Benefits of Collaboration Collaboration for mutual benefits is strongly encouraged. Institutions are expected to describe whether collaborating with other institutions is feasible. Regardless of whether collaboration is part of the proposed program, if an institution proposes to deliver a program that is already offered in the state, i.e., already exists in the official CBHE program inventory, the proposing institution should include its rationale for collaborating or for moving forward alone. The possibility of contractual and cost-sharing arrangements among institutions within and across sectors should be given consideration.

Distance-Based and Off-Site Programs Technology continues to have a major impact on the number of alternatives open to institutions in the design and delivery of academic programs. Proposals for distance-learning programs should be in alignment with the board's Principles of Good Practice for Distance Learning/Web-based Courses. In the case of proposals for off-site delivery, proposing institutions should work collaboratively by building on the inventory of available coursework within the locale and by utilizing the human resources and facilities of local providers to thereby reduce the costs associated with establishing new delivery sites.

The missions of the College of Engineering are to: Offer quality undergraduate programs that stress the fundamentals of engineering and its practice. Prepare graduates for an engineering career, advanced studies, or other professional paths. Provide quality graduate programs for students seeking strong research experiences in preparation for a professional, academic, or research career; as well as quality flexible graduate programs for students seeking professional enhancement. Pursue basic and applied research to generate new knowledge and create technical solutions to society's challenges. Serve the broader educational and professional engineering community. Vision: Excelling as a national leader in engineering education and research. Strategic Goals of the College of Engineering: 6. Pursue targeted areas of opportunity for the college. As an engineering college that is increasing its national visibility, we can have the greatest impact by focusing our limited faculty and funding resources in selected niche areas that exploit our current or potential strengths and have a significant impact on the nation. Benchmarks by 2012: Identify two or more areas of opportunity and obtain greater than $1M in research funds and/or establish academic offerings in those areas. Strategies include: Hold a series of summits at TTU over the next two years in areas of significant national importance. Invite speakers/panelists that include politicians, funding agency representatives, National Academy members, technical experts, and others to share their view of research and workforce needs in these areas. Identify topical areas for summits through a faculty proposal process coordinated by the Strategic Directions Committee. Start with a summit in the area of energy. Elucidate niche areas of opportunity by assessing the synergy that results between national needs and faculty interests. Invest in the resulting areas of opportunity t

Goal 4: Benefit from the use of technology in the delivery of services. Create technology infrastructure that provides easy collaborative interaction in a learning environment. Offer 12 degree programs through distance learning and 8% of total course inventory through distance learning. 75% of appropriate recruiting tools will be Internet-based. Objective 4.2: Integrate the use of technology in teaching and learning processes. Strategies: Engage faculty in how instruction is impacted by technology. Provide an appropriate infrastructure for distance learning. Assessments: Number of distance courses. Amount of external support. Number and capabilities of technology classrooms. Number of courses using technology. Objective 4.6: Increase the number of electronically delivered degree programs and courses. Strategies: Develop and implement additional electronically delivered courses and programs. Support faculty training for electronically delivered instruction. Support faculty training in the design and implementation of electronically delivered curriculum. Provide appropriate technological resources for electronically delivered instruction. Market electronically delivered courses and degree programs. Assessments: Number of electronically delivered courses. Number of electronically delivered degrees. Student enrollment.

Excerpts of Texas Tech University Strategic Plan Goal 5 Partnerships: Objective 5.4: Develop partnerships with other educational institutions. Strategies: Identify partnerships with other educational institutions, both nationally and internationally, that provide opportunities for external funding. Expand the Gateway Program. Expand the partnerships with Early Childhood - 12 schools. Expand the partnerships with post-secondary institutions. Market the partnership programs. Assessments: Number of inter-university partnerships. Number of K-12 partnerships. Number of post secondary institution partnerships. Number of students in the Gateway Program.