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December 2004Board Meeting MinutesWednesday, December 15, 2004 Trustees Present: Robert Hoffman, Chair, Will Antell, Duane Benson, Tyler Despins, Cheryl Dickson, Ivan Dusek, Clarence Hightower, Vincent Ijioma, Lew Moran, David Olson, David Paskach, Thomas Renier, Ann Curme Shaw and Christopher Schultz Trustees Absent: Mary Choate
Academic Quality Improvement Dr. Twigg addressed: Improving Learning and Reducing Costs: The Program in Course Redesign. It challenges colleges and universities to redesign their approach to instruction using technology to achieve quality enhancements as well as cost savings. The program uses information technology to address primary challenges facing higher education. The three major challenges facing higher education are: increasing access to institutions; improving the quality of the institutions by improving retention and student learning; and the rising costs of higher education. Dr. Twigg stated that the three issues are inter-related and should be addressed simultaneously. Thirty institutions participated in redesign projects. Redesign characteristics emphasize active learning, greater student engagement, provide access to online learning resources, increase on-demand individualized assistance and automate course components that benefit from automation. Success rates with the redesign format measured significant changes in student learning compared with a traditional format. Students scored higher on tougher exams. Retention and costs were also significant following the redesign implementation. Dr. Twigg described the characteristics of five redesign models giving examples from the participating institutions. Chancellor McCormick described the current budget and tuition concerns and asked Dr. Twigg how the system and Board could create an environment with better results using less capital. Dr. Twigg commented that real dollar savings can be produced but learning the methodology and making an initial investment must come first. Trustee Moran questioned how comprehensive the study was on cost analysis. Dr. Twigg stated that in some areas the primary costs were understated. Trustee Moran noted that a systemic solution makes a case as a state-funded institution using state dollars and the system becomes a revolving door if access is not "married" to quality. Trustees Cheryl Dickson and David Olson both inquired whether there was a net reduction in faculty. Dr. Twigg replied that the faculty members who were not in the redesign courses were redeployed to other areas of need. Chair Hoffman asked Dr. Twigg to describe the most important first step in implementing a redesign program. Dr. Twigg replied that establishing a redesign program that provides incentives is an important first step in obtaining results. Leadership and team-work is significant for the success of the program. Chair Hoffman inquired if the program resulted in any change in the working relationship with government bodies. Dr. Twigg replied that the institutions had positive responses due to showing a return on the investment rather than a request for more funding. Dr. Twigg continued that the program is getting a tremendous amount of interest and has just completed its first phase following the study with the 30 institutions. Chair Hoffman asked what the chief impediment to the program may be and Dr. Twigg replied that although money is an issue it is more the will and decision on the part of leadership to move forward. Trustee Moran reiterated Dr. Twigg's reply to Chair Hoffman that the chief impediment may be making the decision and having the will to move forward. Trustee Moran urged the Board to have the will and initiate the program as quickly as possible. Chair Hoffman added that getting started would be the most difficult part of initiating the program and agreed with Trustee Moran to begin as soon as possible. Trustee David Paskach stated that the system needs to have a strategic direction for delivering value and added that saving money while increasing quality will create an impact of value for the system. Chair Hoffman concluded by agreeing with Trustee Paskach's comments and stated that more of the same will not do, changes need to be made and what worked yesterday is not applicable for tomorrow, as the landscape has changed. He further added that the system needs to utilize bold strokes now and expressed concern that the initiative not be "shelved." He referred the matter to the Educational Policy Committee's agenda at the January Board meeting. Recorded by Ingeborg K. Chapin |
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