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Comprehensive Standard

“Reaffirmation of Accreditation and Subsequent Reports”

a.  Applicable Policy Statement.  An institution includes a review of its distance learning programs in the Compliance Certification.

Documentation. In order to be in compliance with this policy, the institution must have incorporated an assessment of its compliance with standards that apply to its distance and correspondence educations programs and courses.

Compliance

Southern Union State Community College includes a review of its distance learning programs throughout the Compliance Certification. The College makes no distinction between instruction offered via distance learning methods and those offered in a traditional classroom environment. All courses are reviewed and approved in the same process, regardless of where or how the course will be delivered.  Excerpts illustrating the inclusion of distance learning in the Compliance Certification are included below.

Core Requirement   Institutional Mission
The College also offers accessibility to higher education by providing multiple instructional locations and modalities of instruction. Traditional on-campus lecture classes are taught throughout the day and in the evening on the Opelika Campus in Lee County, on the Wadley Campus in Randolph County, and on the Valley Campus in Chambers County. The College also offers accessibility to college courses for those students who prefer an online option or are unable to attend traditional lecture classes at an on-campus site. The College offers multiple distance/online classes each semester to enable students to complete coursework using a modality of instruction that meets their needs. The same mission statement applies to all students regardless of the modality of instruction.

Core Requirement   Program Length
The College utilizes pedagogically sound instructional delivery options by offering traditional and distance education courses within these degree programs. The Associate in Science Degree program is designed for students who plan to transfer to a senior institution in order to pursue a course of study in the liberal arts, sciences, or a specialized professional field. The Associate in Applied Science Degree programs are designed for students who plan to seek employment based upon the competencies and skills attained through these programs of study. The Associate in Occupational Technologies Degree programs are designed for students seeking a combination of technically-oriented courses to meet specific career objectives and the opportunity to become multi-skilled technicians.

Core Requirement   Program Content
All Southern Union State Community College degree programs are designed so that student learning is progressively advanced.  Some courses have prerequisites, and some courses have co-requisites to ensure that the students gain the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the current and future courses.  Prerequisites and co-requisites are clearly delineated within the course descriptions in the Student Handbook and Catalog.  Standards for coursework at Southern Union State Community College remain consistent whether the format for delivery is face-to-face, hybrid, or online/distance learning.  The content offered for distance learning programs follows the same policies and procedures as outlined for on-campus courses.

Core Requirement   General Education
To ensure accurate interpretation of the general education requirements outlined in the STARS guides/degree plans, new students, including incoming transfer students, and distance education students, must have a conference with an advisor to develop a degree plan (AS degree plan, AOT degree plan, and AAS degree plan) for the specific degree being pursued. Advisors develop a program of study with the student during orientation classes. Students are given a copy of their respective degree plan outlining courses transferred in and/or needed for graduation. The College employs advisors for the three instructional areas of the College to assist students in understanding the requirements for a degree.

Core Requirement   Coursework for Degrees
Southern Union State Community College provides all course work for at least one degree program at the associate degree level which is demonstrated by the Associate in Science degree requirements, the Associate in Applied Science degree requirements, and the Associate in Occupational Technologies degree requirements.    This course work may be delivered through distance education courses, hybrid courses, or traditional courses. The Associate in Science Degree is obtainable on the Wadley, Valley and Opelika Campuses as well as through distance education. 

Core Requirement   Faculty
The College employs full-time faculty for each campus to meet instructional needs and to ensure the quality and integrity of each instructional program. Table - 2 Credit Hour Production for Full-time Faculty provides information for the Opelika, Wadley, and Valley campuses as well as Distance Learning classes for Fall Semester through Fall Semester During that time period, full-time faculty members taught more than 50 percent of the total College credit hour production. The data reveal that full-time faculty members have taught more than 50 percent of the total College credit hour production except for fall semesters on the Valley Campus which has averaged percent for the three semesters indicated. The percentage for Fall Semester semester was related to a full-time faculty member that was unable to return due to an illness. For Fall Semesters and qualified adjunct faculty taught an average of percent of the credit hours to meet the needs of the evening students and the incoming freshmen who had to enroll in transitional/developmental classes. However, the annual full-time faculty credit hour average for the and Valley campus academic year was %. It is also important to note that full-time faculty members taught 50 percent of the total college credit hour production. Data support the College has sufficient full-time faculty members to support the programs offered on each College campus and distance education. The number of full-time faculty, as well as the percentage of credit hours taught by those instructors, is adequate to support the College’s mission.

