Resolution

Resolution

In a report dated December 15, 2000, The Task Force on Accountability in Distance Education recommended to Dr. B.J. Alexander, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs that "the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs establish the Instructional Technology and Distance Education Advisory Council." As described by the Task Force, the Council’s general purpose would be "to assist the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in providing leadership, support, and vision for incorporating instructional technology and distance learning into Tarleton State University’s Strategic Plan." More specifically, the Task Force identified the following four specific charges for the Council:

Assisting faculty, department heads, and deans in implementing and assuring that all required Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Western Interstate Commission for High Education, Southern Regional Education Board, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating rules, regulations, and guidelines are met and followed.

Advising the Director of the Center for Instructional Technology and Distance Learning on university issues related to appropriate faculty support services specifically related to instructional technology and distance education and appropriate training for faculty.

Recommending guidelines for developing, implementing, delivering, and evaluating distance learning courses; guidelines for assessing student capability to succeed in distance learning, student learning outcomes, student retention, and student satisfaction; and guidelines for assessing the effectiveness of distance learning technologies.

Recommending guidelines for faculty support and recognition.

In addition, The Task Force makes recommendations regarding the Council’s membership and organization:

The Council reports to the Provost and vice President of Academic Affairs. It shall be chaired by the Associate vice President of Academic Affairs and composed of the Dean of Enrollment Management, a faculty senate representative, and a working group of administrators and faculty with distance learning experience appointed by the President. All institutional guidelines involving instructional technology and distance learning shall be considered by this Council. Additionally, the Council of Deans and the Provost and vice President of Academic Affairs must approve guidelines recommended by the Council. The Director for the Center for Instructional Technology and Distance Learning will serve as an ex officio member of this committee.

The Faculty Senate resolves that the Distance Education Advisory Council, as recommended by The Task Force on Accountability in Distance Education, be established and empowered as soon as possible. This action is necessary to insure the academic role concerning distance education at Tarleton State University. Furthermore, the fundamental need of faculty input regarding all aspects of distance learning is crucial to support not only the integration of necessary technological innovations, but also to maintain Tarleton State University’s traditional emphasis on academic integrity.