51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø

Goal 2

Provide high quality undergraduate education for traditional and non-traditional students

51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø offers a wide variety of academically excellent undergraduate programs ranging from vocational certificates to baccalaureate degrees. 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø must meet the challenges of fulfilling the general education as well as career preparation expectations of students. In order to improve undergraduate retention, 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø must continue to listen to its students and their communities and analyze their educational and extracurricular needs and interests. To respond with a high quality undergraduate experience at its urban and rural campuses for both traditional and non-traditional students, 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø will undertake the following by 2005:

1. Improve the overall quality of the undergraduate educational experience.
   1. Utilize ongoing assessment to refine and improve 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø’s core curriculum, majors and minors to ensure the delivery of the highest quality education in academic and vocational programs.
   2. Provide resources and incentives for faculty to enhance teaching methods, provide quality advising, use appropriate instructional technology, engage in distance delivery, and form collaborative relationships and programs among the various campuses and units.
   3. Encourage internships, research projects or community service as a part of each undergraduate program.
   4. Expand programs that foster academic excellence to provide exceptional opportunities for academically talented students (e.g., Honors Program, Alaska Scholars).
   5. Encourage students to participate in national and international study exchange programs, including those developed as part of 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø’s role as an academic gateway to the circumpolar north and north Pacific.
2. Improve the responsiveness of undergraduate education to student and community needs.
   1. Enhance such academic support services as developmental programs, learning assistance support centers and activities, mentoring and advising to support the retention of traditional and non-traditional students.
   2. Strengthen 51·çÁ÷¹ÙÍø’s commitment to rural areas and community work-force development by utilizing community campuses and outreach units to enhance delivery of programs and of access to them.
   3. Enhance use of evening classes plus asynchronous and distance delivery to provide access to educational programs for non-traditional and place- or time-bound students.
   4. Create or support community or profession-based advisory boards for all units and consult with them regularly.
   5. Provide non-academic programs and services that enhance the academic experience and success of undergraduate students.