Table - 2    Credit Hour Production for Full-time Faculty

Southern Union State Community College has sufficient full-time faculty to provide increased learning opportunities through distance education course delivery which includes web and blended courses. While it would be possible for a student to complete an Associate in Science degree through distance education, most students taking distance education courses only take one or two online courses each semester to supplement their traditional classes. As shown in Table - 6, full-time faculty members teach 48% of the courses and % of the credit hours offered through distance education.

Table - 6: College-Wide Credit Hour Production by Mode of Delivery 

*Some duplication in total faculty counts may occur as many full-time faculty and adjunct faculty teach through multiple methods of delivery.

Core Requirement   Learning Resources and Services
The Learning Resource Center’s web page is located under the Current Student tab on the College’s home page.  Students, faculty, and administrators are able to access the mission statement along with locating materials in the collection through the online catalog (AG-Cat), e-book collections, electronic journals, and database resources from the Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) as well as literary critiques with Cengage Literature Resources.  These online resources ensure access to the collections and services for all on-campus, off-campus, distance education and dually enrolled students. Librarians’ email addresses are provided in order to answer questions from students or administrators.  The page also contains a description of the Learning Resource Center on each campus, the respective hours of operation, and maps to assist with locating the facilities. 

Core Requirement   Student Support Services
The College divides support services offered to students into two distinct divisions as evidenced in the Administrative Organizational Chart: Student Services and Student Development. Student Services seeks to provide programs and activities for the College’s diverse student population and unique support services for minority, non-traditional, and ADA/ students. The division includes: Admissions, Registrar and Records, Financial Aid, Athletics, Residential Life, and Campus Police.  Student Development seeks to accommodate students in gaining access to the College by providing pre-admission counseling, academic advising, placement testing, orientation, special needs counseling and special accommodations, tutorial assistance, and other support services. Students enrolled in both traditional and distance education courses have access to services and resources provided by the College.  These services are identified in the Student Handbook and Catalog. The services are available to all levels of students including high school students (dual enrollment and accelerated), non-traditional students, ADA/ students, international students, and traditional college students.

Both traditional and distance education students have online access which enables them to check the status of their college admission and financial aid.  Students may use the online services to register for classes; request transcripts; and view class schedules, transcripts, final grades, and financial aid information.  Students can also meet with advisors, staff, faculty, and administrators in person or contact them via telephone or email.   Additional services include Drug and Alcohol Awareness programs, School Cast Emergency Notification System, Student Union Center, Intramural Sports, and Wellness programs.  The staff members continually focus on providing quality services in a timely manner to the campus community.

Comprehensive Standard   Organizational Structure
Southern Union State Community College has a clearly defined and published organizational structure that delineates responsibility for the administration of policies and includes every full-time employee of the College. The academic and administrative organizational charts outline the structure and hierarchy of responsibility designed to support the mission, goals, and priorities of the College. The organizational charts for the College are updated and published annually. The organizational structure is further defined by the job descriptions developed for each employee and approved by the President. It should be noted that the administrative responsibility for all Southern Union State Community College programs, including those on campus and those delivered via online or distance learning modalities, are reflected in the administrative and organizational charts.

Comprehensive Standard   Intellectual Property Rights
Southern Union State Community College policies are clear concerning ownership of materials, compensation, copyright issues, and the use of revenue derived from the creation and production of all intellectual property.  Policies governing these practices can be found in the Employee Handbook, the Student Handbook and Catalog, as well as the Distance Learning Policy and Procedures Manual and are distributed electronically through the College’s website, intranet, and Faculty Utilities Webpage; hard copies of the policies are available through the Distance Learning Office. These policies apply to students, faculty, and staff.

“Intellectual Property” is defined as any work or invention that is the result of creativity. Examples at Southern Union State Community College include manuscripts and course designs. 

