INCREASING MnSCU BACCALAUREATE DEGREE CONFERRAL

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1 FEBRUARY 2012 PLANNING FORUM DISCUSSION INCREASING MnSCU BACCALAUREATE DEGREE CONFERRAL METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY 700 East Seventh Street Saint Paul, MN

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Overview... Page 3 Positioning... Pages 4-6 Discussion/Group Exercise... Page 7 Strategy Worksheet.. Page 8 Next Steps... Page 9 P a g e 2

3 OVERVIEW It is of vital importance to Minnesota s economy that the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) significantly increase the number of baccalaureate degrees conferred in the Metro region. Seventy percent of Minnesota jobs will require some education beyond high school by 2018, yet only 40 percent of working-age adults in Minnesota hold a postsecondary degree. 1 Minnesota has already begun to experience the economic decompression caused by the gap between unfilled skilled jobs and the scarcity of workers prepared to fill those jobs. At the same time, Minnesota is experiencing compounding demographic changes, from an aging population projected to grow 225% by , to diverse populations that will grow 112% by More than half of Minnesota s residents live in the 7-county Twin Cities region, which is among the fastest growing regions in the Midwest and is predicted to grow by over onehalf million more residents by MnSCU is strategically positioned in the Metro region, with Metropolitan State University as a comprehensive urban university and with our community colleges and technical colleges. The component assets are in place to achieve greater synergies and system enhancements in support of the Chancellor s strategic goal of increasing the System s collective production of baccalaureate degrees in the Metro area. Metropolitan State University is pleased to present this proposal that draws upon the collective core competencies, unique strengths, and strategic program delivery capacity of the MnSCU institutions in the Metro region. This plan furthers MnSCU s competitive advantage, system capabilities, and brand position. The long-term outcomes will be the significantly increased rate and volume of baccalaureate degrees conferred among our ever more diverse populations and among learners of a broader range of ages and life experiences across our Twin Cities region Minnesota State Demographic Center, Minnesota Population Projections (Minnesota, June 2007), 1. 3 Minnesota State Demographic Center, Minnesota Population Projections by Race and Hispanic Origins (Minnesota, January 2009 OSD ), 1. 4 Metropolitan Council, 2030 Regional Development Framework - Revised Forecasts as of December 31, 2009 (Minnesota, December 31, 2009), 4. P a g e 3

4 POSITIONING METROPOLITAN STATE UNIVERSITY The Strategic Framework for Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (January 2012) provides the basis for the strategic Metro region proposal; Minnesota State Colleges and Universities play an essential role in growing Minnesota s economy and opening the doors of educational opportunity to all Minnesotans. The three major tenets of this strategic framework are listed below: Ensure Access to an Extraordinary Education for all Minnesotans Be the Partner of Choice to Meet Minnesota s Workforce and Community Needs Deliver to Students, Employers, Communities and Taxpayers the Highest Value/Most Affordable Option Metropolitan State University is uniquely prepared to ensure greater access to an extraordinary education for all, with emphasis upon providing increased access to baccalaureate degrees in the Twin Cities region. Metropolitan State University has the experience and commitment to serving students at several educational delivery sites, including our four main campuses and on our partner 2-year college campuses, which serves as the basis for further expanding the MnSCU educational platform Approved master plan for robust program delivery to the West Metro area and Twin Cities region The Individualized B.A. program is an extraordinary pathway for students in terms of flexibility, adaptability, and relevance Personalized advising and transfer assistance are distinctive advantages No achievement gap from access for under-served communities to completed degrees can provide scalable system capabilities for serving growing diverse populations The Circle of Engaged Learning designates faculty of courses with strong engaged learning components; listed on President Obama s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, with distinction Nationally recognized innovative approaches to teaching and learning Second highest average starting salaries of graduates in Minnesota (after U of M) Graduate education is competitively positioned to attract working adults and employers seeking long-term relationships with MnSCU, notably in professional sectors Innovative fully-online programs (undergraduate and graduate) and online support services Mission Metropolitan State University is a comprehensive urban university committed to meeting the higher education needs of the Twin Cities and greater metropolitan population. The university will provide accessible, high-quality liberal arts, professional, and graduate education to the citizens and communities of the metropolitan area, with continued emphasis on underserved groups, including adults and communities of color. Within the context of lifelong learning, the university will build on its national reputation for innovative studentcentered programs that enable students from diverse backgrounds to achieve their educational goals. The university is committed to academic excellence and community partnerships through curriculum, teaching, scholarship and services designed to support an urban mission. P a g e 4

