February 27, 2012
 

MEMORANDUM

TO:	Academic Deans Council
	Department Chairs
FROM:	Johannes Britz, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor
RE:	Seed Funding for New & Refreshed Online Programs for 2012-13
DUE DATE:	March 26, 2012

Academic Affairs invites proposals from academic units for one-time funds in 2012-13 supporting the development of new and refreshed online programs, degrees and certificates. In response to input from adult nontraditional online students, proposals will also be accepted that support the development of evening and weekend blended classes (50% or more of the course content is online, with a corresponding reduction in class face-to-face meetings).

Proposals should demonstrate the need for the program (including alignment with state/national employment projections, areas of high demand, etc.), faculty/staff who will participate in the program and other instructional support such as teaching assistants, preliminary program budget, timeline for developing the program and offering courses, capacity/readiness to undertake the program, and commitment to faculty development and quality assurance in online programming.

In its document “Best Practices for Electronically Offered Degree and Certificate Programs,” the Higher Learning Commission summarizes its expectations with respect to program quality:

• that education is best experienced within a community of learning where competent professionals are actively and cooperatively involved with creating, providing, and improving the instructional program;
• that learning is dynamic and interactive, regardless of the setting in which it occurs;
• that instructional programs leading to degrees having integrity are organized around substantive and coherent curricula which define expected learning outcomes;
• that institutions accept the obligation to address student needs related to, and to provide the resources necessary for, their academic success; and
• that institutions undertake the assessment and improvement of their quality, giving particular emphasis to student learning.

In keeping with UWM’s Access to Success initiative, proposals for new and refreshed online programs that support student access, success and active learning are encouraged.

Project proposals should be submitted electronically on the attached Online Program Seed Funding Form A to Laura Pedrick at lpedrick@uwm.edu no later than midnight, March 26, 2012.
Proposals will be reviewed by a committee with representatives from the ADC, OPC, APCC, LTC, GFC, UITS, and Academic Affairs.

Attachment (Seed Funding Request Form A)