Developers of intellectual property remain the owners of said property until such time as it is officially transferred to Southern Union State Community College in exchange for some form of compensation.  An example would be the development, design, and creation of an online course.  This example of intellectual property would include the entire course (syllabus, logistical plan, assignment layout, and any accompanying materials) such that the course may be adopted by another qualified instructor with little or no input required from the originating instructor.  Intellectual property developed by students remains the property of the student.

The College’s Policy Committee and Distance Learning Committee have overlapping members and meet regularly to discuss matters of emerging concern. Disputes involving faculty and staff are resolved through the Academic Dean’s office and/or the Distance Learning Office.  Issues concerning students are directed first to the primary faculty member and then to the Academic Dean’s Office if necessary.

Online courses are developed by qualified lead faculty.  The course “shells” are purchased from the faculty and staff through a stipend of $ per credit hour.  The course shell, plan, associated documents, and rights to reproduce become the property of the College to be used for any online course.  The instructor retains no right to the course. Any changes beyond general updates must be approved by the appropriate department chairperson.

Policies and procedures mentioned above can be found in the Distance Learning Policy Manual and the Employee Handbook.  Students, faculty, and staff have access to these documents through the College’s webpage.  In addition, information regarding intellectual property rights of students can be found in appropriate course syllabi.

Comprehensive Standard   Institutional Effectiveness (Educational Programs)
Efforts to improve educational programs involve faculty at every phase of academic assessment including formulation of student learning outcomes and measures for achieving outcomes, development of assessment strategies, analysis of results, and implementation of action plans for improvement of instruction and program outcomes. Both traditional and distance/online classes adopt the same educational outcomes and similar evaluation procedures. A comparison of traditional and online class syllabi substantiates this practice.

Comprehensive Standard   Admissions Policies
To meet the needs of the traditional and distance/online students and to offer the convenience of technology, students may apply online, in person, or by mail. The same admission policy and requirements must be followed regardless of the mode of delivery used in the application process. The Admission policy and requirements are published in the class schedules and in the Student Handbook and Catalog which are available both online and in print.

Comprehensive Standard   Academic Policies
Academic Policies are found in the Academic Information section of the Student Handbook and Catalog. Some academic policies, such as course forgiveness and academic bankruptcy may be found in the Student Resources section of the College's website. Some academic policies specific to distance education can be found in the Distance Education Policy Manual.

Comprehensive Standard   Practices for Awarding Credit
Southern Union State Community College follows Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees Policy Converting Contact Hours to Credit Hour Equivalencies, Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees Policy Course Directory, Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees Policy Graduation Requirements: Degrees, and the Alabama Community College Common Course Directory to determine the amount and level of credit awarded for all course work.  In accordance with Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees policies mentioned above, the College’s semester system format follows guidelines for clock and credit hours. The College offers accessibility to students who desire to learn outside the traditional classroom through distance education classes.  The credit awarded for distance education classes and traditional on-campus classes is the same.

Comprehensive Standard   Academic Support Services
Southern Union State Community College offers orientation to support students in achieving their academic goals and familiarizing themselves with college policies.  During the months of June and July, the College offers pre-college orientations also known as Student Orientation And Registration (SOAR). In addition to SOAR, the College offers orientation to College courses designed to introduce new students to college life and to assist them to develop a program of study .The College offers Health Care students a specialized orientation course designed specifically to give information needed to improve their success in a college environment and in their health care program. The College also offers orientation for students who are taking distance courses to familiarize them with the College’s learning management system.

Comprehensive Standard   Responsibility for Curriculum
The content, quality, and effectiveness of all courses offered at Southern Union State Community College is held to the same standards regardless of the method of delivery.  Instructors who desire to develop an online or hybrid course for the College must follow the guidelines listed in the Canvas Instructor Checkoff Sheet.  All new online or hybrid courses must be evaluated by the Distance Education Committee and approved. Both new and existing online courses are regularly evaluated by both the enrolled students and the Distance Education Committee to ensure that the students who are enrolled in the online courses receive instruction comparable to that of the courses offered by traditional means.

Comprehensive   Academic Program Coordination
The programs with identified majors in distance and traditional degree programs are found in the Academic, Health Sciences, and Technical Divisions of the College. All three divisions offer a number of degree and certificate programs in a variety of career fields. A complete list of programs from each division of the College is published in the Student Handbook and Catalog. Programs in the Technical Division are designed to prepare students to enter high skill, high demand, and high wage occupations available in the present job market. The Heath Science Division programs prepare students to enter a wide range of health occupations.  The Academic transfer degree plan is geared toward transfer students planning to complete a bachelor’s degree at a four-year school.

