1. Developing an Effective and Acceptable Quality Enhancement Plan [QEP]
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
QEP

2. What is the QEP?
A carefully designed course of action that addresses a well- defined and focused topic or issue related to enhancing student learning.

3. What is student learning?
SACS Commission on Colleges broadly defines student learning as changes in knowledge, skills, behaviors, or values.

4. Why are we doing the QEP?
QEP - affirms SACS proposition that student learning is at the heart of the mission of all institutions of higher learning
QEP - a requirement for SACS accreditation

5. What is MSU required to do for the QEP?
Develop broad-based process to identify key issues at MSU through institutional assessment
QEP must be focused on enhancement of student learning [most critical element]
MSU must have capability to initiate, implement, and complete the QEP
QEP process must provide broad-based involvement of MSU community [the reason we are visiting you now]
MSU must develop detailed plan to assess QEP

6. What is MSU’s QEP topic? The QEP topic has NOT yet been decided!
QEP committee visiting groups representing MSU community to:
share QEP information
gather feedback on how we may enhance student learning
The QEP topic depends on you!

7. How do we select the QEP topic?
Broad-based solicitation of QEP themes in the MSU community
QEP themes distributed and feedback sought
Based on feedback, QEP committee narrows down to 3-4 themes/topics and feedback sought
Based on feedback, individuals write QEP white papers
QEP white papers distributed and feedback sought
Based on feedback and research/best practices, QEP topic finalized and broadly communicated

8. What resources are needed for the QEP?
SACS requires us to demonstrate capability to initiate, implement, and complete the QEP
Typically includes recurring resources for:
QEP director & full-time supporting staff
Permanent QEP campus office
Meeting QEP requirements to enhance student learning
Providing professional development to faculty and staff to facilitate the QEP

9. From where will we get these resources?
This is a good question, given the current state, national, global economic climate
Based on feedback from several institutions who have implemented their QEP’s, reasonable annual budget is $200K - $500K
Commitment of resources is not optional; it is an accreditation requirement

10. What is in the QEP final report?
Topic important for our students and MSU
Clearly addresses student learning
Supported by documented research
Implementable with reasonable resources
Assessable during implementation
Broad agreement of importance among students, faculty, staff, and broader community

11. What the QEP is not?
Not “easy” to do
Not a linear process
Does not result in a broad and complicated topic
Not focused primarily on faculty and teaching

12. When is the QEP final report due?
Early Spring 2011 – at least six (6) weeks prior to the SACS on-site visit in late March or April

13. We need your input….
What are the important things that every MSU student should learn? What are the most important student learning outcomes?
How can we be more successful at accomplishing the identified student learning outcomes? What do you think gets “in the way” of that success?

14.
For more information

15. QEP Committee Executive Committee Members:
Chair: Charles Patrick (Provost’s office, SACS Director)
Darrin DeMoss (Faculty, SACS Compliance co-chair)
Kevin Koett (Student Life, SACS Compliance co-chair)
J. Marshall (Provost’s office, Honors, Leadership)
Beth Patrick (Planning, Budgets, and Technology)
Committee Members:
Matt Collinsworth (University Relations,, Folk Art Center)
Paul Goodpaster (BOR member, community representative)
Michael Harmon (Student, SGA President)
Jami Hornbuckle (University Relations, Marketing)
Eric Jerde (Faculty, Science and Technology)
Shondrah Nash (Faculty, Humanities)
Bill Redwine (Admin. /Fiscal Services, Auxiliary Services)
Jennifer Reis (Faculty, Humanities)
Greg Russell (Department Chair, Business)
David Sloan (IRAPP)
Melinda Willis (Faculty, Education)