Presentation to theCommittee on Accreditation

Dr. James Brennan, ProvostandDr. Kimberly B. Kelley, Dean, SLISJanuary 12, 2008Philadelphia, PA

Topics for Today’s Meeting

Status of SLIS progress on achieving compliance with the Standards

Discussion of the CUA Administration’s support

Discussion of challenges facing SLIS Proposed next steps to achieve

accreditation in 2009 Q&A

ALA-COA Concerns for Standard I: Mission, Goals and Objectives

Rewrite the mission, goals and objectives to “form the essential frame of reference for evaluation” of the entire program,

Give special attention to writing program objectives “in terms of educational results to be achieved” and,

Include the School’s constituencies in all planning activities.

Progress on Standard I:

SLIS is undergoing a comprehensive planning process including: Developing new values, vision, mission, and goals

and objectives for the master’s program Devising a working plan for longer-term planning in

CUA-SLIS Establishing an Advisory Committee for SLIS Creating a Communication Plan to share

progress/gain feedback from constituents Reviving the Exit, Alumni, and Employer surveys to

ensure comprehensive stakeholder input.

ALA-COA Concerns Standard II: Curriculum The School must develop a “curriculum…based

on goals and objectives” that “evolves in response to a systematic planning process”,

Ensure that the School “responds to the needs of a rapidly changing technological and global society”,

“Construct coherent programs of study”, Strengthen the technical component of the

program, Include the School’s constituencies in all

planning activities

Progress on Standard II:

Re-established curriculum committee for the School Revising four core courses based on revised program

goals and objectives. Reviewing/revising SLIS “tracks” Technology survey underway to ensure curriculum is

“responsive” Reviewing and updating advising

procedures/materials/process Continuing to develop the SLIS Information Commons Systematic plan to include all constituencies in curriculum

changes/updates Reactivated the Technology Committee for the School.

ALA-COA Concerns Standard III: Faculty “The technology component is particularly inadequate. A

comprehensive approach is needed to rectify this situation.” Write program objectives that provide a frame of reference

and then determine if faculty can accomplish the program objectives and have the specialized knowledge to cover the program content.

Assure the Committee that the faculty are “sufficient in number and in diversity to carry out the major share of the teaching, research and service activities required for a program wherever and however it is delivered.”

Allay the concern of the Committee that the faculty does not have the experience to “demonstrate skill in academic planning and evaluation.”

Include the School’s constituencies in all planning activities.

Progress on Standard III:

Four new faculty hired (all have strong technology skills) – faculty of School working in concert to improve technology infrastructure

New Dean – expert in DE/technology planning Two more faculty are being recruited

Technology skills to enhance teaching & learning Add to current faculty strengths – solidify support

for curriculum Hiring is also to address the COA expressed

concern related to “diversity” and “number”

Progress on Standard III: Faculty Upgrading technology infrastructure ($94K

infusion of support from CUA) Technology committee addressing issues for on

and off campus faculty support with the university’s IT operation

Hired two support personnel for off-site locations (LoC and VA)

Reviewing core courses to ensure appropriate technologies are covered.

Clarifying scope of tracks with heavy technology component

Standards IV: Students and V: Administration and Financial Support COA did not express concerns with

these two standards. Working on developing the Program

Presentation that meets the COA standards.

ALA-COA Concerns Standard VI: Facilities The School must demonstrate that the physical

facilities “provide a functional environment for students and faculty”,

The School must explain more clearly why it is non-ADA compliant,

The School must demonstrate how the Information Commons contributes to the technical knowledge of the students,

The School must include its constituencies in all planning activities.

Progress on Standard VI: Facilities Systematic upgrades to Marist Hall, part of the

campus-wide upgrade initiative Upgrades to the Information Commons in

Marist Hall Upgrades to the other SLIS computer

laboratory facilities Technology Committee’s strategic planning

process provides framework for continual evaluation, planning, and upgrades for SLIS

Marist upgraded to be completely wireless accessible

Progress on Standard VI: Facilities Marist is not fully ADA compliant. Cost-

prohibitive to upgrade the building Therefore:

Classes for disabled students held in other, ADA compliant buildings

Information Commons and the first floor of Marist Hall are ADA compliant

Examining other facilities for housing SLIS on campus (longer term)

Establishing a working group on facilities to recommend a long term plan

Strong movement to blended and alternative formats to lessen reliance on Marist Hall

CUA Administration – Dr. James Brennan SLIS a core program within CUA Committed to retaining, and developing the

program Supportive of efforts to achieve accreditation

and take SLIS to the next level of excellence Excited to have a new dean developing a

strategic direction for the School Alliance of SLIS mission with CUA mission

CUA: Mission Statement

As the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States, founded and sponsored by the bishops of the country with the approval of the Holy See, The Catholic University of America is committed to being a comprehensive Catholic and American institution of higher learning, faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ as handed on by the Church. Dedicated to advancing the dialogue

between faith and reason, The Catholic University of America seeks to discover and impart the truth through excellence in teaching and research, all in service to the Church, the nation and the world.

(approved by the Board of Trustees, December 12, 2006)

Graduate Experience: Scholarly Recognition and Leadership Enhance the research support

infrastructure to bring annual extramural support to $50K by 2012.

Build reputation as assessed through national surveys.

Align signature programs within mission.(Concentration #1, Strengthen Graduate Studies at CUA,

Strategic plan, 12/2006)

Undergraduate Experience: Enhanced to Sustain Retention and Completion Think critically and creatively; problem

solving independently and on teams. Engage the intellectual excitement of

change through research and scholarship. Think and act ethically and honestly. Embrace cultural and linguistic diversity.(Concentration #2, Enhancing Undergraduate Studies at CUA,

Strategic plan, 12/2006)

CUA Administrative Support for SLIS Fully supportive of new dean’s efforts to

devise a comprehensive planning process

Understands that the School’s needs will take time to fulfill

Understands facilities present a significant challenge to the School (issue grappling with across campus)

CUA Administrative Support for SLIS Aware of needs of School:

We need more faculty to support School’s mission We need to continually upgrade facilities We need to continually make technology

improvements Providing support for additional faculty hires Providing support for upgrades to the

Information Commons ($94K) – part of larger Tech Committee planning efforts

Supports the School’s comprehensive planning process

Challenges Facing SLIS

New Dean Tight timeframe before the visit Limited resources Facilities changes take time Length of the hiring process

Next Steps

Complete planning process including developing the Working Plan (3 year time frame)

Finish curricular review of the four core courses in light of the new goals and objectives for the program

Continue to upgrade the technology infrastructure and facilities

Continue and complete as much of the hiring process as feasible

Finish the Program Presentation due in January, 2009

Questions or suggestions?

Thank you for your time