Dean’s Council
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
3:00p – 4:30p
Meeting Notes
Present: Utpal Goswami, Ahn Fielding, Geisce Ly, Anita Janis, Jeff Cunningham, Maggie
Lynch, Rachel Anderson, Pat Girczyc,
1. Horizon Grant
 Utpal provided a handout summarizing the Horizon Grant Proposal and reviewed it with
the Deans. He would like the Dean’s to provide an overview of the purpose of the grant
be given at the Division meetings following convocation.
 The grant proposal application was sent out in response to a TAA proposal, with a
January-March turnaround, targeted for displaced workers. The proposal stipulated four
(4) priorities and is geared primarily toward Native American and rural populations. In
response, Maggie took the lead gathering substantial partners serving these areas of
need: Chadron State College, Nebraska; Oglala Sioux Tribe—Nebraska and South
Dakota; Gateway Community College, Arizona; Salt River-Pima Tribe—Arizona and
Utah; Navajo Nation – Navajo Technical College, New Mexico and Arizona; Humboldt
State University
 Our response is how CR would address the four (4) priority areas. It is basically a
“proof of concept” grant, meaning that before permanent government dollars are
invested into something, it needs to be created and tested; be certain it works. CR is
not promising guaranteed results, but proposing a concept that might work.
 Priority Area #1: proposal is to include contextualized basic skills in the curriculum in
workforce training and certificate programs.
 Priority Area #2: To improve retention and achievement, and reduce cost, the proposal
stipulates the use open education resources (OER). Concerns were voiced about OER
and faculty losing copyright ownership. The point was made that in many areas of
education, especially career and technical education, newly emerging areas (which often
begin as certificates and become programs) do not have designated textbooks. Instead,
materials are gathered from various sources into one packet. Faculty will not be
developing curriculum owned by them. This will be a collaborative approach of sharing
materials. (Liken this to providing a student a list of reading sources.) Once materials
are created, they will be available to be used and updated.
 Utpal noted that Career and Technical education comprises 50% of CR courses. If he
thought this grant was not good for the college, he would not support it.
 Regarding Priority #3, CR proposed developing two (2) programs – natural resource
management (requested from the tribes) and rural health technician (a discussion
already ongoing at CR). These are programs that will be funded outside the general
fund, and faculty will be consulted regarding what courses are needed.
 The question of sustainability also came up. The grant recognized the post-grant issue,
and online offering is key. The grant will explore what kinds of agreements need to be
made with colleges to run these programs. It comes back to proof of concept – can this
be done and is it sustainable? No commitment from CR is required in terms of long
term sustainability; the primary goal is to patch together courses quickly that will meet
emerging needs. Grant is not imposing sustainability requirements.
 Jeff sees this as an opportunity to be strategic on how we invest funds for long term
impact in our institution, and in how we provide opportunity for students to learn; for
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example, invest funds into re-training faculty how to teach conceptualized programs.
Many students are unable to achieve a certificate or degree. This may create a model
that can bring these students into a successful program. It is also an opportunity to
combine forestry, natural resources and agriculture into a holistic and realistic resource
management program. The grant does not force faculty to do anything; CR agreed to
explore the use of open educational resources, which is required; faculty participation is
voluntary.
Priority area #4, online learning, our only promise is we will create a repository that can
be used by anyone.
Utpal will devote a presidents hour to this issue
Utpal would like the division meetings to include discussion about the large picture; a
philosophical discussion on learning and how to teach. Faculty can invest in and be a
part of what the next generation of education will be in America.
CR will know by the end of September if we are selected to oversee this grant proposal,
which is a total of $20 million dollars. CR would manage $15 million, (to develop
courses, provide staff and people to run grant, technical upgrades, etc.) and $5 million
will go to the tribes.
2. Program Review and Assessment: table until next meeting
Meeting adjourned at 12pm.
CP