Comprehensive Standard   Technology Use
Southern Union State Community College uses technology to enhance student learning, and its use is appropriate for meeting the objectives of the institution’s programs. In addition, students have access to and training in the use of technology. The College has personnel on staff for the assistance with, maintenance of, and training for both proven and emerging forms of educational technologies. These technologies include:

• Interactive classroom whiteboards
• Classrooms equipped with projectors and audio
• Portable sound systems and projector stations on all campuses
• Video conferencing systems on all campuses
• Conference and assembly areas equipped with projectors and audio
• Informational flat-screen monitors located throughout the campuses
• Response card “clickers”
• iPods or iPhones with software for clinical books and monitoring
• iPads for classroom and clinical instruction
• High fidelity manikins for simulation experiences
• Online assignment and assessment tools to enhance classroom instruction  
• Content management software (CMS) to facilitate online and traditional courses
• CISC – Online Learning Basics, a one credit hour course required of all first-time online students complete with assessments for ensuring users of technology are trained on the software utilized for distance education courses.

Student learning is improved through the use of technology for both video and audio capabilities in the classroom. Through the use of this technology, instructors are able to present more engaging content.  The use of a content management system (Instructure Canvas) provides the opportunity for instructors to engage students outside the classroom. The effectiveness of these methods is evident through student evaluations of courses and faculty.  Furthermore, continued requests for installation and training of these technologies suggest their effectiveness and relevance in the classroom.  A schedule for requested SMART room installations demonstrates the demand among instructors.

Other software applications include Camtasia Relay for lecture recordings, Respondus for quiz authoring, and e-Value for Health Sciences student tracking. The effective use of technology is evaluated through student course evaluations each semester, and ongoing training is provided.  The Technical and Health Science Divisions use advanced hardware for hands-on training and simulations. Instructors are provided with comprehensive training on the proper use of tools to ensure learning and safety in the classroom.

Department chairpersons are polled annually for new technology requests. Faculty and staff are trained on new hardware/software applications. The Distance Education Coordinator schedules regular workshops for training on CMS use and is available for support/training on instructional technology. Students requiring assistance with CMS may call or email the Distance Education Office or visit in-person during normal hours for immediate help or training.

One of the most practical applications of technology for students is the web application and web registration modules. The College has developed online training videos to assist students in using web application and web registration.  Emerging technologies such as 3D printing, low and high fidelity manikins, robotic control systems, digital microscopes for ADA compliance, and tutorial software such as ALEKS are additional examples of Southern Union State Community College’s effort to stay at the forefront of instructional technology.

Comprehensive Standard   Undergraduate Program Requirements
Degree and certificate requirements for programs offered in a distance format and for programs offered at all off-campus sites have the same curriculum and requirements as those programs offered on campus.

Comprehensive Standard   Faculty Competence
Faculty teaching distance education courses meet the same credentialing guidelines as those faculty members teaching in traditional classroom setting. As demonstrated in the Faculty Roster Forms, many faculty members teach a mix of both traditional and online classes.

Comprehensive Standard   Faculty Development
In addition to the regularly scheduled professional development sessions, the Distance Learning Office hosts technology workshops on the use of the Canvas Learning Management System, SMART Boards, and other instructional technologies that are relevant to the College.

Comprehensive Standard   Faculty Role in Governance
The Standing Committees and Guidelines section of the Employee Handbook outlines the committees of the College and the purpose of each committee in the governance process of the College. This committee structure provides a means for faculty, staff, and students to have input into the governance of the College. The College Assembly serves as a committee of the whole for the discussion and dissemination of information regarding all College actions and matters. It is composed of all full-time faculty and staff and meets annually or as called by the President. Some other committees on which faculty serve include; Instructional Services, Learning Resources, Institutional Effectiveness, Distance Learning, and Professional Development and Planning.  Faculty also serve on the College’s Policy Committee. The purpose of the Policy Committee is to review College policies for accuracy and consistency with the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees policies. The committee makes recommendations for policy changes to the Executive Council. Once policy changes are approved, they are added to the College’s policy manual and placed on the College’s intranet.

