UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

February 2011 Update

A University Forum will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on USC Connect: Integrated Learning Within and Beyond the Classroom. All faculty, staff, and students from USC-Columbia, Lancaster, Union, Salkehatchie, and Sumter are encouraged to attend. Come find out more about this SACS-required learning initiative and how implementation will affect undergraduate studies. The Forum will be held in the Russell House Theater on the USC-Columbia campus.

The full QEP Proposal, USC Connect: Integrating Learning Within and Beyond the Classroom, has been submitted to SACS for review. The proposal will continue to be refined according to continuing feedback from the university community and SACS reviewers. Please see the proposal and share your comments. We want to hear from you!

December 2010 Update

QEP Logo: The University Office of Publications assisted the QEP Proposal Committee in developing a logo to help communicate the key elements of the QEP. The USC Connect graphic emphasizes helping students connect within and beyond the classroom experiences through reflection on theory and practice, diverse perspectives, and application of lessons learned to personal and professional decisions.

Subcommittees: The Subcommittees of the QEP Proposal Committee met from September through November. The subcommittees combined QEP regular committee members with specialists in key areas of the QEP. Members were joined by faculty, staff, and students with expertise in technology, student engagement (e.g., service learning, leadership, internships), first year experiences (e.g., UNIV 101, First Year Reading Experience, Orientation), and assessment. Co-chairs of the subcommittees met during this process to coordinate their work. Subcommittees submit their recommendations for the QEP Proposal by December 3^rd.

QEP Input/Information: An open forum to present the draft QEP and receive comment was held October 5th in the Russell House Auditorium. Faculty, staff, and students asked questions and commented on such topics as technology support, professional development for faculty, supporting students in reflecting on experiences, making sure all students receive opportunities for enhanced learning, and how we will measure success. In November, focus group discussions were held with small groups of students who provided further insights including highlighting the need for a connection between beyond the classroom experiences and academic programs and excitement about the potential technology systems to support faculty, staff, and students in accessing available opportunities. Further comment was encouraged through the QEP website comments section. Plans are underway to provide extensive information on the QEP to faculty, staff, and students in Spring 2011 and to continue to encourage their input.

September 2010 Update

The QEP Proposal Committee met throughout Summer 2010 working toward consensus on a recommendation for elements of the QEP Proposal including identification of a topic/focus, desired learning outcomes, actions to be implemented, and assessment of the QEP (i.e., how will we know if the plan is implemented successfully?). The committee considered the context and needs of USC, work from other institutions of higher education, and guidelines from the American Association of Colleges and Schools and SACS as they worked to clarify terms, consider options, and reach agreement on a draft plan.

A QEP handout including a summary of the draft QEP, USConnect: Student Empowerment through Integrative Learning, was presented at the Provost’s 2010 Fall Retreat on August 13th. Feedback from faculty, staff, and students on the full Draft QEP Proposal and Assessment Charts will be solicited via this website, department and college meetings, and a University Forum on October 5, 2010. (Online comment submissions will be accepted as of September 15, 2010.)

The QEP Proposal Committee is establishing subcommittees for 2010-2011 to develop specifics of the proposal including subcommittees on student engagements (e.g., beyond-the-classroom experiences), technology, orientation and assessment (of students), professional development (for faculty/staff), and developing a pilot study. The subcommittees will include current QEP Proposal Committee representatives and additional faculty, staff, and students as needed to provide appropriate expertise and additional perspectives.

April 2010 Update

The Provost selected a QEP Proposal Committee to lead the development of USC’s QEP Proposal. The proposal is due to the Provost by December 23, 2010. The committee is comprised of six faculty (including one Regional campus representative), two students (undergraduate and graduate), and two professional staff/administrators. Three university administrators and one outside consultant serve as ex-officio members.

The Committee is using the four proposals selected in January 2010 as the basis for study and discussion in the development of the final QEP Proposal.

The four proposals are:

• The Tenth Dimension: An Integrative Learning Environment (PDF)
• Fostering Global Engagement (PDF)
• Using Student and Course Profiles to Improve Student Success (PDF)
• Knowledge for Social Change - A Faculty, Student, Community Collaborative (PDF)

The QEP Proposal Committee is consulting with a wide range of faculty, staff, administrators, and students in development of USC’s proposal.

January 2010 Update

Four QEP Proposals Selected
In response to the Call for Papers, the Provost received more than 20 proposals to improve student learning from faculty, professional staff, and students, at USC-Columbia and the Regional Campuses.

A proposal review committee of three elected faculty (including one Regional campus representative), two administrators, and two students reviewed the proposals and selected the four QEP initiatives to be used in developing a QEP plan. Cash prizes of $2,500 will be awarded to the authors of each of the four proposals.

The four proposals are:

• The Tenth Dimension: An Integrative Learning Environment (PDF)

• Fostering Global Engagement (PDF)

• Using Student and Course Profiles to Improve Student Success (PDF)

• Knowledge for Social Change - A Faculty, Student, Community Collaborative (PDF)

QEP Proposal Selection Review Committee (Fall 2009) (No longer active) In the fall of 2009, the provost appointed a committee of three elected faculty (including one Regional campus representative), two administrators, and two students to assist with the review the proposed QEP topics. (Please note that this committee is no longer active.)

• Robert (Bob) Best, Committee Chair, Professor, School of Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Jim Burns, Senior Instructor, Associate Dean, SC Honors College
• Pearl Fernandes, Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences
• Stuart Hunter, Assistant Vice Provost, Academic Support, National Resource Center for the First-Year Experience & Students in Transition
• Jeremy Lane, Assistant Professor, School of Music
• Meredith Ross, SGA president, College of Arts and Sciences-Political Science
• Ebbie Yazdani, SGA treasurer, College of Arts and Sciences-History