Call for Concept Papers for the LSU Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) 2014-2019

• Overview of the QEP and Concept Papers
• Instructions for Submitting a Concept Paper
• Timeline for QEP Proposals
• Download PDF of Overview, Instructions and Timeline (57kb)

Overview of the QEP Concept Papers

The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a multi-year plan of action to improve student knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, or behaviors or to impact the learning environment.  It will include specific actions and programs designed to produce measurable improvements in the quality of undergraduate education at LSU.

Why is LSU developing a new QEP?
A new QEP is required with each reaffirmation of accreditation by SACSCOC (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges).  The first QEP at LSU was developed for the 2004 reaffirmation of accreditation and focused on the Communication Across the Curriculum (CxC) program, Residential Colleges, and the Summer Reading Program.  These programs have either been successful and institutionalized (CxC and Residential Colleges) or been unsuccessful and eliminated (Summer Reading Program).  Because the 2004 QEP has been completed, a new QEP must be developed.

Who is developing the QEP?
You are.  Concrete suggestions for programs that could be included in the new QEP are being solicited from the University community—working individually or as a group— through a two-round process.  Members of the University community are invited to submit brief concept papers (2-3 pages) to identify potential QEP topics.  A later round will invite individuals or groups selected for their concept papers to submit more comprehensive proposals.  

What is a concept paper?
A concept paper is a preliminary description of possible activities that will have a measurable positive impact on student learning at LSU. It provides an opportunity for the University community to contribute to campus-wide planning of projects and initiatives that could be included in the QEP.  The current call for concept papers is meant to elicit brief suggestions that will help the QEP team gauge the range and types of activities the University community would like to see implemented.
 
Who can submit a concept paper?
The QEP Team invites the University community to submit a concept paper.

 

Instructions for Concept Papers

You may email your concept paper to QEP@lsu.edu.  Your concept paper should be a document in MS Word or Word Perfect format, with a font size no smaller than 12 point.  The concept paper should not exceed three (3) pages and must include the following sections:

• Title:  Provide a short but descriptive title.

• Problem Statement: Briefly describe the area of student learning this project is intended to enhance.  Mention any available data indicating that students at LSU are deficient in this area.

• Articulation with Flagship Agenda: Indicate how these activities will address elements of the LSU Flagship 2020:  http://www.lsu.edu/flagshipagenda.

• Brief Description of the Proposed Activities:  Briefly describe the proposed activities and their expected impact on student learning.

• Measurable Goals and Outcomes for Student Learning:  What are the measurable student learning outcomes associated with these activities?

• Assessment Methods:  How will the University assess whether these activities are improving student learning outcomes?

• Rough Timeline for Implementation:  What steps or phases would be required to implement and assess these activities?  How long would this take?

• Estimated Resources Required:  What additional staffing, faculty or staff training, equipment, or other resources would be needed to implement this plan?

• Information about the Individual(s) or Group(s) submitting the Proposal: Name, Title/Rank, Department/Unit, E-mail address, Phone Number.

 

Timeline for QEP Proposals

Date	Activity
Feb 17, 2012	A broadcast e-mail will go out requesting that interested members from the University community—working individually or as a group—submit a short (2-3 pages) concept paper
March 23, 2012	Concept paper deadline
April 2, 2012	Invitation to individuals or groups for full QEP proposals from selected concept papers
April 30, 2012	Full QEP proposal deadline
Week of May 1, 2012	A QEP sub-team will make the decision regarding the QEP topic and notify the individuals or groups of their selections
Summer 2012	The QEP Team will work with individuals or groups to develop the proposals more fully