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Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

Call for Pre-Proposals

The QEP Committee is calling for pre-proposals for the development of a plan that focuses on the improvement of student learning.

Background

We are preparing for our SACS/Commission on Colleges reaffirmation of accreditation. A critical element of reaccreditation is the development of a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). The plan must focus on the improvement of student learning and/or the environment supporting student learning, and must be consistent with the UTSA mission. The development of the QEP requires the broad-based involvement of the university community.

QEP Purpose

The development of the QEP reflects and affirms our commitment to enhancing the quality of higher education and to the principle that student learning is at the heart of our mission. The plan describes a carefully designed and focused course of action to significantly improve or even to transform student learning.

Stages for Development of QEP

A two stage process will be used to select potential topics for the QEP.

1. Pre-Proposals: A short description of the proposed QEP; this will include a brief description of the plan, the way the plan will affect student learning, how the plan is linked to the University Strategic Plan, and resources needed for implementation. Pre-proposals must be submitted on the QEP Pre-Proposal forms found in the QEP link within the UTSA SACS reaccreditation web site at http://www.utsa.edu/sacs/. The University QEP Committee will evaluate the pre-proposals against the criteria described below. The authors of the most promising pre-proposals will be asked to submit full proposals and will be provided a stipend to assist in this process. The pre-proposal structure is discussed below.


2. Final Proposals: Selected pre-proposals will be developed into more detailed plans, that will include:
   • A review of prior research and development,
   • A detailed description of the link to student learning and the assessment of student learning,
   • A detailed evaluation plan that focuses on both evaluation of progress as well as final outcome evaluation,
   • A detailed list of resources (financial, physical, personnel) that would be required to carry out the plan.
   The final proposals will be presented to the university community electronically as well as through a series of presentations. Feedback will be gathered from the community regarding the proposals. That feedback, as well as detailed evaluation of the degree to which the proposals meet SACS/COC criteria for QEPs will be considered by the QEP Committee. After that evaluation, the QEP Committee will make a recommendation to the University SACS/COC Reaffirmation Leadership Team. The Leadership Team will then make a recommendation to the CMO and the CMO will select the final QEP.

Pre-Proposal Structure

Pre-proposals should identify how strategies can be utilized (or are currently being utilized) to improve student learning and/or the environment supporting student learning, and how the action plan would be developed (or improved and/or expanded). The pre-proposal must be:

• Double spaced, 1" inch margins, and 12-point font for all text.
• Submitted on the UTSA Pre-Proposal forms. In addition to the six page maximum indicated on that form, an additional five pages for appendices or attachments can be provided.

The pre-proposal will include the following:

(a) Summary:

Provide a clear and concise description of the plan and how it promotes the improvement of student learning and/or the environment supporting student learning. Also, include a description of how the proposed actions are related to the University's Strategic Plan - specifically, how one or more Goals in that plan would be affected by the actions proposed.

(b) Description of Plan Activities, Outcomes, and Participants

• Identify the focus of the plan and how it will improve student learning, and/or the student learning environment. Specifically identify the student learning that will be affected by the plan.
• What activities will be undertaken in the plan; clearly link these activities to student learning outcomes.
• Describe the plan participants and their roles in its implementation (e.g., students, faculty, staff, others).
• Identify what group(s) of students would be impacted and anticipated number of students impacted.
• Provide a timeline needed to implement the plan.

(c) Assessment and Evaluation Plan:

• Student Learning Assessment/Evaluation: Describe how you would measure the improvement of student learning outcomes.
• Plan Process/Progress Assessment: Describe how you would evaluate the plan's progress.

(d) Resource Requirements:

• Identify the resources needed to implement the action plan's activities, such as estimated financing, personnel, facilities, technology, and/or library resources.

Criteria for Evaluating Pre-Proposals

The QEP Committee will evaluate and select the most promising pre-proposals, based on the following criteria:

• Clearly identify the relationship of the plan to UTSA's mission by addressing one or more of the initiatives and goals of UTSA's strategic plan, A Shared Vision, UTSA 2016.
• Develop a clear, concise focus on student learning (relevant and appropriate goals; crucial importance for improving student learning and/or the environment supporting student learning; benefits to be derived).
• Identify an assessment and evaluation plan which specifies the methods, approaches, and benchmarks for measuring the effects of the tasks/activities in the plan on student learning.
• Identify resources needed to implement the plan (financial, personnel, facilities, technology, library).

Procedures for Submitting Pre-Proposals

Pre-proposals are due by 5:00 p.m., Friday, May 16, 2008, and must be submitted electronically to Belinda Flores, QEP Coordinator and Janice Kramer. You must use the UTSA QEP submittal forms: the UTSA Quality Enhancement Plan Pre-Proposal Submittal Cover Page and the UTSA Quality Enhancement Plan Pre-Proposal Submittal Form. Only those pre-proposals using the UTSA forms will be reviewed.Any questions should be directed to Belinda Flores (email or 458- 4739); Sandy Welch (email or 458-5242); or Gerry Dizinno (email or 458-4114)

If you are interested in learning more about SACS or reviewing other universities' QEP proposals, see the following links:

• QEP Handbook*
• SACS/COC Principles of Accreditation*
• SACS/COC Handbook for Reaffirmation*
• List of Quality Enhancement Plans*
• QEP Track A Summaries