For Release June 25

Regents Approve Reinvestment Through Efficiencies Spending Plans and Articulation Policy with Technical Institutes

ABERDEEN, SD-Meeting today on the campus of Northern State University, the Board of Regents approved the proposed spending plans for the Reinvestment Through Efficiencies Plan. Reinvestment Through Efficiencies was initiated in 1995 to enhance efficiency and improve service delivery in the public university system. A major part of the plan is to invest in new technology to improve and expand the educational opportunities available to people across the state.

Regents President David R. Gienapp said, "These plans demonstrate clear objectives for investing in the future of higher education opportunities in South Dakota. All of the Reinvestment dollars will go to improving service and bringing education to more people".

Executive Director Robert T. Tad Perry explained that, "The public higher education system is reinvesting over $10 million in FY98 to improve efficiency and service". He said that, of the resources available, 35% will be used to support Centers of Excellence and an additional 38% will be spent on technology infrastructure and redesign of the university curriculum. Nearly 13% is being spent on activities that change how universities conduct their business, such as centralized enrollment management services. Perry added, "These are significant investments in the quality of South Dakota's public higher education".

The Reinvestment Through Efficiencies Objectives and Activities are:

1. Technology infrastructure to provide the institutions with the technological infrastructure needed for 21^st Century education and management. This objective includes instructional hardware and software for students and faculty and technology to provide instruction and services beyond the campus walls. For example, most of the campuses are developing smart classrooms that can enhance distance education opportunities and employ multi-media educational methods to improve delivery, among other things.
   
   
2. Redesign the university curriculum provides faculty with the resources necessary to restructure courses to meet changing requirements for course delivery through inter-institutional collaboration and technological delivery on- and off-campus. This objective includes technical expertise consulting and training for faculty to incorporate the latest technology into their curriculum and to fully utilize new technological delivery systems.
   
   
3. Protecting assets to maintain value of the investment in the system's equipment assets and to achieve compliance with state and federal regulations relating to health and safety and program accessibility. This objective includes managing construction to assure compliance with various state and federal codes, as well as replacement of instructional and support equipment. For example, at South Dakota State University new science laboratory equipment is being purchased, as well as facility improvements to reduce energy consumption (i.e. installation/replacement of insulation).
   
   
4. Economic development to invest in activities that will extend the contribution of the institutions to South Dakota's economy. This objective includes strengthening ties with the business community through outreach and new and improved degree programs to meet business and industry needs. The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology will enhance the Executive Graduate Program which specializes in providing graduate education to place-bound executives across South Dakota and the country.
   
   
5. Linkages to the K-12 community to enhance relationships between the state's universities and public school systems for the benefit of students. This objective includes building stronger working relationships with K-12 schools to improve educational opportunities for all levels of students.
   
   
6. Investment in change makes resources available for changing systems and practices in the conduct of higher education activities. This objective includes the re-engineering of enrollment services and an investment in a new student information system. These investments will improve efficiency while achieving a greater level service for students.
   
   
7. Centers of Excellence to provide resources for making selected academic program areas of regional and/or national program quality. This objective will enhance educational opportunity and service to the state by offering unique educational programs of outstanding quality.

Perry explained that, "These reinvestments are the results of deliberate planning to redirect funds to new priorities to improve service, quality, and efficiency. The universities have shown outstanding initiative in response to this opportunity".

The Regents also approved articulation policies to ease transfer between the state's technical institutes and public universities. Perry said that, "The policies were developed in consultation with the Board of Education and the technical institutes and will promote seamless education in South Dakota". The new policies involve both general education and program course articulation.

Gienapp said that, "There are still some issues to work out with technical institute articulation, namely appropriateness of curriculum and quality of faculty, but this is a strong move in the right direction. It is imperative that we accommodate various students' educational needs where appropriate".

Also today, the Board approved the Centers of Excellence proposals. The campuses will now begin implementation to develop academic disciplines on each campus that can gain regional or national stature. The centers are expected to contribute to the social and economic health of South Dakota.

The Board of Regents will next meet for a Planning Session in Spearfish, August 6-9, 1997.

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