Date: 10.15.98
To: University Senate
From: North Central Association/Commission on Institutions of
Higher Education (NCA/CIHE) Self-Study Committee
Re: Special Emphasis
As President Brazil pointed out at the University Conference in August, Bradley University has the opportunity to make of its forthcoming accreditation visit in the fall of 2000 something more than just a perfunctory evaluation. As with the last visit in which the University studied and subsequently implemented three special emphases (internationalization, research and cultural activities), this visit provides us with an opportunity to focus on a project that involves all areas of the University. This time, however, we have the opportunity to develop our special emphasis with the ongoing help of consultants, from the consultant-evaluator team of the NCA/CIHE.
President Brazil also suggested at the August meeting that we have an opportunity to explore what he termed the "inner curriculum," that is the curriculum that intersects "our mission, values, and defining characteristics and [is] embedded in the themes and key initiatives of our strategic plan."
A number of staff, faculty, and administration have responded to Provost Liberty's memorandum of 9/14/98 to suggest an emphasis on which we might focus the University's efforts for bringing to fruition a special emphasis while preparing for the accreditation visit. Here is a distillation of those suggestions:
1. Technology -- A University-wide study of its impact on users (including psychological,emotional, and learning impact on students, faculty, and staff); impact on curricula (including areas such as interactive learning and writing across the curriculum); impact on productivity, outreach, innovation, etc. This sort of emphasis would be comprehensive and would require the involvement of the entire University community. A recent article by Diane Oblinger entitled "Technology and Change: Impossible to Resist," is available from Claire Etaugh's office to those who would like to read it.
2. Quality of Life -- A University-wide comprehensive study related to everything from issues in the workplace and learning environment to issues involving how the University responds to such matters as changing needs and life styles of students.
We seek the response of members of the Senate to these potential emphases and suggestions of other ideas. These should be forwarded to Claire Etaugh's office no later than Thursday, October 22. The Self-Study Committee will report its findings to the President and Provost. We expect to have a focus defined and to begin work on it in November.
The Self-Study Committee
Jim Ballowe, co-chair, Claire Etaugh, co-chair, Suzanne Anderson, Scott Freidhoff, Kathy Fuller, Pratima Gandhi, David Mainella, Doan Modianos, Tony Mordosky, Ray Zarvell