Division/Unit/Department: Office of Distance and Extended Learning
Plan 2012-2017
I. Introduction
State your administrative department/unit/division mission statement.
The Office of Distance and Extended Learning expands access to academic credit learning experiences for students through
distance learning and extended studies.
Outline briefly your “vision” for the 2012-2017 planning cycle.
As distance learning becomes a major focus of the Texas State community, the Office of Distance and Extended Learning will
support departments in fulfilling their academic initiatives in this area by:




Identifying gaps in the university infrastructure to support distance learning and working with appropriate offices to fill those
gaps
Promoting best practices in distance learning through policies, professional development opportunities for faculty, and
recognition of Texas State faculty innovators in online learning
Supporting departments in the online program proposal process as they move their programs to an online delivery format
Working with key offices to ensure that the services available for distance learning students are qualitatively comparable to
on-campus student services, comply with SACSCOC and THECB standards, and follow best practices.
The Office of Distance and Extended Learning will continue to expand access to academic credit learning experiences as follows:




Continuing to make available enrollment in core-curriculum courses and courses that meet a departmental or university need
via online correspondence courses
Continuing to facilitate on- and off-campus extension course offerings to support academic departments and the university
Expanding the availability of online extension course offerings to meet departmental needs
Incorporating continuing education courses and programs into the Office of Distance and Extended Learning
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Using University goals and initiatives as a guide, list and briefly describe your top five priorities for the 2012-2017 planning cycle and
indicate the university initiative/goal to which the unit’s initiative is linked.
The Office of Distance and Extended Learning top priorities for the 2012-2017 planning cycle include the following:
1. Engage in administrative program review processes by surveying the state of distance learning at Texas State using A Quality
Scorecard for the Administration of Online Education Programs.(Initiative 3.7)
STATUS: COMPLETED
Survey completed as February 2013, but subsequent institutional surveys using the Quality Scorecard may be part of continuing
program review processes.
2. Support structured, standards-driven departmental distance learning programs and initiatives. ( 5.8)
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
This initiative is ongoing. Implemented Best Practices Checklist for Online and Hybrid Courses.
3. To ensure ongoing compliance with standards, contribute to the university's successful completion of the five-year SACSCOC
accreditation review, which will include a focus on distance learning. (Initiative 5.10)
STATUS: IN PROGRESS
This initiative is ongoing.
4. Enhance and support distance learning by leveraging Banner functionality for correspondence and extension to promote
improved services to students. (Initiative 5.14)
STATUS: COMPLETED
Correspondence course integration completed in October 2012. Completed for extension as of January 2013.)
5. Merge the Office of Distance and Extended Learning with the Continuing Education Office to improve university infrastructure.
(Initiative 5.4)
STATUS: COMPLETED
Distance & Extended Learning and Continuing Education merged in March 2012. Major renovation ASBN 3rd Floor completed in
January 2015 to maximize use of office space and accommodate future growth.
Based on unit goals, list the number of new (not replacement) staff lines you plan to request in the 2012-2013 fiscal year and in the
remaining 2-5 years.
Planned activities will require the addition of two new FTE in the 2015-2016 fiscal year.
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Based on unit initiatives outlined in your plan, estimate the total amount of new funding that your unit will realistically need in the
2015-2016 fiscal year and in the remaining 2-5 years.
2015-2016:
Approximately $117,000 would be needed to accommodate the salaries and benefits for two additional permanent staff positions.
This cost would be funded by existing Distance & Extended Learning revenue and would not require additional funding from other
university sources.
State the facilities (e.g. offices, work space) that will be required for anticipated growth and new initiatives.
Current office space is sufficient to accommodate expected needs due to continued growth in correspondence, extension, and
continuing education. Major renovation on ASBN 3rd Floor completed in January 2015 to maximize use of existing office space
II. Process
Describe, in a brief paragraph, the process used to develop your plan, including the nature and extent of staff involvement.
Staff from the Division of Academic Affairs met to discuss the overall approach to developing strategic plans that align with the
2012-2017 University Goals and Initiatives. Input on priorities was solicited from Office of Distance and Extended Learning office
staff. Open forum presentations by college deans, with special attention to the portions of the plans that related to distance learning,
also informed the development of the strategic plan and office priorities. After the strategic plan was developed, staff feedback was
solicited and incorporated into the plan.
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III. Program Maintenance
Maintenance
Need
Office
Renovation
Office
capacity
Reason for Need
Cost
Result of Funding
Integrate Office of Continuing Education and
better utilize office space to accommodate
additional staff.
Approximately
$300,000
Improved utilization of office space. Increased
capacity for future personnel needs.
Two additional FTEs to address increased
service demand.
Approximately
$117,000 per
year.
Increased service capacity. Increased student
success.
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IV. Planning Categories
Dept.
Initiative
1 yr
2-5
yrs
New Resources
Required
Cost
Source of Resources
Assessment Criteria and
Key Performance
Indicators
University
Initiative
University Goal 1: Promote academic quality by building and supporting a distinguished faculty.
University Goal 2: Provide opportunities for a public university education and contribute to economic and cultural development.
University Goal 3: Provide a premier, student-centered, educational experience that fosters retention and success.
Engage in administrative program
review processes by surveying the
Number of
state of distance learning at Texas
recommendations made
State using A Quality Scorecard
during the Quality
for the Administration of Online
Approx. $2,000 for
Scorecard self-study
Development
ODEL Education Programs. (Completed
X
review committee Reserve Funds
Number of initiatives or
stipends.
as of February 2013, but
stipends
changes implemented at
subsequent institutional surveys
Texas State as a result
using the Quality Scorecard may
of the Quality Scorecard
be part of continuing program
self-study
review processes.)
University Goal 4: Enrich our learning and working environment by attracting and supporting a more diverse faculty, staff, and student body.
3.7
University Goal 5: Develop and manage human, financial, physical and technological resources effectively, efficiently, and ethically to support the university's mission.
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Merge the Office of Distance and
Extended Learning with the
Continuing Education Office to
improve university infrastructure.
(First phase completed March
2012. Second phase completed
January 2015.)
Develop necessary processes to
support structured, standardsdriven departmental distance
X
X
Office space
renovation.
X
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N/A
$300,000
N/A
Reserve Funds
N/A
Number and dollar value
of facility upgrades made
this year.
Examples of new webbased courses offered.
Number of faculty
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5.4
5.8
learning programs and initiatives.
ODEL
To ensure ongoing compliance
with standards, contribute to the
university's successful completion
of the five-year SACSCOC
accreditation review, which will
include a focus on distance
learning.
ODEL
Enhance and support distance
learning by leveraging Banner
functionality for correspondence
and extension to promote
improved services to students.
(Completed for correspondence as
of October 2012. Completed for
extension as of January 2013.)
completing distance
education training.
X
X
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N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Number and list of major
process improvements
made to address specific
SACSCOC standards
Number of
disseminations of major
SACSCOC-related
information
5.10
N/A
Achievement of targeted
activities
Number of new
enrollments in
correspondence and
extension courses after
Banner implementation
5.14
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