REGENTS REPORT

South Dakota Higher Education: Good Investment. Great Future. NO. 60, 01/10/97

South Dakota's Unified System of Public Higher Education

Two Years of Achievement

Higher education is one of the most significant investments that a state can make in its citizens and that citizens can make in themselves. Making the most of that investment is critical to the success of graduates and the state. The state's universities have a special obligation to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to them by the people. The system has taken the initiative to make substantial changes in how business is done in public higher education as well as work to increase opportunities available to citizens. Over the past two years, South Dakota's public university system has initiated changes in preparation for the next century. This report offers some examples.

STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND PREPARATION

High School Feedback Report-The university system, working in consultation with the Board of Education, developed these reports to enhance dialogue among students, parents, teachers, school districts, and universities about student preparation for university level work. The first report, containing information on freshmen enrolled in remedial university courses, was released in September 1995. The 1996 report is soon to be released.

Proficiency Examination Initiative-The movement from a general education to a major program is a critical step in a college student's career, as is the completion of a major program. The Board feels that it is important to ensure that students are ready for the next step, and to identify problem areas if they exist. That is why the university system is moving forward with a proficiency testing initiative, for students completing 47-68 credit hours. The universities are in the first year of a two year test pilot phase to identify which proficiency test best provides information on student proficiency in basic areas. There is encouraging news from the preliminary test results, South Dakota's public university students are performing at or above the national mean in most areas.

High School Courses and Advanced Placement Acceptance-Offering university courses to South Dakota's high schools and participating in the Advanced Placement (AP) program provides the opportunity for students to get a head start on their university education and in many cases earn dual credit. Between Fall 1995 and Fall 1996, university courses taken by high school student increased 23%. Over the past two years, the number of students taking AP examinations has increased 96%, and university acceptance of AP courses has increased as well.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Reinvestment Through Efficiencies-Through this initiative the universities identified critical needs to better serve students and the state as a whole.

• Development of multimedia smart classrooms-better educational opportunities for student and faculty in research and instruction using the World Wide Web, satellite lectures, and instructional demonstrations.
• Established a system-wide Enrollment Services Center to handle utility functions related to admissions, registrations, financial aid, and billing-Center staff hiring has begun and the Centerwill be on-line in Summer 1997.
• Over 150 low-enrolled programs have been discontinued.
• Developed shared courses using distance education technology-BHSU and SDSM&T are working together to develop shared courses delivered via the Internet.
• Developed policy to limit the number of low-enrolled class sections offered. Over 500 small sections have been consolidated or eliminated between Fall 1995 and Fall 1996-an 80% decrease.

Space Utilization Report-In an effort to better use existing facilities, the system has adopted a space utilization report as a management tool for institutions in facility use and planning.

SERVICE

Off-campus Program Delivery-Off-campus delivery of courses increases the opportunities available to many that may be place-bound across the state. The universities have developed a system-wide council to oversee collaborative efforts to maximize and coordinate resources using distance education technology. The council's responsibilities are to enhance the academic opportunities available to South Dakotans, reduce duplicative efforts, and better serve rural residents by ensuring the coordination of educational resources.

Joint Courses and Programs-By offering courses and program collaboratively, the states' universities can maximize their bases of instructional talent, and students in the system will have a wider range of course and program options. The universities have developed a number of courses for joint offerings. NSU, SDSU, and USD have plans to develop a joint major in French, a program that does not currently have a major in any Regental institution, the new program plans to utilize technology to establish contact with French speaking countries providing a unique learning experience for students.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Listening Sessions-The universities and Board office completed a series of community listening sessions across the state. The sessions allowed community members and high school students to voice their feelings about what directions the university system should take in the new century and helped university leadership to understand the feelings of South Dakotans.

County Contribution Reports-South Dakota's public universities make contributions that affect every county in South Dakota. The universities developed the County Contribution Report to provide citizens information on university activities affecting them and their neighbors.

CONCLUSION

These are some examples of what the public university system has done to improve accountability, service, and access to opportunities in higher education. Many substantial changes have been made to improve the system management and the public university system is working hard to prepare for the next century.