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Call for Engaged Learning Group Pre-Proposals

As a part of Baylor University's Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) to strengthen scholarly engagement and to enhance research experiences for our undergraduates, the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost invites pre-proposals for the 2009-11 Engaged Learning Groups (ELGs).

Deadline for submission: November 24, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

I. Overview

ELGs are team-taught disciplinary or multi-disciplinary seminars for freshman and sophomore students. ELG faculty teach three one- or two-hour seminars during the course of three semesters. The seminars begin in the fall of the students' freshman year (fall 2010) and continue through fall of their sophomore year (fall 2011). Students who complete all seminars successfully earn at least three credit hours. Depending on the students' majors, they may be able to substitute those hours for a general education course. The fourth semester of the ELG is an optional research capstone, and during that time, students may pursue independent research projects with ELG faculty or other faculty working on projects related to the ELG's theme. ELGs are residential in nature. The freshmen live together in Kokernot Residence Hall. Some ELGs require a second year of residence in Brooks Flats or the North Village but second-year residency is optional.

The four goals of the ELG Program are to:

1. Increase student-faculty contact;

2. Emphasize active learning;

3. Facilitate cooperative learning; and

4. Increase the number of undergraduate students engaging in research.

II. Eligibility requirements

A. ELG faculty teams consist of one or more full-time faculty or full-time staff with part-time faculty appointments.

B. ELG faculty teams will designate one individual to serve as the ELG director.

C. Visiting faculty and postdoctoral fellows are not eligible to participate in an ELG faculty team.

III. Pre-proposal format and content

A. Pre-proposals should be single-spaced and not exceed two pages.

B.A complete pre-proposal consists of the following:

1. Participants: Names and positions of ELG leadership team.

2. Project Overview: ELGs are innovative learning communities that are intentionally designed to increase student-faculty interaction as well as academically-oriented peer-to-peer engagement. An ELG must have a coherent, well-defined intellectual focus that provides a cohort experience for student participants. Identify the academic theme of the ELG and provide a brief overview of the three ELG seminars and optional research capstone. Include a description of how the leadership team will coordinate teaching each seminar.

3. Learning Outcomes: List at least two learning outcomes for each ELG seminar. Briefly describe how achievement of these outcomes will be assessed. For tips on outcome articulation, please refer to the Institutional Effectiveness Assessment website.

4. Possible Course Credit: If you could have it your way, how would your ELG count on a student's degree plan? Please note that all final proposals must include curriculum action forms (CAFs) and the requisite supporting documentation. ELG course substitution decisions are made by each school and college.

5. Research: Briefly describe the types of research projects that students might pursue during the capstone.

6. ELG Environment: Describe existing academic and student life programs and activities, if any that will complement and enhance ELG activities. Identify unique interests and capabilities of ELG core leadership and other key personnel.

7. Out of Class Activities: Out-of-class activities will vary according to the theme and specific aims of each ELG, but are a requirement in all ELGs. Describe specific out-of-class activities and discuss how each enhances student engagement, facilitates student-faculty interaction, and builds scholarly rapport among student participants.

IV. Program parameters

A. This ELG project period is fall semester 2010 through spring semester 2012.

B. New this year is the opportunity to propose a small (fewer than 19 students) or traditional (20-49 students) ELG. Note that small ELGs may be directed by a single faculty member; traditional ELGs require at least two faculty directors.

C. The maximum two-year budget for small ELGs will be $21,000 for direct costs only. The maximum two-year budget for traditional ELGs will be $54,000 for direct costs only. No budget information is required at the pre-proposal stage, but please notes that funds may be requested for the following:

1. Faculty incentives. At the discretion of ELG core leadership, such incentives may take the form of supplemental pay, summer salary, funds for professional travel not related to the ELG, and/or laboratory support funds.

2. Graduate assistant stipends and/or student wages

3. Operating expenses (e.g., curriculum materials, publications, laboratory and field supplies, poster production costs, speakers, conferences, meals)

4. Travel specific to the objectives of the ELG

5. Other expenses, only after specific prior approval

D. Preference will be given to ELG pre-proposals that demonstrate tangible departmental and/or school support. Such support may be shown in a variety of ways, including matching funds (e.g., the department provides $10K to the ELG during the course of the two years), course releases for the ELG faculty (e.g., providing a one course release to one or more ELG faculty during the two years of the program) or external support. For more information about how departments have successfully supported ELGs in the past, please contact Ian_Gravagne@baylor.edu.

V. Submission procedures

A. Faculty who are submitting a pre-proposal should confer with their chairs and deans about their plans. Formal approval by all involved chairs and deans will be required at the full proposal stage.

B. The deadline for submission is November 24, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.

C. All pre-proposals should be emailed to Ian_Gravagne@baylor.edu.

D. The ELG Selection Committee will announce finalists on Wednesday, December 9, 2009. Finalists will prepare full proposals that will be due on Friday, January 29, 2010.