November 12, 2004
Quality Enhancement Plan process discussed at meeting
Chair of the Quality Enhancement Plan Team, Professor of English John Biguenet, addressed attendees at a Soup and Substance meeting October 26. Biguenet gave an overview of the QEP process. |
A Soup and Substance meeting was held October 26 to discuss the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) process. The meeting included an over-view of what a quality enhancement plan is, breakout round-table discussions about student learning successes and needs in preparation for developing ideas for possible QEP topics, and an explanation of how to submit proposals for QEP topics. A call for proposals has been issued with a deadline of Monday, November 15. University President Kevin Wm. Wildes, S.J., appointed the University Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) Team to lead the process of developing a creative, forward-thinking plan for improving student learning, as required for reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The QEP will benefit Loyola by making the university more competitive in recruiting students and more satisfied with the teaching and learning in our institution.
The focus topic for the QEP and the various projects comprising it will be linked to the planning and assessment processes of departments and offices, colleges, and divisions across campus. The QEP will be distinguished from other on-going initiatives for improvement because it will be, as stated in the SACS guidelines, "sufficiently broad in scope to be viewed as significant to the institution and a major enhancement of the learning experience for students."
As required for reaccreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the university will develop a QEP that will "enhance overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an issue or issues the institution considers important to improving student learning," according to SACS.
This semester, the QEP Team is asking the entire university community to become involved in the process of identifying a well-defined QEP focus topic that "is creative and vital to the long-term improvement of student learning." Student learning, as defined for a QEP, can include "knowledge, skills, behaviors, and/or values."
In spring 2005, after the focus has been approved by the SACS Leadership Team, which is chaired by the president, the university community will be involved in determining the plan's specific activities and assessment measures. Loyola's QEP will be reviewed and approved by SACS in spring 2006. Significant financial resources will be committed to the QEP. Faculty and staff will be engaged in implementing and assessing it over the following five years.
The SACS Evaluation Criteria for the Focus Topic
The Handbook for Reaffirmation of Accreditation suggests several criteria that the QEP focus should meet:
- Be "creative and vital to the long-term improvement of student learning,"
- Be "an issue of substance and depth, expected to lead to observable results,"
- Be based on needs demonstrated by empirical data,
- Reflect "interests, concerns, and aspirations" widely shared at Loyola,
- Complement Loyola's "institution-wide planning and evaluation process," and
- Have the potential of influencing how our "institution organizes for suc cess in educating students" over the long term.
For the complete explanation by SACS of the QEP, see "QEPSACS Instructions" on Loyola's QEP web page (http://www.loyno.edu/sacs/qep/).
Proposing a Focus Topic
The University QEP Team encourages faculty, staff, students, departments, other units, and committeeseither individually or jointlyto suggest focus topics electronically by completing the form available on the QEP website and returning it to dgoforth@loyno.edu by Monday, November 15, 2004. Those preferring to submit a paper copy should send the proposal to David Estes, Marquette 242, Box 7.
All submissions, whether anonymous or signed, will be posted to the QEP web page for review by the entire Loyola community. Those proposing multiple topics should submit each idea on a separate form.
For answers to questions about proposing a QEP focus topic, please call David Estes, provost's liaison to the University QEP Team (x2476 or estes@loyno.edu), or any team member (names posted on the QEP website.
University QEP Team Members are John Biguenet (chair); Mary Blue (Standing Council for Academic Planning); James Bradley, S.J., (Board of Trustees); Katie Codina (Student Government Association); David Estes (Provost's Liaison, non-voting); Georgia Gresham (University Budget Committee); Alicia Hansen (University Libraries); Si Hendry, S.J. (Jesuit Center); Brenda Joyner (Business Administration); Laurie Joyner (Arts and SciencesSocial Sciences); Leslie Lunney (Law); Jac McCracken (Music); Julia McSherry (Institutional Advancement); Connie Mui (Arts and SciencesHumanities/Arts); Connie Rodriguez (University Planning Team); Karen Shields (Student Affairs); Thom Spence (Arts and SciencesNatural Sciences); Cathy Vaughn (Alumni/Baptist Community Ministries); Billie Ann Wilson (City College); and Debbie Zimmerman (Business and Finance).
A second QEP Soup and Substance meeting to discuss proposal topics is slated for Thursday, December 2, from 12:30-1:45 p.m., location TBA.
