Subject: Workgroup 8 Draft Report

Dear EIU Community,

Workgroup #8 “Academic Visioning Workgroup I” has posted a document on the Vitalization Website (listed below our meeting agendas) that contains a summary of our discussions from the Fall semester.  We are making our preliminary report available to the campus community so that we can gather additional feedback before the March 15 deadline. 

The mission of Workgroup 8 is to, “focus on program development that will enhance EIU’s marketability in growing student enrollments at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.”  Recommendations will be centered on the following four areas:

1.       New or Modified Programs (undergraduate and graduate majors)

2.       Completion Programs (for adult learners and community college students)

3.       Identifying Signature Programs

4.       Micro Degrees

Our committee’s charge is not constrained by existing or projected funding.  Rather, we are evaluating how to best increase enrollment in an ideal world (e.g., proper levels of state funding). 

We will be holding several open forums during February (details to be posted on the vitalization website), as well as developing an online survey for gathering additional feedback.  We also welcome individuals or departments who wish to present their vision for new or modified programs (within the scope of our committee’s charge) to schedule time in our weekly meetings on Fridays from 2-3 pm in room 2116 of Blair Hall.  Feedback may also be shared with individual members of the committee through email or in-person meetings. 

Tell us your dream for Eastern! We look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Jeff Stowell, Chair (jrstowell@eiu.edu)

Ryan Hendrickson

Renee Kidd Marshall

Peter Ping Liu

Kelly Miller

Britto Nathan

Amy Rosenstein

Nora Pat Small

Samantha Boomgarden, Student

Kimberly Kuspa, Student