken on a noncredit
basis only
when there is documentation that the noncredit course work is
equivalent to a designated
credit experience. |
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This standard is not applicable since TTU does not accept credit
for coursework taken on a non-credit basis. |
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3.4.9 |
The area provides
appropriate academic support services.
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OES is in compliance with this standard.
OES offers academic advising to students
enrolled in the Bachelor of General Studies
(http://www.dce.ttu.edu/CollegeOptions/AppProc.asp), and students also
have access to other services such as the Library, the High Tech
Computer Store, the IT Help Desk, and AccessTech AccessTech (http://www.dce.ttu.edu/AboutUs/policies.asp). Additional
information may be found in the OES Web site at, http://www.dce.ttu.edu/CurrentStudents/SupportServices.asp
and
http://www.dce.ttu.edu/Bookstore/bookstoreGI.asp. |
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3.4.10 |
The area defines and
publishes general education requirements for its undergraduate
programs and major program requirements
for all its programs. These requirements conform to commonly
accepted standards and
practices for degree programs. |
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OES is in
compliance with this standard.
The requirements for the distance learning
Bachelor of General Studies, administered by OES on behalf of
the College of Arts and Sciences, are published in the OES
catalog,
http://www.dce.ttu.edu/03_04%20Catalog.pdf pp. 67-69, and in
the general university catalog,
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