Self Study Introduction
Decade of Transformation:
A Play in Three Acts
Act I – The Stage is Set (c. 1989-1993) (political, economic, demographic reality sets in)
Environment
1989 tax referral, 1980s outmigration, farm auctions close small campus mentality
Total Quality Improvement
NDUS/Chancellor created
First 7 year plan, legislature/SBHE/Governor, DPI interactions shared administration with MSU hold-up on mission approvals
VCSU: instructional technology mandate to VCSU student centered learning assessment
NCA site visit, concern about lack of mission approval, new university system
Physical plant
McFarland main hallway restoration
Foundation
Did not exist – no coordination, no major gifts
Alumni, V-500, Century; university supported
Act II – Major Changes (c. 1993-1998) (risk, institutional differentiation)
Environment
Financial squeeze – failure to fund inflation, expectation to reallocate to salary increases
Predictions of declining HS grads in about 10 years
Centralized budget request through SBHE – less political in Bismarck, SBHE takes
“equalizer” role
Close-campus proponents get it on the ballot; soundly defeated (64%)
Continuing state level strategic planning, increasing expectation for campus integration of state plans
VCSU:
Shared administration with MSU, from 3 positions to 9 to 4
Compete? Collaborate? Hunker down?
VPAA shared, turnover, none – 1993-1999
Collaborative Title III grant, 1995-2000 – faculty development, equipment
FIPSE grant, KCLL, adventure learning

Center for Innovation in Instruction
VCSU policy manual evolves out of faculty handbook, other sources – parallel to SBHE
Reports to Investors – accountability
Explore notebook university with UM-Crookston and MSU, adopt, implement
TAC formed, CIO and ITC created and named
Great Plains partnership
NASM, Community School of the Arts
City marketing money
Relationships with Chamber, Development
Stabilizers:
Heavy strategic planning: joint with MSU, annual campus updates
Communication (town halls, HotLine, voice mail, email, EC column, brown bags)
Key leaders on faculty and staff – pick up and go
Open atmosphere, following procedures
Physical plant
Tech renovations to classrooms
Foundation
Build support for and define concept
New staffing, coordination
Expand scope beyond scholarships (e.g., track, sign, stadium seating)
Board of Regents
Act III – Maturation and Development (c. 1998-present) (payoff)
Environment
Continued financial squeeze
Onset of decline in HS seniors, increased intra-NDUS competition for students
Annual reports on strategic plan progress
Roundtable – meet needs of ND; dovetail campus and state strategic plans
VCSU:
Instructional technology taken for granted – visitors, presentations, news stories
National and international
Development of faculty and student portfolios
Customized learning, Title III 98, technology education
Online, hybrid course development
Regional Tech Center
NetWork Center partnerships
Increasing international emphasis
Physical plant
Student services area
Fire/safety
Heating plant
Foundation
Major gift development
Relations with distant alumni