Division/Unit/Department: Office of Distance and Extended Learning

Plan 2012-2017

I. Introduction

State your administrative department/unit/division mission statement.

The Office of Distance and Extended Learning expands access to academic credit learning experiences for students through distance learning and extended studies.

Outline briefly your “vision” for the 2012-2017 planning cycle.

As distance learning becomes a major focus of the Texas State community, the Office of Distance and Extended Learning will support departments in fulfilling their academic initiatives in this area by:
·  Identifying gaps in the university infrastructure to support distance learning and working with appropriate offices to fill those gaps
·  Promoting best practices in distance learning through policies, professional development opportunities for faculty, and recognition of Texas State faculty innovators in online learning
·  Supporting departments in the online program proposal process as they move their programs to an online delivery format
·  Working with key offices to ensure that the services available for distance learning students are qualitatively comparable to on-campus student services, comply with SACSCOC and THECB standards, and follow best practices.
The Office of Distance and Extended Learning will continue to expand access to academic credit learning experiences as follows:
·  Continuing to make available enrollment in core-curriculum courses and courses that meet a departmental or university need via online correspondence courses
·  Continuing to facilitate on- and off-campus extension course offerings to support academic departments and the university
·  Expanding the availability of online extension course offerings to meet departmental needs
·  Incorporating continuing education courses and programs into the Office of Distance and Extended Learning

Using University goals and initiatives as a guide, list and briefly describe your top five priorities for the 2012-2017 planning cycle and indicate the university initiative/goal to which the unit’s initiative is linked.

The Office of Distance and Extended Learning top priorities for the 2012-2017 planning cycle include the following:
1.  Engage in administrative program review processes by surveying the state of distance learning at Texas State using A Quality Scorecard for the Administration of Online Education Programs.(Initiative 3.7)
STATUS: COMPLETED
Survey completed as February 2013, but subsequent institutional surveys using the Quality Scorecard may be part of continuing program review processes.
2.  Support structured, standards-driven departmental distance learning programs and initiatives. ( 5.8)
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
This initiative is ongoing. Implemented Best Practices Checklist for Online and Hybrid Courses.
3.  To ensure ongoing compliance with standards, contribute to the university's successful completion of the five-year SACSCOC accreditation review, which will include a focus on distance learning. (Initiative 5.10)
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
This initiative is ongoing.
4.  Enhance and support distance learning by leveraging Banner functionality for correspondence and extension to promote improved services to students. (Initiative 5.14)
STATUS: COMPLETED
Correspondence course integration completed in October 2012. Completed for extension as of January 2013.)
5.  Merge the Office of Distance and Extended Learning with the Continuing Education Office to improve university infrastructure. (Initiative 5.4)
STATUS: COMPLETED
Distance & Extended Learning and Continuing Education merged in March 2012. Major renovation ASBN 3rd Floor completed in January 2015 to maximize use of office space and accommodate future growth.

Based on unit goals, list the number of new (not replacement) staff lines you plan to request in the 2012-2013 fiscal year and in the remaining 2-5 years.

Planned activities will require the addition of two new FTE in the 2015-2016 fiscal year.

Based on unit initiatives outlined in your plan, estimate the total amount of new funding that your unit will realistically need in the 2015-2016 fiscal year and in the remaining 2-5 years.

2015-2016:
Approximately $117,000 would be needed to accommodate the salaries and benefits for two additional permanent staff positions. This cost would be funded by existing Distance & Extended Learning revenue and would not require additional funding from other university sources.

State the facilities (e.g. offices, work space) that will be required for anticipated growth and new initiatives.

Current office space is sufficient to accommodate expected needs due to continued growth in correspondence, extension, and continuing education. Major renovation on ASBN 3rd Floor completed in January 2015 to maximize use of existing office space

II. Process

Describe, in a brief paragraph, the process used to develop your plan, including the nature and extent of staff involvement.

Staff from the Division of Academic Affairs met to discuss the overall approach to developing strategic plans that align with the 2012-2017 University Goals and Initiatives. Input on priorities was solicited from Office of Distance and Extended Learning office staff. Open forum presentations by college deans, with special attention to the portions of the plans that related to distance learning, also informed the development of the strategic plan and office priorities. After the strategic plan was developed, staff feedback was solicited and incorporated into the plan.

III. Program Maintenance

Maintenance Need / Reason for Need / Cost / Result of Funding
Office Renovation / Integrate Office of Continuing Education and better utilize office space to accommodate additional staff. / Approximately $300,000 / Improved utilization of office space. Increased capacity for future personnel needs.
Office capacity / Two additional FTEs to address increased service demand. / Approximately $117,000 per year. / Increased service capacity. Increased student success.

IV. Planning Categories

Dept. / Initiative / 1 yr / 2-5 yrs / New Resources Required / Cost / Source of Resources / Assessment Criteria and Key Performance Indicators / University Initiative
University Goal 1: Promote academic quality by building and supporting a distinguished faculty.
University Goal 2: Provide opportunities for a public university education and contribute to economic and cultural development.
University Goal 3: Provide a premier, student-centered, educational experience that fosters retention and success.
ODEL / Engage in administrative program review processes by surveying the state of distance learning at Texas State using A Quality Scorecard for the Administration of Online Education Programs. (Completed as of February 2013, but subsequent institutional surveys using the Quality Scorecard may be part of continuing program review processes.) / X / Development stipends. / Approx. $2,000 for review committee stipends / Reserve Funds / Number of recommendations made during the Quality Scorecard self-study
Number of initiatives or changes implemented at Texas State as a result of the Quality Scorecard self-study / 3.7
University Goal 4: Enrich our learning and working environment by attracting and supporting a more diverse faculty, staff, and student body.
University Goal 5: Develop and manage human, financial, physical and technological resources effectively, efficiently, and ethically to support the university's mission.
ODEL / Merge the Office of Distance and Extended Learning with the Continuing Education Office to improve university infrastructure. (First phase completed March 2012. Second phase completed January 2015.) / X / X / Office space renovation. / $300,000 / Reserve Funds / Number and dollar value of facility upgrades made this year. / 5.4
ODEL / Develop necessary processes to support structured, standards-driven departmental distance learning programs and initiatives. / X / N/A / N/A / N/A / Examples of new web-based courses offered.
Number of faculty completing distance education training. / 5.8
ODEL / To ensure ongoing compliance with standards, contribute to the university's successful completion of the five-year SACSCOC accreditation review, which will include a focus on distance learning. / X / N/A / N/A / N/A / Number and list of major process improvements made to address specific SACSCOC standards
Number of disseminations of major SACSCOC-related information / 5.10
ODEL / Enhance and support distance learning by leveraging Banner functionality for correspondence and extension to promote improved services to students. (Completed for correspondence as of October 2012. Completed for extension as of January 2013.) / X / N/A / N/A / N/A / Achievement of targeted activities
Number of new enrollments in correspondence and extension courses after Banner implementation / 5.14

ODEL 2012-2017 Administrative Support PlansPage 2