5 POSITIONING CONT D In recent years, institutions of higher learning across America have sought to create models for greater partnerships with employers. These highlight the longstanding practices and partnerships Metropolitan State University has achieved and is prepared to scale up in order to further position itself and MnSCU as the partner of choice to meet the Metro region s workforce and human capital development needs. To that end, Metropolitan State has: Among the highest graduation rates of all universities in Minnesota. No achievement gap in graduation rates: the result of institutional culture, individualized operational delivery of academic and student services, and trusting relationships with diverse communities in the region. Employer-sensitive degree programs, such as the Schwan Company customized degree program and the Minnesota Association of City and County Employees customized Human Resources certificate program, are examples of how MnSCU is positioned to mount more scalable industryfocused baccalaureate skill-gap solutions in Minnesota. A skilled-workforce focus that drives College of Management s customized program delivery for the Minnesota Society of CPAs, the Master of Business Administration, and the Doctorate of Business Administration Other examples of workforce development degree programs, including baccalaureate degree-completion plans tailored to the unique professional preparation pathways that fire fighters and EMTs bring to university learning. This platform can be adapted to address other workforce sectors. Affordable on-line degree programs with best-in-class outcomes and online support services creating a competitive advantage. Individually-designed degrees, credit for military training, and online delivery are especially well-suited to military students, some of whom complete degrees while deployed. An unusually high proportion of students in work-related professional programs. Scheduling, programs, delivery systems, and services extraordinarily wellsuited to active participants in the workforce. Vision Metropolitan State University, a member of the Minnesota State College and University System, will be the premier urban, public, comprehensive System university in the Twin Cities metropolitan area and will provide highquality, affordable educational programs and services in a student-centered environment. The faculty, staff, and students of Metropolitan State will reflect the area's rich diversity, build an antiracist learning community, and demonstrate an unwavering commitment to civic engagement. P a g e 5

6 POSITIONING CONT D Metropolitan State University delivers to students, employers, communities and taxpayers the highest value and most affordable baccalaureate degree option. The University is best positioned as MnSCU s urban flagship university to bring to scale the following capabilities to broader audiences throughout the growing Twin Cities region. Lowest tuition (cf. U of M, privates colleges & universities, for-profit institutions of higher learning, and our lowest price-point among the MnSCU universities) Values Minimizing costs for students as pioneers in Credit for Prior Learning and Individualized degrees, which remains our largest degree program. Excellence Our transfer experts and transfer-friendly culture minimize the number of additional credits required to complete a degree. The IFO contract permits Metropolitan State to utilize a resident/community faculty mix, which energizes the educational experience for students, keeps our delivery model flexible and ultimately keeps costs lower for students. No extraneous overhead (e.g., child care, dorms, rec centers, athletics, stadiums) Leased educational sites preserve flexibility and future adaptability Metropolitan State offers the best CFI in the MnSCU system. Highest academic outcomes: quality indicators, Dashboard measures, ETS results [see Appendix] Diversity and Inclusion Engagement Open, respectful climate Integrity Fully developed and functioning administrative structure and student services in the Twin Cities. The cost-effective 2+2 model: for the system and for students. P a g e 6

7 DISCUSSION AND GROUP EXERCISE: STRATEGIES FOR INCREASING BACCALAUREATE DEGREES IN THE METRO AREA Goal: Position Metropolitan State University, Metro Alliance Colleges (MAC) and MnSCU as the provider of choice in an innovative and responsive baccalaureate completion / workforce-development model with an expanded delivery system for all learners and employers in the Metro region. [NOTE: The Chancellor also has challenged MnSCU presidents to make a non-transfer baccalaureate experience available in the Metro Area. How can we best respond?] Discussion and Group Exercise: [Use the worksheets at your table (sample below) to suggest broad strategies that Metropolitan State might pursue and how you think they could be accomplished. ] P a g e 7

8 STRATEGY WORKSHEET Discussion Question: What strategies can Metropolitan State University propose that would result in the expansion of baccalaureate degrees in the metro area? A. What would you like to see happen? PROPOSED STRATEGY: B. How would this be accomplished? PROPOSED INITIATIVES/ACTION STEPS: P a g e 8

9 NEXT STEPS MEET AND CONFER (FACULTY/STAFF/STUDENTS) FOR INPUT AND CONSULTATION ONGOING THROUGH THE CHANCELLOR S TIME FRAME (FEB.-APRIL) APPLY STRATEGY SCREENS DETERMINE FEASIBILITY OF DIFFERENT STRATEGIES CONSIDER RETURN ON INVESTMENT SELECT STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS NEGOTIATE RESOURCES CREATE AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (INCLUDING COMMUNICATION PLAN) BEGIN IMPLEMENTING PLAN EVALUATE AND ADJUST AS NEEDED OTHER? P a g e 9

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