Mike Foley | University Relations | 8 August 2008
With a hiatus in July and over two dozen questions turned in since the last President's Council Question-and-Answer Forum in June, BYU-Hawaii President Steven C. Wheelwright [pictured at right] grouped submissions for the August 6 session into several topics, including the learning model concept, distance learning, LDS Philanthropies, housing, faculty input on university decisions, and other changes on campus.
"We have not made a decision about using a single learning model, but we do know that we need a single template and approach to distance learning, and we're very comfortable with that path at this point," President Wheelwright responded to the first two.
For example, he spoke of a recent Biology 100 course that used a problem centered learning model and included distance-learning elements, which may become the template for other general education and all distance learning classes, going forward. He also noted that EIL [English as an International Language] classes are not the primary focus of our distance learning efforts. "We've actually had EIL faculty working with each of the different courses we're developing thus far," President Wheelwright said.
"We want all of our distance learning courses to be appropriate for non-native speakers. That means they all need to incorporate the tools and principles of good EIL instruction. Also, EIL did offer an online course in the spring. So, we're moving forward, but we want to make sure we do it correctly on a good foundation."
"The goal is to offer as many as 20% of the on-campus classes for credit in a distance-learning mode," he continued, noting this makes it easier for working students to fit more classes in their schedule. For example, President Wheelwright said he hopes this will increase the average number of credit hours a students takes a semester to at least 15 (Dr. Max Checketts, Vice President of Academics, said the current average is 12.85).
Responding to the success of LDS Philanthropies in raising money for BYU-Hawaii, President Wheelwright said the amount of donations approximately tripled from 2006 to 2007, and will "probably double this year over last year. That is, we're continuing to accelerate the gifts that we're getting. Our donors are very generous: They are touched by our mission and its importance."
"As a longer-term goal, we need to be raising about $10 million-plus a year in endowed and spendable funds for each of the next 10 years," he continued, pointing out that over half the money goes for scholarships, including the International Work Experience program (IWES). "The balance of the money is going for program improvements, including the development of distance learning and Board of Trustees-approved physical facilities such as the new athletic fields."
President Wheelwright added he has used his Harvard "rolodex" to contact new donors and raise funds. "One of the reasons we've recently moved the Alumni Association is because we believe they're also part of that rolodex, in making better use of them to help students prepare, be mentored, stay connected with their countries, and help them return with internships and jobs."
In reference to the questions on housing, Michael Bliss, Vice President for Administrative Services, confirmed that the sale of the TVA townhouses is moving through the civic approval process; and while not under BYUH control, he added "we're really close to getting that approval. It's a slow process, but we haven't stopped. We've been moving as fast as we could, given the regulatory restrictions we've had."
Bliss said BYUH will also be ready about the same time to sell the "single homes, other than those on Moana Street." He added that plans for the Moana Street homes are not done, but two of the homes have been "taken out of inventory," and will be demolished and replaced. He also mentioned that the long-term plan has incorporated plans for additional housing for staff, faculty and many more students, "including apartment-style units where students prepare their own meals."
"We are anxious to get there as quickly as we can," President Wheelwright said. He also acknowledged that the university needs more housing of various kinds, which must all be discussed with the community and approved by the City and County of Honolulu.
Asked if the faculty have given input and played roles in the reorganization of BYU-Hawaii and selection of college deans, Checketts stressed the importance of "two-way communication." For example, he said the President's Council has established a schedule of meetings that will better facilitate information flow to the deans. "We're also looking to create a web site or some kind of a system where we can post reports on things we're working on."
To receive input, Checketts said he's talked with many faculty, but he also noted there are "as many preferences for means of communication as there are faculty... We want to make sure we're getting a voice from all of them, irrespective of their personal preferences for the way they communicate."
In reference to the selection of new deans, Checketts pointed out that the CES Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees must approve any changes. "They want us to submit recommendations with options," he said, noting he has also been advised not to change all of the deans of the four colleges at the same time. Consequently, a staggered four-year rotation of new deans will be used.
Other questions included:
• Can BYUH students keep their email addresses after they graduate? This would be a great tool to keep in touch with our students.
"We're in the process of evaluating that," President Wheelwright responded. He explained a student's BYUH email address could become their primary one, or we could issue a permanent address "that gets forwarded somewhere else. Some of you may know that Provo has gone that direction with its byu.net."
"We currently have that second option," he continued. "Any student that wants to have their BYUH email address forwarded to another place can do that. Whatever we do, we need to make it simple and easy for the students to use."
• Is BYUH going to use Turn It In [an online Blackboard program for faculty to check student submissions for plagiarism]?
"Yes, we will be using it this fall," President Wheelwright replied.
• The CES dress code requires shoes to be worn: Is BYUH's "flip-flop" [rubber slippers] culture going to change?
"Student leaders in the recent past have been conducting focus groups with students about developing a culture of appropriate dress," replied Debbie Hippolite Wright, Vice President for Student Development and Affairs. "The resounding response has been that our Dress Code is strong. We just have to enforce it."
"From the student perspective, faculty are reluctant to say, ‘You're out of standards.' We need to help faculty get more comfortable saying that," Hippolite Wright continued. "There's a sense that we can dress better. We're going to be purposeful about how we dress."
• Why does BYUH Security need a large truck to patrol campus?
Vice President Bliss replied that the truck is sometimes used in unpaved areas of the extended campus. He also reported the university's motor pool fleet has recently been reduced about 10%, with further reductions planned, while current vehicles will be replaced with more efficient ones in a timely manner.
• Will BYU-Hawaii follow the WASC recommendation to become more research-focused?
"We have decided not to follow that recommendation," President Wheelwright answered. "We're still going to be primarily an undergraduate teaching institution while maintaining the level of research we've had in the past."
"Our vision and mission is still the same. It has not changed. If you think about growth and the opportunity to serve more people, that's changed," President Wheelwright said, adding that BYU-Hawaii is responding to "the growing needs of the Church in our target area."
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The next President's Council Question-and-Answer Forum is scheduled to be held on Thursday, September 4, at 7 a.m. in the Little Theater.