Presentation to the Committee on Accreditation

1. Presentation to theCommittee on Accreditation Dr. James Brennan, Provost and Dr. Kimberly B. Kelley, Dean, SLIS January 12, 2008 Philadelphia, PA

2. Topics for Today’s Meeting • Status of SLIS progress on achieving compliance with the Standards • Discussion of the CUA Administration’s support • Discussion of challenges facing SLIS • Proposed next steps to achieve accreditation in 2009 • Q&A

3. ALA-COA Concerns for Standard I: Mission, Goals and Objectives • Rewrite the mission, goals and objectives to “form the essential frame of reference for evaluation” of the entire program, • Give special attention to writing program objectives “in terms of educational results to be achieved” and, • Include the School’s constituencies in all planning activities.

4. Progress on Standard I: • SLIS is undergoing a comprehensive planning process including: • Developing new values, vision, mission, and goals and objectives for the master’s program • Devising a working plan for longer-term planning in CUA-SLIS • Establishing an Advisory Committee for SLIS • Creating a Communication Plan to share progress/gain feedback from constituents • Reviving the Exit, Alumni, and Employer surveys to ensure comprehensive stakeholder input.

5. ALA-COA Concerns Standard II: Curriculum • The School must develop a “curriculum…based on goals and objectives” that “evolves in response to a systematic planning process”, • Ensure that the School “responds to the needs of a rapidly changing technological and global society”, • “Construct coherent programs of study”, • Strengthen the technical component of the program, • Include the School’s constituencies in all planning activities

6. Progress on Standard II: • Re-established curriculum committee for the School • Revising four core courses based on revised program goals and objectives. • Reviewing/revising SLIS “tracks” • Technology survey underway to ensure curriculum is “responsive” • Reviewing and updating advising procedures/materials/process • Continuing to develop the SLIS Information Commons • Systematic plan to include all constituencies in curriculum changes/updates • Reactivated the Technology Committee for the School.

7. ALA-COA Concerns Standard III: Faculty • “The technology component is particularly inadequate. A comprehensive approach is needed to rectify this situation.” • Write program objectives that provide a frame of reference and then determine if faculty can accomplish the program objectives and have the specialized knowledge to cover the program content. • Assure the Committee that the faculty are “sufficient in number and in diversity to carry out the major share of the teaching, research and service activities required for a program wherever and however it is delivered.” • Allay the concern of the Committee that the faculty does not have the experience to “demonstrate skill in academic planning and evaluation.” • Include the School’s constituencies in all planning activities.

8. Progress on Standard III: • Four new faculty hired (all have strong technology skills) – faculty of School working in concert to improve technology infrastructure • New Dean – expert in DE/technology planning • Two more faculty are being recruited • Technology skills to enhance teaching & learning • Add to current faculty strengths – solidify support for curriculum • Hiring is also to address the COA expressed concern related to “diversity” and “number”

9. Progress on Standard III: Faculty • Upgrading technology infrastructure ($94K infusion of support from CUA) • Technology committee addressing issues for on and off campus faculty support with the university’s IT operation • Hired two support personnel for off-site locations (LoC and VA) • Reviewing core courses to ensure appropriate technologies are covered. • Clarifying scope of tracks with heavy technology component

10. Standards IV: Students and V: Administration and Financial Support • COA did not express concerns with these two standards. • Working on developing the Program Presentation that meets the COA standards.

11. ALA-COA Concerns Standard VI: Facilities • The School must demonstrate that the physical facilities “provide a functional environment for students and faculty”, • The School must explain more clearly why it is non-ADA compliant, • The School must demonstrate how the Information Commons contributes to the technical knowledge of the students, • The School must include its constituencies in all planning activities.

12. Progress on Standard VI: Facilities • Systematic upgrades to Marist Hall, part of the campus-wide upgrade initiative • Upgrades to the Information Commons in Marist Hall • Upgrades to the other SLIS computer laboratory facilities • Technology Committee’s strategic planning process provides framework for continual evaluation, planning, and upgrades for SLIS • Marist upgraded to be completely wireless accessible

13. Progress on Standard VI: Facilities • Marist is not fully ADA compliant. Cost-prohibitive to upgrade the building • Therefore: • Classes for disabled students held in other, ADA compliant buildings • Information Commons and the first floor of Marist Hall are ADA compliant • Examining other facilities for housing SLIS on campus (longer term) • Establishing a working group on facilities to recommend a long term plan • Strong movement to blended and alternative formats to lessen reliance on Marist Hall

14. CUA Administration – Dr. James Brennan • SLIS a core program within CUA • Committed to retaining, and developing the program • Supportive of efforts to achieve accreditation and take SLIS to the next level of excellence • Excited to have a new dean developing a strategic direction for the School • Alliance of SLIS mission with CUA mission

15. CUA: Mission Statement As the national university of the Catholic Church in the United States, founded and sponsored by the bishops of the country with the approval of the Holy See, The Catholic University of America is committed to being a comprehensive Catholic and American institution of higher learning, faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ as handed on by the Church. Dedicated to advancing the dialogue

16. between faith and reason, The Catholic University of America seeks to discover and impart the truth through excellence in teaching and research, all in service to the Church, the nation and the world. (approved by the Board of Trustees, December 12, 2006)

17. Graduate Experience: Scholarly Recognition and Leadership • Enhance the research support infrastructure to bring annual extramural support to $50K by 2012. • Build reputation as assessed through national surveys. • Align signature programs within mission. (Concentration #1, Strengthen Graduate Studies at CUA, Strategic plan, 12/2006)

18. Undergraduate Experience: Enhanced to Sustain Retention and Completion • Think critically and creatively; problem solving independently and on teams. • Engage the intellectual excitement of change through research and scholarship. • Think and act ethically and honestly. • Embrace cultural and linguistic diversity. (Concentration #2, Enhancing Undergraduate Studies at CUA, Strategic plan, 12/2006)

19. CUA Administrative Support for SLIS • Fully supportive of new dean’s efforts to devise a comprehensive planning process • Understands that the School’s needs will take time to fulfill • Understands facilities present a significant challenge to the School (issue grappling with across campus)

20. CUA Administrative Support for SLIS • Aware of needs of School: • We need more faculty to support School’s mission • We need to continually upgrade facilities • We need to continually make technology improvements • Providing support for additional faculty hires • Providing support for upgrades to the Information Commons ($94K) – part of larger Tech Committee planning efforts • Supports the School’s comprehensive planning process

21. Challenges Facing SLIS • New Dean • Tight timeframe before the visit • Limited resources • Facilities changes take time • Length of the hiring process

22. Next Steps • Complete planning process including developing the Working Plan (3 year time frame) • Finish curricular review of the four core courses in light of the new goals and objectives for the program • Continue to upgrade the technology infrastructure and facilities • Continue and complete as much of the hiring process as feasible • Finish the Program Presentation due in January, 2009

23. Questions or suggestions? Thank you for your time