Comprehensive Standard   Learning/Information Resources
The College’s Learning Resource Facilities are configured to meet the specific needs of the institution’s programs at each of the three campuses. Access to resources is available to students in traditional lecture classes and distance/online classes through multiple modes of delivery. Learning Resource Centers are located on all Southern Union State Community College campuses (Opelika, Wadley, and Valley) offering resources in excess of 66, print volumes and 51, e-books.  The collections are designed to complement the educational programs and meet the needs of all users in a pleasant physical environment where students can study and conduct research.  To ensure convenient, timely, and user-friendly access, service hours are structured to provide accessibility for students, faculty, and staff.  The Learning Resource Centers hours of operation vary by semester with library staff available during all operating hours.  Courier service is available for the transport of all resources between campuses per user request.

Access to the Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) is available to students in traditional lecture classes and in distance/online classes. Access is available in all three Learning Resource Centers, all computer labs on all three campuses, in all offices on all campuses, and by connecting through the library’s link on the College’s webpage.  The AVL offers an extensive list of databases (75) and e-books that provide students with full-text magazines and journals, citation research articles, graphs, reports, maps, book reviews, and chapter excerpts. In addition, the Learning Resource Centers provide monographs (print and electronic), information literacy instruction, Wi-fi, audiovisuals, online databases, computers, copier services, and equipment to support the educational programs for students, faculty, and staff.  Selections of resources are developed based on the requirements of the various programs offered by the College.

Cooperative agreements have been established with public and academic libraries in the College’s service areas to provide services and resources to students when the Learning Resource Center is closed or desired materials are located in the collection of the partnered holdings.  Understanding the value of partnering with cooperative libraries, the College’s librarians review the holdings of perspective libraries to ensure relevance to the College’s academic programs.  This process is completed prior to the Director formulating an agreement with the agency.  Also, the close proximity to Auburn University provides students attending the Opelika Campus with the opportunity to utilize its resources and services. These cooperative agreements with various libraries throughout he College’s service area allow students taking courses though distance education the flexibility of utilizing the library location that is most convenient to them.

Comprehensive Standard   Instruction of Library Use
Instruction is available to students who elect to visit the Learning Resource Centers and ask for assistance in using resources and materials. YouTube instructional videos describing how to locate library resources are available on the Learning Resource Center Resource link on the College’s webpage under the resource tab for remote assistance for traditional, distance learning, and dually-enrolled student usage. Documentation logs are maintained by semester for all library orientation sessions held on each of the College’s campuses.

Comprehensive Standard   Physical Facilities
The College operates and maintains technology, facilities, and equipment to appropriately serve the institution’s educational programs, support services, and mission-related activities.  A technology fee of $9 per credit hour charged on all credit classes is designed specifically for new and upgraded technology resources. The technology fee provides approximately $1 million per year for technology needs. Technology support for the institution is provided by Management Information Services (MIS) which is supervised by the Vice President of Administrative and Financial Services.  Technology support for distance education students and faculty is provided by the Coordinator of Distance Education who is supervised by the Dean of Academics.  The Coordinator of Distance Education is supported by the Distance Learning Committee.

Federal Requirement   Student Achievement
The College offers the Associate in Science degree for students wishing to attain additional education at a four-year institution. In support of the College’s mission to offer quality academic programs, the College has identified representative courses from each of the five areas of the Associate Degree Curriculum. The benchmark is 70 percent (70%) for the selected courses from areas one through four identified in the STARS guide. In addition, the College uses an analysis of Grade Distribution reports (math, biology, psychology, and history) which are generated each semester and distributed for analysis to instructional deans, department chairpersons, and instructors. Annual reports from transfer institutions such as Auburn University are also reviewed. Instructors use these reports to compare student performance in their classes to class norms for the College. Course reports are included that define the course completion rates in selected courses since Fall Semester for the various degrees. Distance education classes are included and compared using the same criteria used for traditional lecture classes. An analysis of the data and a description of how the data are used to improve the instructional programs are included in the Unit Planning and Assessment System sample provided.

