Compared to the rest of the week, Eastern Michigan University offers relatively few classes on Fridays. Deciding whether that's a product of student preference and/or the institution's convenience is one of many questions a recently formed President's Commission on the Future of Instructional Delivery may be taking a closer look at.
"As an institution, it is important to consider how instructional delivery relates to the learning needs of a broad continuum of students," said Interim Provost Don Loppnow and vice chair of the Commission. "We have traditional residential students, commuter students, full-time and part-time students, and a wide range of ages. We have a broad array of academic programs using a variety of instructional approaches. Given these things, what should the future be at EMU and how can we best support our outstanding student learning while, at the same time, provide professional development activities for faculty to deliver their programs? These are questions the Commission will be working to answer."
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INSTRUCTIONAL INTEREST: Interim
Provost Don Loppnow is coordinating
the President's Commission on
Instructional Delivery. The commission
will study the issue and prepare a report
with recommendations addressing the
future of instructional delivery at
Eastern Michigan University. A report is
expected in May 2005. |
One of Interim President Craig Willis' first orders of business after being named to the helm was to form this committee. Commission members will take a look at how classes are offered at EMU, and will analyze the way the University administers the nontraditional delivery of educational programs in the context of a broader institutional mission.
Since Willis made his announcement in a campus-wide e-mail Aug. 25, a 28-person Commission — representing a broad cross-section of campus — has been created. The Commission met for the first time Oct. 20 and plans to meet until May 2005, when a plan is expected to be completed.
During the first meeting, members considered the commission's charge and took initial steps to create a process for systematically considering all relevant issues.
The Commission's "charge" is to study and prepare a report with recommendations addressing the future of instructional delivery at EMU, Loppnow said. In its work, the Commission should consider a broad range of issues related to instructional delivery on campus, off campus, and the use of the Internet and multimedia, he added.
Examples of the issues and questions Commission members will address include:
- In the context of the University mission and Strategic Plan, what should be EMU's vision regarding instructional delivery?
- Review national trends regarding instructional delivery. Compare and contrast benchmark information about peer institutions, Michigan competitors and best practices among other institutions.
- Consider how various instructional delivery approaches impact student recruitment, persistence and degree completion.
- Consider issues such as alternative or innovative scheduling of courses, creative calendaring, etc. (late start courses, workshop format, spring/summer terms; on- and off-campus courses; the Internet and hybrid courses; fully online courses and programs; continuing education programming; instructional support and services for non-traditional instructional delivery; faculty development related to non-traditional instructional delivery; funding and budget models for continuing education courses and programs; non-credit continuing education; and externally sponsored contract courses and programs.
For example, Loppnow said the University has gradually offered more classes on the weekends. The Commission may have to ask whether the University needs to offer more weekend courses, and whether that practice should be extended further to the spring/summer terms, Loppnow said.
"We need to find out where these variety of teaching applications mesh with planning where the University wants to go in the future," Loppnow said.
In addition to Willis and Loppnow, commission members include:
Daryl Barton, associate professor, department of marketing (Faculty Council representative
John Beaghan, interim vice president for business and finance
Deb deLaski-Smith, associate dean, Graduate Studies and Research
Harry E. Eiss, professor, English language and literature (Faculty Council appointee)
Ronald Fulkert, associate professor, School of Technology Studies (Faculty Council appointee)
Ellen Hoffman, associate professor, department of teacher education (presidential faculty appointee)
Amanda Hogan (traditional student representative)
Konnie Kustron, associate dean, College of Technology
Behrooz (Bob) Lahidji, director, School of Industrial Technology
Barbara Leapard, assistant professor, department of mathematics (Graduate Council representative)
Paul Leighton, associate professor, department of sociology, anthropology and criminology (AAUP representative)
Raymond Lucas, assistant professor, University Library (Faculty Council appointee)
Dawn Malone, assistant dean for credit programs (Continuing Education)
Courtney McAnuff, vice president for enrollment services
Scott Menzel (non-traditional student representative)
David Mielke, dean, College of Business
Sandra Nelson, associate professor, School of Nursing (presidential faculty appointee)
Lynn Nybell, professor, School of Social Work (AAUP representative)
John Palladino, assistant professor, department of special education (Faculty Council appointee)
Donald Pearson, professor, department of economics (Faculty Council appointee)
Lynn Rocklage, department head, department of special education (Continuing Education Advisory Council representative)
Deborah Silverman, assistant professor, School of Health Sciences (Faculty Council appointee)
Jaclynn Tracy, department head, department of leadership and counseling
Thomas Venner, department head, department of art
Kelly Victor, lecturer, department of geography and geology; and
Joanne Decamp, director of non-credit programs, Continuing Education.
