For Release June 23
Regents Will Make Final Decision on Centers of Excellence
ABERDEEN, SD-Meeting tomorrow on the campus of Northern State University, the Board of Regents is expected to approve campus proposals for Centers of Excellence. The Centers will develop an academic discipline on each campus that is of regional or national stature. Each center is also expected to have a social and/or economic impact in South Dakota. The proposals, first reviewed by the Board in May, include national measures to ensure quality and are summarized below.
Regents President David R. Gienapp said of the proposals, "The Centers of Excellence show innovative use of expertise and resources on our universities and will serve the educational and service needs of South Dakotans now, and well into the future, above and beyond expectations." Institutions that focus limited resources on select programs have the potential of achieving recognition for high quality, explained Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry. He continued, "That is our goal for the Centers of Excellence in South Dakota".
SDSU--Center of Excellence in Biostress
The Center for Biostress will strengthen the present ongoing Biostress focus in the Agricultural and Biological Sciences College. The Biostress Center will address issues and solutions critical to the survival and vitality of South Dakota agriculture through research, education, and outreach services.
National Measures of Quality: Center students will score in the top third in national exams and at least 15% better than non-center students in major disciplines.
SDSU--Center of Excellence in Engineering Technology
The Center for Engineering Technology will collaborate with business and industry to strengthen the program and its resources. The engineering technology center will prepare graduates with hands-on, technical expertise needed to manage technical manufacturing processes and play an important role in future economic development of South Dakota.
National Measures of Quality: Center students will have a 90% pass rate on the NICET certification exam by 2001.
BHSU--Center of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Education
National studies show that students are not well-prepared in mathematics and science and that many teachers feel inadequately prepared to teach scientific concepts. The Center will provide enhanced preparation for education students in the mathematics and physical science programs resulting in improved educational opportunities for South Dakota children.
National Measures of Quality: All center students will score at or above 60th percentile and 80% above the 70th percentile by 2000.
NSU--Center of Excellence in International Business
The Center will impact South Dakota by providing graduates in international business to meet expected job growth in this field, and offering consultation and outreach resources for South Dakota business and industry. South Dakota will benefit from a well prepared workforce able to successfully manage and flourish in the global economy.
National Measures of Quality: Center graduates will score in 75th percentile on overall major field tests by 2003; center graduates will score in the 85th percentile on international major field tests by 2003.
USD--Center of Excellence in Disaster Mental Health
The Disaster Mental Health proposal expands on a program USD is already well-known for and provides continuing education and consultation service for mental health professionals and first response teams to disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and terrorist attacks. The use and need for this Center was demonstrated by recent blizzards and floods in South Dakota and across the region.
National Measures of Quality: Students will score in top 5% on GRE Subject Test in Psychology; scores at or above the 60th percentile on national licensure exams; sophomores will increase normative scores on critical thinking/problem solving skills test by 20% before graduation.
USD--Center for Civic Leadership
This Center will address current concerns about loss of social consciousness, depopulation in rural areas, and more. Students will combine academic course-work in civic leadership with other program majors at the university. The Center will prepare able civic leaders for the socio-political development of South Dakota's communities.
National Measures of Quality: 80% of center students will score at least at the 75th percentile and no student below the 60th percentile on the ACT College Outcome Measures Program after 2 years; 75% of students to score at least at the 75th percentile and no student below the 60th percentile on nationally normed outcomes tests in major fields of study; and 75% of graduate students at the 75th percentile and no graduate students below the 50th percentile on the LSAT.
DSU--Center of Excellence in Computer/Information Systems
The Center will offer a high quality instructional program and consultation/training services to the business and K-12 community. With the Governor's new telecommunications plan, South Dakota is well positioned for creation of computer/information systems jobs and DSU's Center can help to provide the people able to fill these positions.
National Measures of Quality: All center students in the upper 25% of college seniors nationally by 2001.
SDSM&T--Center of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing & Production
The Center will provide unique educational opportunities for students in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering, deliver an executive graduate program, and develop cooperative relationships between the school and industry. The Center will enhance responsiveness to needs demonstrated by business and industry and help make South Dakota competitive in a global economy through technology development and professional education.
National Measures of Quality: 95% of center students will pass the Fundamentals of Engineering Examination on first attempt by 2002.
The USD School of Medicine Center of Excellence in Ambulatory Education was approved in December 1996. The program will utilize unique instructional and evaluation techniques to help meet the need for primary care education for student physicians in South Dakota.
The Board of Regents will convene tomorrow for two days of meetings on the campus of Northern State University in Aberdeen.