Because the UT Dallas Compliance Certification Report is so extensive (500 pages plus supporting documents numbering over 100,000), some of us thought it might be a good idea to make a brief version available for those of you who are interested. To that end, a brief (albeit 46 pages) summary of the Compliance Certification Report is available online at http://dox.utdallas.edu/narrative1041.
Okay, it’s a hokey start, but it points to something actually important. The QEP Proposal submission is Gateways to Excellence in Math and Science (GEMS, get it?). So, what is GEMS all about?
Improving student achievement in, initially at least, freshman calculus and chemistry classes is a primary focus of the GEMS initiative. That said, the proposal focuses on dedicated space for a quasi-lab to support supplemental and peer instruction as well as computer-aided instruction for calculus and gen-chem, starting in fall 2008. Okay, maybe that’s not “the” focus. Maybe the focus is on course realignment and supplemental instruction and peer-led instruction and a host of other elements–all of which, in tandem, should provide a strong and supportive foundation to students in calculus and chemistry sections.
So, if you want to learn a bit more, go to http://www.utdallas.edu/GEMS. While you’re there, play the GEMS game for a shot at an Ipod Shuffle–and read more about the project.
It’ll do you good!
The on-site review committee chair will arrive Sunday for an afternoon meeting that will include the “top brass” of the university to preview the next day’s visit as well as the on-site review following in March. Then it’s time for the game!
Monday, however, it’s back to business, with an early meeting to familiarize the visiting chair with the tools we’ve used locally to develop our reports and web presence. Then it’s on to meetings with each of the major component groups, including student affairs, business affairs, academic associate deans (curriculum), etc. The goal here is to give the visiting chair a chance to lay out his expectations for the visit and get to know the key players - and for the key players to field a few questions about what they should continue to do in final preparation for the visit.
For example, should we put together a war room - or should we keep pushing everything to the web? Should we plan to put together student focus groups about the QEP - or should we just wait and gather a few folks at the last minute? You know–nuts and bolts things.
The nice thing is that it will be nice to put a real face on this process at last.