Distance Education and Training Council
Research and Educational Standards Subcommittee
MINUTES
April 15, 2012
Wailea Beach Marriott Resort
Wailea, Maui, HI
Attendees:
Connie Dempsey, Chair, Penn Foster
Cindy Mathena, Vice Chair, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Mary Adams, American Sentinel University
Jerry Alley, William Howard Taft University
Lute and Ramsey Atieh, American College of Technology
Kristi Bordelon, Teacher Education University
Susan Chiaramonte, Harrison Middleton University
David Curd, Harrison Middleton University
Deborah Delarosa, Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
Gordon Drummond, Sessions College
Natasha Franklin, California Coast University
Patrick Gamboa, International Sports Sciences Association
Leslie Gargiulo, Ashworth College
Stella Garlick, Martinsburg Institute
Barbara Grimes, California Southern University
Obadiah Harris, University of Philosophical Research
Charli Hislop, Allied Business Schools
Valda Judd, Anaheim University
Scott Katzenmeyer, Cleveland Institute of Electronics
Stephen Kemp, Antioch School
Rob Klapper, Pen Foster
Nicole Lesher, Henley-Putnam University
Paul McDonald, American Graduate University
Joseph McGrath, Grantham University
Kathleen Mirabile, Brighton College
Marianne Mount, Catholic Distance University
Tom Neal, California Coast University
Wanda Nitsch, University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
David Oxenhandler, University of Fairfax
Jessica Park, Abraham Lincoln University
Hyung Park, Abraham Lincoln University
Dorene Petersen, American College of Healthcare Sciences
Marianne Mount, Catholic Distance University
Janet Perry, Weston Distance Learning
Christopher Reeves, Shiloh University
Ann Rohr, Weston Distance Learning
Caroll Ryan, California Southern University
Marie Sirney, American Graduate University
Karen Smith, Columbia Southern University
Erika Yigzaw, American College of Healthcare Sciences
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DETC Staff: Mike Lambert, Sally Welch, Nan Ridgeway, Lissette Hubbard, Brianna Bates, and Tim
Mott.
I.
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 15th, in the Mauna
Loa Room of the Wailea Beach Marriott Resort. The meeting is held in conjunction with DETC’s
86th Annual Conference, April 15-17, 2012.
II.
Welcome and Self-Introductions: Ms. Dempsey welcomed members of the Committee and thanked
them for coming; each person introduced him/herself.
III.
Approval of October 16, 2011 Minutes (Exhibit A): Ms. Mary Adams moved and Karen Smith
seconded the motion to accept the Minutes as distributed. The motion carried unanimously.
IV.
Old Business
A. Update on the DETC Online Courses: Ms. Dempsey reported that since January 2007, we’ve
had 343 people complete the DETC Course on Preparing for Accreditation (126 since April
2011); 124 people complete the DETC Evaluator’s Training Program (17 since April); and 342
people complete the DETC Business Standards Course. (109 since April 2011). She thanked
eCollege for hosting these online programs.
B. Update on the Outstanding Graduate Program: Ms. Dempsey reported that the 2012
Outstanding Graduates and Famous Alumni booklet will have 35 graduates and 13 famous
alumni write ups. Please remember that if you have submitted a notice of intent, your write up is
due by November 1, 2011. She said that if anyone had any questions they should contact
Brianna Bates at the DETC office.
C. Update on Staff Activities (Exhibit B): Mike Lambert reported that it had been a very busy
time for the DETC staff. He talked about last year’s Annual Conference in Williamsburg, VA,
and said the conference had more than 180 people attend. He talked about writing the petition
for continued recognition to the Secretary of Education (12 revisions, 300 exhibits). He will
appear before the review committee on June 25 and 26. Mike also discussed the political climate
in D.C. and its impact on accreditation and the importance of DETC schools protecting
themselves. He also discussed the recent impact of a plagiarism case/complaint that went to the
Department of Education and the time and resources it took to respond to the problem. He said
that of the 22 accrediting agencies going through the new system; only 2 have made it with 5
years of recognition, and most agencies with 45-60 areas to address. He touched on DETC’s
lawsuit with an accredited institution and said that a settlement resulted in DETC’s favor.
Take Home Message: You can’t be too careful! Spend time with student services, empower
your staff to work wise.
V.
New Business
A. Review of DETC Standards
1. Proposed Changes: Ms. Dempsey reviewed changes to two policies: C.9. and C.25. She said
that these standards are posted on DETC’s website and they are out for public comment.
