ABOR approves NAU strategic plan The strategic issues outlined in the plan include:
NAU President John Haeger said a hallmark of quality undergraduate education is smaller classes taught by tenured and tenure-track faculty. But, he noted, the cost is higher than having graduate assistants teaching larger classes. Haeger said the academic restructuring that collapsed 10 colleges and schools into six will help the university achieve administrative efficiency and cost savings to enhance undergraduate education. "Academic restructuring was about academic focus, and becoming focused makes it possible to move dollars around," he said. Haeger also told the regents that the $5 million budget request to help stabilize NAU's historically under-funded budget was essential to preserving close student-faculty interaction in smaller classes. To be one of the best undergraduate institutions in the West, Haeger said NAU also must increase graduation and retention rates. The five-year strategic plan outlines several strategies for improving faculty and staff compensation, including:
The strategic plan calls for increasing student access by developing Distance Learning programs in response to student needs and demands, creating more partnerships with community colleges to deliver programs and exploring potential new programs with Native American tribes. In response to future Arizona workforce needs, the strategic plan includes efforts to expand the nursing program and prepare more teachers. The plan also emphasizes the university's commitment to research and economic development, especially in the areas of bioscience, sustainability systems and Native American programs. In other business, ABOR also discussed the possibility of NAU assuming responsibility for Arizona Regents University, a cooperative effort that links the distance learning programs of NAU, Arizona State University and the University of Arizona. Students can enroll at any one of the universities and choose from online courses offered by all three. A single web site would allow students to apply and register for online classes. "Private schools are gobbling up a major part of e-learning," consultant Richard Hezel of Hezel Associates told ABOR. Regents President Gary Stuart noted that 90,000 nontraditional students are taking online courses at private schools in Arizona. "If Arizona universities are going to be on the cutting edge of what's happening in the world, we have to get moving," said Regent Robert Bulla. The regents appear to be leaning toward the consultant's recommendation of "progressive expansion" of Arizona Regents University, which would focus first on providing access to Arizona residents. "'Progressive' is an important word," Haeger said. "We really need to start with Arizona to serve Arizona first. Then we can progressively expand to reach outside Arizona." Haeger told the regents that to be successful, Arizona Regents University, which would probably be renamed, must be:
ASU President Michael Crow and U of A President Peter Likins support the idea of NAU assuming responsibility of the program as long as the universities can each develop their own online courses. "NAU has made a substantial commitment for a long time to develop online courses, and they have a competitive advantage," said Likins. Richard Hezel also noted that NAU's Distance Learning program is "well regarded and well known throughout the country." Crow expressed concern about the high cost of operating the program. Haeger shares the concern but also said, "The issue of money should not be a limiter in this case. I think this kind of operation ultimately can be self-funded." |
