ATTN: FACULTY

Texas A&M University-Kingsville

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

for the

Quality Enhancement Plan:

A Discipline-based Approach to Student Engagement

Academic Year 2005-2006

All interested faculty members are invited to submit proposals for the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). Each proposal should describe an idea for a specific undergraduate course to be offered during the upcoming academic year. The proposed course could be a modification of an existing course, a Special Topics course, or an entirely new course. The course must involve student engagement in civic, research or professional activities to an extent that surpasses present offerings for that topic. Proposals may request financial support to develop or deliver the course. Support may include such items as release time, travel funds for faculty or students, or modest amounts of operating money. Details regarding the purpose of the QEP and the procedures for filing a proposal are provided below.

The overall goal of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is to Improve Student Success through Discipline-based Engagement. The objectives in support of this goal are to: (1) provide and evaluate discipline-based civic, professional, or research engagement courses, and (2) provide faculty development in support of student engagement. Starting on a limited basis, and expanding over time according to levels of interest among faculty members, specific courses will be designated as QEP courses. These courses will offer student engagement activities and will be closely monitored for their impacts on student success.

Student success means that undergraduate students demonstrate

/ mastery of the general education curriculum at levels appropriate to the baccalaureate degree,

/ mastery of their major area field of study curriculum at levels appropriate to the baccalaureate degree,

/ critical thinking including integration and synthesis, evaluation, problem-solving skills appropriate to an individual achieving the baccalaureate degree,

/ civic awareness and ethical responsibility, and

/ preparedness to engage in continued learning experiences following completion of the baccalaureate degree.

A particular QEP course need not address every aspect of student success as defined here.

Engagement means diligent and meaningful participation in civic, professional, or research activities. Discipline-based engagement refers to engagement occurring in specially designated QEP courses consistent with the expertise and discipline of the instructor.

Some engagement examples are provided below.

ð A civic engagement course might require student participation in a community project.

ð A professional engagement course, such as an internship, might address an actual problem or situation encountered in the students’ intended profession.

ð A research engagement course might require the hands-on discovery of new knowledge, or new ways of considering knowledge.

The proposal format is flexible but should include the following elements:

F Identification of the course involved

F Identification of the faculty member(s) directing or participating in the course

F A description of the engagement activity or activities to be employed

F A tentative syllabus for the proposed course

F A timeline during which the course will be developed and implemented

§ Example: The course will be developed in Summer 2005. It will be offered Fall 2005 and subsequent Fall Semesters.

F A brief description of assessment measures to be used to evaluate student success

§ Example: Immediate measures of student success will include course-embedded testing and student portfolios. Continuing measures will include student persistence in the field, student graduation rates, student performance on the standardized exit exam, and other institutional measures.

F A budget of resources needed, and a brief explanation for each requested budget item

§ Example: I request $3000 for a part-time instructor to allow myself ¼ release time for the semester of initial course offering (Fall 2005), $1400 for travel to a conference on pedagogy in my field, and $500 to buy widgets for the students.

A successful proposal will demonstrate:

ü Capable and enthused faculty leadership for the course

ü An appropriate course idea with a high probability of success

ü A commitment beyond the first course offering, preferably 5 years

ü Willingness to engage in rigorous assessment of student outcomes in cooperation with the Office of Institutional Planning and Assessment

Submit the proposal to your Dean by March 1, 2005. Deans will forward recommended proposals to the QEP Director on or before March 15, 2005. The QEP Director and Advisory Committee will make the final selection of QEP courses on or before April 1, 2005.

Administrative support is available, for assistance in formulating the proposal, and for assistance in managing the project. Dr. Duane Gardiner (QEP Director) and Dr. Gail Dantzker (Executive Director for Institutional Planning and Assessment) are available to meet with faculty, address questions and concerns, and assist with budgeting and assessment measures. Feel free to contact them.

) Dr. Gardiner email: duane.gardiner@tamuk.edu phone: 2170

) Dr. Dantzker email: gdantzker@oir.tamuk.edu phone: 4015

Also, check out the QEP website at http://qep.oir.tamuk.edu.