QEP Questions

What is a QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan)?

Simply put, a QEP is a plan for a campus-wide project designed to transform student learning at UK.

Why does UK need a QEP?

The Southern Association of Colleges & Schools (SACSCOC ), our accrediting body, requires it; but, it's also an opportunity for the entire UK community to work together on a project designed to enhance student learning.

Who is involved?

Every member of the UK community - students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and community supporters- has a role to play. This is a bottom-up process, designed to solicit opinions from every stakeholder about how UK can best improve student learning and/or the environment for student learning. When does the QEP topic selection process start? Right now! The Topic Selection Team is already soliciting feedback from the UK community. How can you get involved? The first stage of the QEP topic selection process is a massive, university-wide "brainstorming session." During the spring 2010 idea collection process, no idea is too big or too small, too bold or too conventional.

The Topic Selection Team will work through the summer to examine the responses and will report back in fall 2010 with the most prevalent themes. Then, a process of pre-proposals, "white paper" solicitations, and evaluations will take place. Ultimately, the top three ideas will be presented to the SACSCOC Accreditation Leadership Team, who will guide the selection of the final QEP topic.

When does the actual QEP project launch?

Once a topic is decided upon, a name and logo for the project will be developed, again with input from the UK community. Then, we will be ready for the exciting part – implementation of a plan to make our great university even better. By 2013, the QEP will be well underway and visible on campus. In 2017, UK will report to SACSCOC on how our QEP has enhanced student learning within our institution.

What about the budget?

It's no secret- budgets are lean lately. But in the initial "brainstorming" phase of the QEP process, it's important to give free reign to our imaginations to contemplate not just what UK is, but what it can become. Think big, and give us your best ideas. Once we have a picture of what's on the minds of the UK community, we will incorporate budget concerns into the next phase- the narrowing and feasibility portion of QEP topic selection.

What are some examples of QEP topics from other institutions?

Here are a few. But, remember, we want to focus our QEP on the unique needs of UK: Active Learning, Learning in a Technology-Rich Environment, Critical Thinking, Communication Across the Curriculum, A Campus Conversation on Ethics, Enhancing Student Learning Through Improved Advising, International and Intercultural Awareness Initiative Where can we submit ideas for the QEP? Deliver your ideas to the dropbox. Leaving your name and contact information is optional, but please let us know your relationship to UK - e.g. student, faculty, staff, alumnus, parent, community supporter, etc. If you are a student, faculty or staff member, please let us know your college or unit. Community involvement is a major focus on QEP, so we need to document this information.

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Contact Site Developer Dan Cleland | Last Update: March 22, 2013