During the past three months, Eastern Michigan University
has identified its four continuous improvement projects,
finalized project teams for each and the University's Continuous
Improvement Advisory Committee (CIAC) hosted an Academic
Quality Improvement Project or AQIP Training Institute
to help CIAC members learn how to begin spreading the word
about the action projects and the AQIP accreditation process
to campus.
To signify EMU's commitment to moving forward with the
new accreditation process, the CIAC hosts an AQIP "Kick-Off" orientation
that will include comments from EMU President John Fallon
and Interim Provost Don Loppnow. The event is scheduled
Tuesday, Feb. 14, from 10 a.m.-noon in room 300 of Halle
Library. Approximately 60 invited guests will attend.
During the kick-off, Loppnow is expected to provide a
brief historical overview of AQIP, explain why EMU is involved
with AQIP, discuss the next steps and define team roles
and responsibilities. President Fallon also is expected
to make comments. During the second hour, project teams
will then break out and discuss their specific project
and outline steps to achieve completion of the action projects,
said Ellen Gold, chair
of the CIAC and director of University Health Service.
"For many of these people, this is their first introduction
to continuous improvement and AQIP, and knowing these projects
are linked to our accreditation process," Gold said at
the committee's monthly meeting Feb. 9.
Before the New Year, the CIAC unanimously agreed to move
forward with all four projects, which include improving
delivery of academic advising; improving customer service
to students, faculty and staff; incorporating writing across
the curriculum into lower-level writing courses; and creating
metrics for campus-wide institutional assessment. Each
project team — which ranges from 10 to 17 members — includes
two team leaders and two facilitators.
The Strategic Operations Council then approved the action
projects before the declared projects were sent to The
Higher Learning Commission in December 2005.
Projected end dates for EMU's projects are as follows:
- Academic advising, December 2006.
- General Education Program assessment, April 2007.
- Customer-focused service, May 2007.
- Create metrics for campus-wide institutional assessment,
September 2007.
Launched in 1999, AQIP attempts to infuse the principles
and benefits of continuous improvement into the culture
of colleges and universities by providing an alternative
process through which an already-accredited institution
can maintain its accreditation from the North Central Association,
also known as The Higher Learning Commission. EMU received
its most recent 10-year accreditation from the NCA in 2000.
NCA accepted EMU to participate in the AQIP process March
1, 2004. The University moved to reaccreditation through
AQIP because one of EMU's six major strategic directions
emphasizes improving institutional effectiveness.
AQIP distinguishes itself from traditional accreditation
through its concentration on systems and processes both
as the basis for quality assurance and as the lever for
enabling institutional improvement.
The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) reviewed The Higher
Learning Commission in December 2005. In its report, the
DOE recognized AQIP as a viable accreditation model, Gold
reported to the committee.
"The DOE believes results might show institutions using
AQIP might perform better than universities using traditional
accreditation methods," she said. "To finally get an endorsement
from the DOE is important. It's not just something used
by two-year community colleges, but something the DOE recognizes."
The recent training institute, conducted at Eagle Crest
Conference Center, had 24 participants, including the project
team leaders and facilitators. Another training institute
will be scheduled in the fall, Gold said.
"Don (Loppnow) said AQIP is here. This is our accreditation
process," Gold said. "And President Fallon is stressing
continuous improvement wherever he speaks."
For more information, go to www.emich.edu/aqip
