1. education

Scribe Template ­ OLC Collaborate­Kansas City
General Session Topic
Innovation and Regulation
Date:
Feb. 24, 2015
Break Out Session Question
Can and should regulations drive innovative change in higher education?
Number of Attendees:
48
Scribe
Brian Gumm
Facilitator
Chris LeBeau
9:45a-10:00a: Marshall Hill (MH hereafter)
Answering the breakout session question
Quick answer: No
Regulation needs to allow for innovation, and follow practice ­ not set up road­blocks
Questions from group:
○ “Extending reciprocity amongst higher ed institutions ­ can we have a smorgasbord of best courses from multiple institutions, tailored to the student’s program?”
■ MH re: SARA doesn’t go to that level ­ lacking the component that SARA has (across­the­board institutional support); institutions still have territoriality/protective attitude.
○ “Still fuzzy on what SARA does. Are all online programs covered by one fee (paid to SARA)? Can we now market to all those states?”
■ MH re: Yes, to every other SARA­affiliated state; no additional fees in those states; Caveat: professional programs that lead to professional licensure ­ that licensure is overseen by separate board, and fees may still apply w/ that body.
○ “From Nursing perspective: Does the physical presence clause still apply?”
■ MH re: That’s been the most difficult detail to work out in SARA; experiential learning is important to students, based on at least 20 years of studies; so it’s important for a group like SARA to ensure that level of engagement; negotiated compromise on this requirement that there’s no ■
universal agreement on; SARA provides for online programs some “safe spots” for student placement w/out triggering “physical presence” clause; referencing FAQs on this topic on NC­SARA.
Follow­up question on other clauses, e.g. “operating a business” clause
10:00a-10:20a: Chris LeBeau (CL hereafter)
Key points/topics from table discussions
○ Table 1: States creating what are essentially trade barriers for students to enroll in a program out­of­state; conflict of interest in granting credit to another institution’s courses (forgoing income) ­ Gaining more students, but losing out on some revenue?
■ Off­hand comment favoring “open market” perspective
○ Table 2: Progress/benefits that Cali College has made; sharing where other schools are at w/ SARA; Emporia State’s (KS) model ­ in­state satellite campuses in other states
○ Table 3: Question of resource sharing across institutions & states, e.g. library resources w/ limitations from providers/vendors; can SARA facilitate collective bargaining for services?
○ Table 4: SARA­clarification questions; recommending the good resources on the NC­SARA website; making sure regulations actually do protect from illegitimate orgs
○ Table 5: What is “innovation?” Where: Classroom, marketplace, etc.? What are SARA’s next steps once all states sign up?
○ Table 6: What to do when a student from a non­SARA state wants to enroll in your national, SARA­affiliated program? Best practices for communication?
With 7­10 minutes remaining, scribe will ask the following questions of attendees:
Key Takeaways:
● Lots of questions re: implementation ­ Need for more clarity.
● Should regulation drive innovation? ­ Diversity in perspectives: yes and no.
○ One person in the affirmational camp: “(Regulations) should be the ‘protective layer’.”
○ One from the negative camp: Innovation needs to happen, and then put controls/regulations put in place.
■ Metaphor: The success of the Internet was partly due to regulation being delayed while rapid and expansive innovation took place.
● Opportunities ­ Person coming from China, impressed with the “smorgasbord” of schools that have strengths to offer; not the case in her home country.
What Else is Important to Capture Here?
● A few references to the quality of the materials on the NC­SARA website
Questions for Follow Up in Facebook Group:
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Where is the voice of the students in any of these conversations?
Issues of professional licensure still a big question/concern
Next Steps:
● Having SARA do more webinars