Federal Requirement   Program Curriculum
All courses, whether taught on-campus, off-site, or through distance learning, meet the same requirements.  There are no variations in program curriculum or course content, regardless of location or delivery method.

Federal Requirement   Publication of Policies
Southern Union State Community College provides the current academic calendar, grading policies, and refund policies to students and the public through the Student Handbook and Catalog and the College’s website. Each semester the College’s Class Schedule includes refund information for students who reduce their credit hours and students who totally withdraw from the College. The Orientation to College (ORI ) class designed for students new to the institution includes a component on grading and calculation of GPAs. The academic calendars, grading policies, refund policies, and the ORI course are the same for both traditional and distance/online students.

Federal Requirement   Program Length
A part of the mission of the College is to provide educational programs which complement the various ability levels of a diverse student population. One way the College fulfills its mission is by offering both certificates and associate degrees ranging from 9 to 76 credit hours.  Students may enroll in distance education courses as a part of a certificate or degree program, but the program length is the same.

Federal Requirement   Student Complaints
The policies and procedures governing student complaints are published in the Southern Union State Community College Student Handbook and Catalog which is disseminated in print copies in the Admissions Office on Wadley and Opelika Campuses and in the Main Office at the Valley Campus as well as on the College’s website. Students enrolled in distance/online courses follow the same procedures and policies as students in traditional on-campus courses.

Federal Requirement   Recruitment Materials
These publications are produced through the efforts of the Student Development staff and the Public Relations staff with assistance from local graphic artists and the College’s print shop. Distance education courses are marketed in the same manner as traditional, on-campus courses.

Federal Requirement
Southern Union State Community College is in compliance with its program responsibilities under Title IV of the Higher Education Amendments.  Eligibility and Certification Approval Reports (ECARs) and Program Participation Agreements (PPAs) are on file in the offices of the President and the Financial Aid Director as documentation that the College is eligible to participate in Title IV financial aid programs, including distance education courses. 

Federal Requirement   Distance and Correspondence Education (Student Identity)
Southern Union State Community College has employed three techniques to guarantee that the person who is registered for a distance education course is the same person who is actually completing the work.  These techniques are applied to all distance learning/education students and include:

• the use of unique, private and secure identifiers (usernames/passwords) for students accessing online courses (the Canvas Login Page Screenshot documents the password screen)
• the use of on-campus proctored final exams validated by photo identification
• the use of security software such as TurnItIn and Respondus LockDown Browser

The College is piloting additional online proctoring technologies. The College has subscribed to TurnItIn, a plagiarism prevention tool which checks students' work for improper citation or potential plagiarism by comparing it against the world's largest academic database. Instructors are notified of any concerns.  The Respondus LockDown Browser (RLDB) is a tool that is used when students are testing online.  The application prevents students from using the copy, paste, print, or back buttons on the computer.  RLDB also prevents students from visiting other web pages while it is active.

All of the techniques for guaranteeing that the person who is registered for a distance education course is the same person who is actually completing the work are described in the College’s Distance Learning Policy Manual.

Federal Requirement   Distance and Correspondence Education (Student Privacy)
Southern Union State Community College has developed a Distance Learning Policy Manual which includes language restricting the transmittal of student data which includes, but is not limited to, user information, email addresses, grades, registration information, and other confidential records.  The manual is available to students and instructors and is maintained by the Distance Learning Committee.  Online students are afforded the same rights and protections under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) as students attending traditional on-campus classes.  These procedures for privacy protection are outlined in the Distance Learning Policy Manual.

Federal Requirement   Distance and Correspondence Education (Student Charges)
Southern Union State Community College does not charge any additional fees for online credit hours.  This information is posted on the College’s webpage and in the Distance Learning Policy Manual.  This manual is maintained and distributed through the Distance Learning Office.

Federal Requirement
All distance education courses are provided in accordance with the credit hour policy and procedures. As required by Federal Requirement , the College’s credit hour policy conforms to commonly accepted practices in higher education and to Commission policy. 

Distance education courses must be approved according to the course development procedures in the College’s Distance Learning Policy Manual, which includes a comprehensive review process to ensure quality and equivalence to a traditional course. The amount of faculty instruction and the amount of required student work for online courses must be equivalent to that of a traditional lecture class.

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