Present: Ann Adams, Jim Bell, Rich Bergeman, Beth Camp, Russ Gregory, John Griffith, Elizabeth Lundy, Marlene Propst, Gary Ruppert, Ron Sharman, Ann Smart, Sharyn Smith, Paul Snyder, Sue Trautwein, Jackie Turle, Diane Watson, Ed Watson, Peggy Weems, Chuck Wert

Subcommittee Reports:

1. Curriculum - Gary Ruppert

Gary handed out "Distance Education - Course Hosting Evaluation," a form his subcommittee developed to assist departments in deciding whether to host an online course from another college and to evaluate a particular course after it's offered. It will be further developed as a guide for new instructors in developing online courses. Beth said what she liked about the form was the listing of the department that is doing the evaluation and doing evaluation at the department level. Gary warned that if you host a class it doesn't necessarily mean you will get to see it beforehand. In a meeting with a Chemeketa representative, Gary said they still didn't get to see the courses which were protected by a password. Even prospective students can't go beyond the password until they have enrolled for the class. Present at the meeting was Janet Scott, Chemeketa's online coordinator. Gary felt the presentation was mostly for promotion of what Chemeketa offers. Janet explained that she was reluctant to show them behind the password because of instructor confidentiality. Chemeketa does have a course outline (about 1/2 page long) and a syllabus which does answer the questions on the form. Unfortunately, the syllabus is done a term ahead. Chuck said it can be upgraded as late as a week before, that you don't need a whole term lead time. Paul said he learned at the meeting from Janet that there were 1,400 students registered spring term (duplicated headcount) in 70 online classes and they anticipate opening additional sections. There are 268 involved in the host/provider program who are registered at other campuses (in their schedule but provided by Chemeketa). Chemeketa does not host any classes, the only exception being LBCC's rock n roll TV class. Janet said they would have to add more staff in order to host classes. Paul feels you learn a lot by being a host which helps you become a better provider. Gary said Chemeketa will have no enrollment lid next year. They plan to add instructors once they know how many sections a class will have. Gary said his subcommittee will look into what distance education classes we offer and which of these courses satisfy the AAOT degree.

2. Marketing & Needs Assessment - Marlene Propst

Marlene said she went over the subcommittee's earlier goals and met with Laura Wisecaver, Joe Sherlock and Paul Snyder. The subcommittee will rewrite the activities. Some of the activities have already been met. Laura will look over the information and will help rewrite the subcommittee's goals. Paul gave her some helpful materials from a workshop he attended on using the Web for marketing and in analyzing our competitive position. She showed the committee a poster "Education That Works" and some locker calendars to give to the students. About 3,500 copies of the calendars were made. Marlene noticed in going over some info from the previous chair that they had considered putting a survey in the class schedule but the cost had been too prohibitive. Marlene thought a survey would take a page in the schedule and there are 75,000 copies of the schedule sent out. Beth said an insert with a return envelope was too costly. Marlene felt it would provide an avenue for people to give their views. Gary said we have to consider our internal capacity. If we try offering a writing class with open enrollment and 100 sign up, would we have sufficient staffing? Not at the present time. And if we gear up for that number, would that many enroll? Chuck pointed out that an important question is how many have the wherewithal to take the class online. Gary said he is concerned about consistency of quality. At Chemeketa WR 123 has two sections, only one of which is accessible under a specific instructor's name. It says it may be taught by other instructors and the course may be altered by the instructor.

Beth said there are two key issues for the committee to consider: 1) What is our vision of distance education? We are facing increased competition. Where is distance education going and how will it affect what we are doing? 2) What is a our real market out there? Paul said we have learned a lot in the past two years, but that we need to go through an assessment process again so that we can take what we know and build upon it. In terms of positioning ourselves competitively, it is important to think about partnerships. Beth said that our long-term vision will get shaped by current developments and will always need fine tuning.

3. Student Support - Diane Watson

Diane handed out Preliminary Review, Strategic Plan of the Oregon Community Colleges for Distance Learning," prepared by Terri Johanson, Director of Distance Learning. She reported from a Distance Learning Council brainstorming session. Terri Johanson wants feedback from different groups. If you have any comments for Terri, give them to Ann Smart. Financial Aid has completed their Web site and students can get scholarship information online. Lynn Bain and Mark Weiss are working on a Student Orientation Web site. Russ Gregory is working on a Reading site. Russ said with the Web we know we can put the syllabi on the Web but do students get that now for a regular course. Linda Olsen has ABE Reading ready. Chuck asked about Study Skills and the consultation in classes that Kathy Clark is doing. Diane replied that Russ is doing online Study Skills and reading improvement classes now.

There won't be funding available to add everyone to the ORBIS Library system with higher ed. They proposed making it available to community colleges who have the necessary infrastructure. But then it was decided that everybody should participate or try and do a community college version instead of ORBIS.

4. Technical Delivery - Paul Snyder

Paul passed out a handout re: DEIT Technology Fee Decision Package Approval. The assumption is that there will be $158,000 in technology fee revenue to cover requests. All decision packages were reviewed with their department and the originator. In some cases, acceptable alternatives were found. The requests were then prioritized. The highest priority was given to student needs. A lab or request that only served one department had less priority than one that served the whole campus. After reviewing and modifying requests, there was available money to cover all requests. Presently we don't know how long a life span the new multimedia projectors have. More money will have to be allowed for replacement of these in the future. It is better to purchase equipment in a group because there is a cost break to buy more units at one time. A carryover will be built in to cover a replacement schedule for the future.

ITFS Tower - It was a $32,000 investment. The college is using funds from a higher ed grant for the purchase and installation costs. The transmitter is up and next week the company will work with receive antennae at the centers. It should be tested before summer. Then work will begin on developing distribution paths. There are 50 free sites which include high schools in the valley from Salem to Eugene. Industries will pay for their receive equipment. Ann Smart said this will provide 2 way audio and 1 way video. Beth asked what subcommittee should take a leadership role in developing a course schedule for this. She felt the Curriculum Subcommittee would be the logical place. It is a very vital committee.

Ann Adams reported that new fire alarms are being installed on campus. The company will be pulling wires between buildings. Computer Services will piggyback with them to install wiring for distance ed phone and network connections in such classrooms as the new ones in IA. Let Rick Barker know in which classrooms you would like to see this wiring done.

5. Training & Staff Development - Marti Ayers

Beth reported for Marti. Beth said one of Marti's goals is professional short-term workshops that take people where they are and move them further along.

6. Summer Institute 1999

The Summer Institute may not happen this year. We need an inspirational leader. Chemeketa will have three online institutes but we don't have access. Chuck said the value of our Summer Institute last year was that people could ask questions. He attended the distance ed conference in Portland and if you were a neophyte you would feel that the accomplishments demonstrated were unattainable. John Griffith said the Friday workshops Paul is organizing can be an answer to the Summer Institute. Russ suggested that we make it one day a month instead of during the summer. Instead of people spending money for travel and away conferences, have our own homegrown ones. Beth asked the group if we should plan it for the fall inservice. Someone will be needed to put together a plan. Ron suggested it be done during fall inservice. Paul, Ed, Ann and Chuck volunteered to help Beth.

7. Terri Johanson Visit to LBCC, May 5

Ann Smart said Terri Johanson, the new statewide community college director of distance education, will visit our campus on May 5. The Curriculum Subcommittee will host her at noon in T-117E which is open to everyone. She will meet with Ed, Ann Smart and Paul in the morning and with Diane and Student Services in the afternoon.

The next meeting will be during fall inservice and will be a half day meeting which includes lunch.