Comments are due to Sally by May 1, 2012.
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a) C.9. Policy on Degree Programs (self-certify high school completion) (Exhibit C)
Comments: three regional agencies researched, vague language used. Other accreditors
require proof of high school, diploma. David Curd stated in many states you can go to
college based on age/success in first few courses. He questioned whether this would
continue to be acknowledged. Mary Adams said some states don’t care how old you are they
still require a high school diploma in the file. The Ability to Benefit rule is proposed to go
away in July which may cause a resurgence of fake high schools. The intent here is to strike
the new language and go back to the old language based on the existing and new regulations
and their requirements.
b) C.25. Policy on Change of Name (adding “or Adding New Division”) (Exhibit D)
Question: What is a new division? Other states, new program, new high school, etc. will be
required to complete a Change of Name/Change of Division.
2. New Proposed Changes
a) Change to C.9., Standard VI – Qualifications of Faculty (Exhibit E) (requiring at least 75%
possess relevant terminal degrees)
Comments: Add the word core or principle faculty. The proposed change was because
students wanting to transfer credits and was denied because of this issue. Regional wording
was reviewed. This could be very restrictive to those program or degrees without a
corresponding terminal degree. Some voiced concern that this language is stricter than that
of the regionals. One suggested a change to “or highest relevant degree in the field”.
Schools could petition to the Commission for exceptions or “grandfathering.” Add “by
program” to program standard language. Final suggestion: At least 75% of each program of
the faculty of each program must have a graduate degree relevant to the program being
offered or the highest relevant degree to the field. Motion to take it to the Commission, and
seconded. Vote as 11 in favor and 5 opposed.
b) Change to C.9., Standard VI – Qualifications of Faculty (Exhibit E) (5% of faculty may be
deemed “exceptional” and documenting in personnel files courses taught and professional
preparation)
c) Change to C.21. Policy on Required Institutions Documents (Exhibit F) (adding resumes
and official transcripts of its instructors – and signature of person who scanned the
transcripts)
Comments: include the need to make this policy effective based on a certain date moving
forward. Some states do not allow digital records. Motion made and seconded by Kristi B.
Approved by vote.
B. New Commission Accrediting Procedures Mandated by Federal Regulations – Mike Lambert
An institution may not be accredited if even one standard or substandard is not in compliance.
Compliance means 100% compliance. Everyone will most likely get deferred. When you
receive your chair report, make sure you are documenting the completion of THE REQUIRED
ACTION. There will be no more conditional accreditations.
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The use of “Show Cause Order” is an expression of concern and will be made public in the
bulletin. If you get a show cause, you are still accredited but you need to show evidence of
compliance.
C. Petitions to the U.S. Secretary of Education and CHEA – Mike Lambert reported that these were
complete and formal recognition for Department of Education to occur in late June, 2012, and
for CHEA in Spring, 2013.
D. Task Force on Outcomes Assessment Revision – Dr. Cindy Mathena will be moderating a
session on Tuesday at 2:45 called “Town Hall Meeting: DETC Raises the Bar on Outcomes
Assessment.” Four other panel members will discuss what the Task Force on Revising C.14. has
been doing in order to move towards a new outcomes assessment process.
E. Discussion on “credit hour assignments” (Exhibit G) – Paul McDonald from American
Graduate University talked about how is faculty determines “credit hour assignments.” Paul
McDonald and Marie Sirney showed a calculation method for self-paced courses and is willing
to share the template in excel with the group
F. Topics for Fall Workshop – If anyone has suggestions for topics please send them to Rob
Chalifoux – rob@detc.org.
V.
Other Business: Ms. Dempsey reminded the group to check and insure full consumer disclosure
(including graduation rates for all programs) on their websites.
VII.
Next Meeting: The next meeting will be Sunday, October 14, 2012 at the El Dorado Hotel and Spa,
Santa Fe, NM. The meeting will be held in conjunction with the DETC Fall Workshop.
VIII. Adjournment: Mary Adams moved and Patrick Gamboa seconded the motion to adjourn. The
meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
Exhibits:
A. Minutes from October 16, 2011 Committee Meeting
B. Staff Activity (October 2011 – April 2012)
C. C.9. Policy on Degree Programs, Standard VII. Admissions
D. C.25. Policy on Change of Name or Adding New Division
E. C.9. Standard VI – Qualifications of Faculty
F. C.21. Policy on Required Institutions Documents
G. Sample Credit Hour Policy
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