Emerging Trends and Policy Issues Strategic Planning Accreditation

Emerging Trends and Policy Issues: Strategic Planning, Accreditation, and Indiana Politics Dr. Carolyn Jones Dr. Phillip E. Pierpont

Accreditation History • 1956 -Initial accreditation with HLC-NCA • 2002 -Preparation for 2006 reaffirmation of accreditation – Researched AQIP-Academic Quality Improvement Program – Purchased AQIP Vital Focus to use as selfstudy tool

Governmental Policy: The Baccalaureate Process • Higher Education Authority in Indiana – Vested in the Indiana Higher Education Commission (ICHE), Created by the Legislature to Govern Higher Education Except Budget Allocation – Therefore, Change of Mission Not Vested in the Legislature, but in the ICHE – Until Governor Kernan Became Involved, ICHE reluctant to Grant Baccalaureate to VU

Vincennes University Policy: The Baccalaureate Process • Curriculum and Academic Affairs Approval: – Required for Faculty Developed Plans • Board of Trustees Approval: – Required for CAAC-approved programs

Factors Driving the Baccalaureate Process • AQIP and the Change from the Traditional Accreditation Process • Strategic Planning Process • Dissolution of “THE PARTNERSHIP”

Vital Focus Self-Study Constellation – 85 question survey – All employees – Data analysis by NCA • Conversation Day – Corporate review of Constellation data – All employees – 71 Provocative Propositions

Strategic Planning and Resource Council External Scan Internal Scan Values AQIP 28 -member Steering Committee 71 Provocative Propositions 1 scenario 16 Potential Action Projects 6 Goals 4 Action Projects

Creation of “THE PARTNERSHIP” • Initially an Executive Order” by Governor Frank O’Bannon • Subsequently, Legislation Enacted • “Promise” of De-emphasis on Associate Degrees at the IU and Purdue Regional Campuses

Slow, Painful Unraveling of “THE PARTNERSHIP” • ISSUES IN THE UNRAVELING – – – – – Unwilling partners Cultural Differences $ Sharing $ Sharin $ Shar $ Sha $ Sh $S $

Dissolution of “THE PARTNERSHIP” • Death of Governor O’Bannon – Created “THE PARTNERSHIP” in order to: • Expand Educational Access and Affordability • Establish his Legacy as an “Education Governor” • Motives Accepted Generally as Non-political – Consensus Builder • Unwilling to Strong-arm the Partners • Unwilling to Strong-arm Four-year Schools Re: AS Degrees • Therefore, He Lost Control of the Process

Dissolution of “THE PARTNERSHIP” • Actions Taken by Governor Joe Kernan – Recommended Dissolution Before Election Loss • Legislative Action Required • Higher Ed Establishment Behaving as if Dissolution is Certain – Authorized the BA/BS degrees • Coincidental with VU’s AQIP and Strategic Planning Processes • New Governor, Mitch Daniels, Has Not Yet Taken a Position

Baccalaureate Approval: Political Fallout • Approval by the Commission for Higher Education: Mixed Vote, Expected to be Unanimous • Legislature’s Ad Hoc Committee: Efficiency in Higher Education • House Ways and Means Committee and Joint Budget Committee

The Big Picture • External Political Environment • Internal Desire to Meet New Needs • Internal Desire to Establish a New Niche